Via press release
Applications are open for the 2015 Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Banned Books Week event grants, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF). Organizations are encouraged to apply for grants of $1,000 and/or $2,500 in support of activities celebrating Banned Books Week (Sept. 27–Oct. 3, 2015).
Applications for the grants will be accepted through May 1, 2015.
The Freedom to Read Foundation is an official sponsor of Banned Books Week. The theme for 2015 Banned Books Week is Young Adult literature; however, applicants for Krug Fund grants are not required to include the theme in their planning. All ideas are welcome and encouraged!
This is the sixth year Krug Fund Banned Books Week event grants will be given. A total of 35 grants have been given to libraries, schools, universities and community groups to support a wide variety of engaging, provocative and fun events celebrating the freedom to read. Check out photos and videos from last year’s events at www.ftrf.org/?BBW2014. Photos from all 35 projects at are available on FTRF’s Facebook page and Flickr stream; more information about all the funded events can be found at www.ftrf.org/?Krug_BBW.
Organizations are required to submit an event description, timeline and budget with their application; they also will agree to provide a written report, photos and video from their event(s) to FTRF following Banned Books Week. Only not-for-profit organizations may apply, although they need not have official 501(c)3 status. Detailed grant guidelines are available on theapplication page.
Note: Organizations that received 2014 grants are ineligible to apply for 2015 grants. Organizations that received grants prior to 2014 are eligible.
For more information on Banned Books Week, challenges to materials in libraries and schools and resources for combating censorship, visit FTRF’s Banned Books Week page and ALA’s page. A compendium of thousands of books that have been banned and challenged can be found in the 2014 “Banned Books Resource Guide,” available through the ALA Store. You also can purchase Banned Books Week posters, buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, bracelets and tote bags there.
Contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org with questions, or call (800) 545-2433, ext.4226.
Judith F. Krug, FTRF’s first executive director, was one of the founders of Banned Books Week. After her death, the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund was established to guarantee that the message of Banned Books Week, and her passion for intellectual freedom education, would continue to spread and grow around the United States. Click here to make a contribution to the Krug Fund in support of its ongoing work.
