2017 Awarded Grants
In our ninth year of operation, the Snapdragon Book Foundation was quite pleased to receive over 500 applications from public, private, and charter schools from almost every state in the country. This was our most competitive year yet! Grants ranging from $1000 to over $15,000 have been awarded to the deserving schools below. Winners will be additionally notified via email. We apologize for not being able to give specific feedback on proposals and hope that you’ll consider reapplying next year. We’ll keep making additional changes and additions to our website over the course of the year, too, so check back for our soon-to-be-announced 2017 “Next Up” school, some video tours of our awarded schools and to sign up for our newsletter. The 2018 application will be available on the website on January 1, 2018. Have a great summer, everyone!
San Antonio Elementary School
Huntington Park, CA
The Winter/Summer Reading Project
The Winter/Summer Project will make Snapdragon books available to students through a special section of a classroom library during long recess breaks when school library books cannot be accessed!
Nathan Hale Middle School
Crestwood, IL
Collection Reboot
Nathan Hale Middle School will undergo a comprehensive collection update with the goal to inspire, close gaps and broaden student exposure to fiction and nonfiction – from fairy and folk tales to award winners to STEAM books.
Lynwood Elementary School
Novato, CA
Families Reading Together
Lynwood Elementary School will increase the size of the Spanish language section in order to support families reading to their children at home in Spanish.
Video project update from Lynwood Elementary School:
Monte Vista High School
Spring Valley, CA
Voices of the Disenfranchised
Monte Vista High School will expand their offerings of texts to highlight books featuring groups that are often disenfranchised, specifically youths from the LGBTQ, African-American, Hispanic, and Arab communities, as well as recent immigrants of all statuses so that every student can see his/her experiences reflected in reading materials and learn about others.
Video project update from Monte Vista High School:
Pocomoke Elementary School
Pocomoke City, MD
Readers to Leaders: Extinguishing Generational Proverty One Book, One Child at a Time
The Pocomoke Elementary School library’s worn, outdated book collection will be revitalized and renewed through the purchase of exciting, current, culturally responsive and high interest reading selections across genres, grades and personal preferences of students. Books will be carefully selected with regard to student interest and equitable accessibility to 21st Century themes, topics and educational needs!
Video project update from Pocomoke Elementary School
First Flight High School
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Own Voices Reading: Honoring & Reflecting Students’ Authentic Experiences Through Literature
Students at First Flight High School will help develop their own classroom library by selecting books that represent their “own voices,” and books to expand the poetry and nonfiction sections of the classroom library.
Brodhead Elementary School
Brodhead, KY
MY Library
Students at Brodhead Elementary School will be involved in the selection of new books to develop the library collection, leaving their legacy at the school through the book they select for the collection.
Video Project Update from Brodhead Elementary School:
Whispering Pines School
Miramar, FL
Something for Everyone
Whispering Pines School will be upgrading, updating and enhancing their collection so that there is something for everyone: new fun biographies, new high-low fiction, chapter books, series, and books related to out-of-school interests!
Chimborazo Elementary School
Richmond, VA
Relax And Read
This project will help Chimborazo Elementary School build their collection to include upper level fiction chapter books, graphic novels, sports books, and more up-to-date biographies to build empathy and become interested and avid readers.
The Judy and Ray McCaskey Preschool at The Chicago Lighthouse
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Lighthouse: Books and Reading for All
The first and only school in the Midwest where at-risk children who are blind, visually impaired, or sighted learn in a blended environment, this project will help The Chicago Lighthouse Preschool purchase high-quality hardcover and tactile materials (in Braille and large-print) for at-risk pre-schoolers.
Video project update from The Chicago Lighthouse Preschool:
Blessed Stephen Bellesini, OSA Academy, Inc.
Lawrence, MA
Girls’ School Library Expansion
Formerly a Boys’ School, Blessed Stephen Bellesini, OSA Academy, will develop their collection for the young women who now also attend the school, as well as expand their existing collection for all students.