Thursday, May 15, 2008

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Promotes Literacy with $4.9 Million in Grants

BUSINESS WIRE--The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is awarding grants totaling $4.9 million to 327 nonprofit organizations in the fight against illiteracy.

More than 44 million adults in the U.S., which is the equivalent of the entire population of Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico and New York, read at the lowest level of literacy, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation aims to reduce that number every year. This years grants will serve approximately 75,000 individuals and families living in the 35 states where Dollar General operates stores. The grants support outreach to low-level literacy adults and their families. Adult basic education, GED preparation, English as a second language, family literacy and workforce literacy are among the initiatives supported by these grants.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to help our neighbors learn to read and improve their education through these grants, said Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling. Each grant recipient is doing tremendous work, offering hope to those who want to better their own lives through literacy and education. We are delighted to make the educational dreams of others a reality through our grant programs.

Since its inception, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $24.5 million. In addition to cash grants, Dollar Generals Learn to Read free literacy referral program has directed more than 50,000 individuals to organizations in their respective communities that help people learn to read.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation accepts proposals on an annual basis. The Foundation will begin accepting 2009 program proposals online on January 5, 2009. Proposals must be submitted by March 6, 2009. To receive future requests for proposals, send your organization's name, a contact name and mailing address to The Dollar General Literacy Foundation, P.O. Box 1064, Goodlettsville, TN 37072-1064. For more information on the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or for a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dollargeneral.com.

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