Early Language and Literacy Mini-Grant Program

On August 10, 2017, GOSA launched the Early Language and Literacy Mini-Grant Program, a grant opportunity designed to invest in community partnerships to support efforts to improve the early language and literacy development of Georgia’s young children. The mini-grants grants provide an opportunity to build community coalitions focused on this work.

The Early Language and Literacy Mini-Grant Program, a joint effort between GOSA and the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College, was designed to support collaborative partnerships in projects targeting birth to age eight language and literacy development needs.  These community partnerships may include childcare centers, public and private Pre-Ks, primary grades of elementary schools, local service agencies, and local nonprofits. 

In this program, grants were awarded in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to support innovative projects that develop or strengthen community initiatives targeting at least one of the four pillars of the Get Georgia Reading Campaign: 

  • Language Nutrition,
  • Access,
  • Positive Learning Climate, and
  • Teacher Preparation and Effectiveness.  

The Center’s mission is to improve Georgia’s literacy rate for children from birth to age eight, provide support for educators in K-3 classrooms, child care centers, and preschools through professional learning and training.  The Center will also work with universities, technical college early childhood education programs, alternative educator preparation programs, and other public and private stakeholders to engage the communities at large across the state.

Award Winners

On January 22, 2018, Governor Deal announced the Early Language and Literacy Mini-Grant award winners.  Download this pdf file. Click here to view a list of the winning grant proposals.  

Evaluation Report

On April 3, 2019, GOSA released the Download this pdf file. Early Language & Literacy Mini-Grant Program Evaluation report . The evaluation report provides an overview of the grant program and features three case studies of the impact of the mini-grants.