We Need Diverse Books has opened applications for its Books Save Lives Grants, providing up to $10,000 in diverse titles to school libraries. Schools located in districts most impacted by book bans and censorship will be prioritized. The grants stipulate that the awarded books must remain on shelves for a minimum of four years.
"As part of the grant process, WNDB is providing a broad list of diverse titles that have been vetted by our team," WNDB executive director Caroline Richmond told PW. "We can work with the grant recipients one-on-one to select books that will best serve their community, and we can provide resources and support if the school library faces objections."
The Books Save Lives Grants are one part of WNDB’s three-pronged campaign to combat book censorship, introduced during the launch of its Books Save Lives campaign in December, which also includes providing resources to local grassroots organizations fighting book bans and supporting authors with banned books via purchases and classroom visits.
Applications can be submitted by educators and community members, and may be submitted anonymously. The grant must be accepted by school administrators. More details are available here.
