Nonprofit receives $100,000 grant from Library of Congress
Photo courtesy of Literacy Center of West Michigan
The Literacy Center of West Michigan received a $100,000 national prize from the Library of Congress for providing free literacy instruction to adults throughout West Michigan. The organization was named the 2026 recipient of the Kislak Family Foundation Prize as part of the Library of Congress Literacy Awards.
Founded in 1986, Literacy Center of West Michigan serves 1,300 learners annually. Rather than provide classes in isolation, the Literacy Center of West Michigan designs their education programs around specific gaps and priorities identified by their adult students who wish to improve economic growth, confidence and ability to navigate society. English language programs are delivered at workplaces with the support of employers; family literacy programs are embedded in schools and early childhood programs; health literacy programs are provided at clinics in partnership with medical providers; and basic English, reading and citizenship classes are offered through community-based classes.
Other top 2026 Library of Congress Literacy Awards recipients include Projeto Uerê in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which received the $150,000 David M. Rubenstein Prize; Read Alliance in New York City, which received the $50,000 American Prize; and The Nal’ibali Trust in Cape Town, South Africa, which received the $50,000 International Prize. The Library of Congress also recognized 12 organizations as Successful Practices Honorees with $10,000 awards and five Emerging Strategies Honorees with $5,000 awards.
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.
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