Founded in 1989, as the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy is a nonprofit national grant making organization. The organization aims to support unmet family literacy needs.

Examples of work include:

• Adult Literacy and GED Preparation Grants
  • Local and national organizations that help adults improve reading, writing, and math skills, earn high school equivalency credentials, and advance toward employment or further education.
  • Example of grantee: ProLiteracy Adult Education Grants.
• Family Literacy Programs
  • Programs that serve parents and children together, strengthening adult literacy while supporting children’s early language development and school readiness.
  • Example of grantee: Reach Out and Read Partnership Grants.
• Military Family Literacy Initiatives
  • Organizations serving military families, focusing on literacy, educational stability, and workforce readiness for service members and spouses.
  • Example of grantee: Operation Homefront Literacy Support.
• Correctional Literacy Programs:
  • Literacy and education programs in correctional settings to improve reading skills, support reentry, and reduce recidivism through education.
  • Example of grantee: The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) Family Literacy Support.
• Early Childhood Literacy & Parent Engagement
  • Programs that equip parents and caregivers with tools to support children’s literacy development from birth through early elementary years.
  • Example of grantee: PBS LiteracyLink Initiative.
• National Literacy Capacity Building:
  • Nonprofit literacy providers through funding, convenings, and shared resources to strengthen program quality and reach.
  • Example of convening: National Family Literacy Summit.

Resources

Taylor, J. (2025, November 6). Barbara Bush’s Family Literacy Mission to Continue in New Initiative. East Wing Magazine. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://www.eastwingmagazine.com/p/barbara-bushs-family-literacy-mission.