National Book Foundation: Innovations in Reading Prize

The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America.

Since 2009, the National Book Foundation has awarded the Innovations in Reading Prize to an individual or organization that inspires readers and engages new audiences with literature. From bicycle-powered libraries that serve Portland, OR’s homeless community to empowering Harry Potter fans to build libraries around the world, the Innovations in Reading Prize recognizes literary activists who share the National Book Foundation’s aims to engage readers from all backgrounds.

The Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize honors individuals or institutions, or partnerships between the two, that have developed an innovative project which creates and sustains a lifelong love of reading in the community they serve.

All U.S. citizens and institutions are eligible for this prize. Examples of previous winners include:

• after-school and community-based programs;
• nonprofit organizations such as museums and libraries; and,
• startups focused on reading and literature.

One winner receives a $10,000 prize. Four honorable mentions are also selected.

Applicants should share the Foundation's mission to expand the audience for literature in America. (Programs should focus on reading, and not exclusively literacy skills.)

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