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Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Annual Giving
$19.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19,083,119 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (varies by grant cycle)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $10,000
  • Geographic Focus: 48 U.S. states where Dollar General operates (within 15 miles of a Dollar General store)
  • Registered Charity Number: 62-1546736

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
100 Mission Ridge
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Phone Numbers:

  • Foundation Questions: (615) 855-5201
  • Program Referrals: (877) 389-6874

Website: www.dgliteracy.org

Grant Application Portal: grantprograms.dgliteracy.org

Overview

Established in 1993 by Cal Turner and Cal Turner Jr. to honor Dollar General's co-founder J.L. Turner (who had only a third-grade education), the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has become one of the nation's leading corporate literacy foundations. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $275 million through over 30,000 grants, positively impacting more than 23.8 million individuals in their pursuit of literacy, GED credentials, and English proficiency.

The Foundation's mission is "serving others through basic education grants which positions persons for excellence." Operating across the 48 states where Dollar General has stores, the Foundation focuses on three key priorities: increasing access to literacy programs, enhancing the quality of instruction, and inspiring and advancing innovation in literacy education. In 2023, the Foundation received multiple prestigious awards including the World Literacy Awards' Significant Contribution by an Organization, the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's Literacy Champion Award, and the Coalition on Adult Basic Education's Legacy Leadership Award.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Adult Literacy Grants - Up to $10,000
Awards funding to nonprofit organizations providing direct literacy services to adults in one of three areas: adult basic education, GED or high school equivalency preparation, or English language acquisition. Application cycle: January-February annually.

Youth Literacy Grants - Up to $5,000
Supports schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations helping K-12 students below grade level or struggling with reading. Funds may be used for implementing or expanding literacy programs, purchasing technology/equipment, or acquiring books, materials, and software. Application cycle: March-April annually.

Summer Reading Grants - Up to $3,000
Supports creation or expansion of summer reading programs for pre-K through 12th-grade students, with priority for new readers, below grade-level readers, and students with learning disabilities. Application cycle: January-February annually.

Family Literacy Grants - Up to $10,000
Comprehensive family literacy programs must include three components: adult education instruction, children's education, and parent-child interactive learning activities. Application cycle: January-February annually.

Beyond Words: School Library Relief Program - Amount varies
Disaster relief grants for K-12 public school libraries that have suffered substantial damage or hardship from natural disasters, fires, or federally recognized acts of terrorism. Libraries must apply within 36 months of the disaster. Applications accepted on a rolling basis at grantprograms.dgliteracy.org.

Priority Areas

  • Adult basic education and GED preparation
  • English language acquisition for non-native speakers
  • K-12 literacy programs for struggling or below-grade-level readers
  • Summer reading programs to prevent learning loss
  • Family literacy that engages multiple generations
  • Technology and equipment that support literacy instruction
  • Professional development for literacy educators
  • Disaster recovery for school libraries

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations located more than 15 miles from a Dollar General store or distribution center
  • Organizations in states where Dollar General does not operate
  • Indirect service expenses or administrative fees
  • General operating expenses unrelated to direct literacy services
  • Programs without measurable literacy outcomes
  • Three consecutive years of Youth Literacy or Summer Reading grants (due to "Two Year Rule")

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Denine Torr serves as Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. She leads strategic development and execution of national, regional, and local philanthropic programs across Dollar General's 18,000+ store communities. In 2018, she was recognized with the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Crystal Apple Award.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

"For over 30 years, the Foundation has been investing in literacy and basic education programs in our hometown communities," - Denine Torr, Executive Director (May 2025)

"We understand investing in youth literacy means investing in the future of students and our collective communities," - Denine Torr (2024)

"Today's grant announcement is a celebration of our unwavering commitment to student and teacher success. We are grateful to all the grant recipients for their commitment to advancing education and helping students thrive." - Denine Torr

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted only during designated grant cycles through the online portal at grantprograms.dgliteracy.org. Applicants must create an account with their email address during open application periods.

Important Application Requirements:

  • Organizations must verify their nonprofit status, which can take up to 48 hours - do not wait until the deadline to start this process
  • Provide organizational ID number (NCES for schools, IMLS for libraries, or IPEDS for colleges)
  • All correspondence from the Foundation is sent via USPS regular mail
  • Checks are made out to the organization listed in the application
  • Multiple applications allowed if organization qualifies for multiple grant categories

2026 Application Deadlines

Adult, Family, and Summer Reading Literacy Grants:

  • Application Period: January 8 - February 5, 2026
  • Grant Announcement: May 8, 2026

Youth Literacy Grants:

  • Application Period: March 5 - April 2, 2026
  • Grant Announcement: September 10, 2026

Beyond Words (Disaster Relief):

  • Rolling basis at grantprograms.dgliteracy.org

Decision Timeline

The Foundation follows a consistent annual schedule:

  • Spring Cycle: Applications submitted in January-February; decisions announced in May (approximately 3 months)
  • Youth Cycle: Applications submitted in March-April; decisions announced in September (approximately 4-5 months)
  • Complete lists of funded organizations are published on www.dgliteracy.org on announcement dates

Success Rates

While specific acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed, recent data shows:

  • May 2025: Awarded $13.2 million to approximately 1,000+ organizations (Adult, Family, Summer Reading)
  • August 2025: Awarded $3.5 million to 700+ organizations (Youth Literacy)
  • May 2024: Awarded $10.6 million to nearly 1,100 organizations
  • August 2024: Awarded $4 million to 730+ organizations

The Foundation has shown steady growth in grant-making, with 488 awards in 2024 compared to 446 awards in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Adult and Family Literacy Grants: No restriction on consecutive years of funding. Organizations may apply and receive grants year after year.

Summer Reading and Youth Literacy Grants: "Two Year Rule" applies - organizations receiving grants for two consecutive years are ineligible to apply in the third year. After sitting out one year, they may reapply.

All Programs: Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent grant cycles with no waiting period.

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation's application materials and FAQ:

Use Quantitative Data, Not Qualitative Descriptions The Foundation explicitly states: "Avoid using ambiguous phrases such as 'satisfied, improved, enhanced, etc.' to define success. Use quantitative, not qualitative data to report results." Include specific metrics such as number of participants, reading level improvements, test score increases, or program completion rates.

Focus on Direct Service Expenses Only "Only direct service expenses related to the literacy project outlined in the proposal will be considered. Indirect service expenses or administrative expenses/fees will not be funded." Ensure every budget line item directly supports literacy instruction or program delivery.

Provide Detailed Budget Justification The budget narrative must align with the total amount requested from the Foundation and should "provide detailed description of how DGLF requested funding will be spent." Explain the rationale for each expense and how it contributes to literacy outcomes.

Verify Geographic Eligibility Early Organizations must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center. Use the store locator on dollargeneral.com to verify proximity before investing time in the application. The Foundation recommends not waiting until the deadline to start verification, as it can take up to 48 hours.

Apply for Multiple Categories if Eligible "If your organization has programs that qualify for multiple grant categories, you can apply for more than one grant type." For example, an organization with an adult literacy program and a summer youth program could apply for both Adult Literacy and Summer Reading grants in the same year.

Demonstrate Community Impact Recent grant announcements emphasize impact on "hometown communities." Successful applications should articulate how the program serves the local community where the Dollar General store is located and ties literacy to community wellbeing.

Align with Foundation Priorities The Foundation emphasizes three areas: increasing access to literacy programs, enhancing quality of instruction, and advancing innovation. Applications should explicitly address how the proposed project advances one or more of these priorities.

Include Professional Development When Appropriate Youth Literacy grants specifically mention professional development as a fundable expense. Applications that include teacher training or staff development in literacy instruction may be well-received.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic proximity is non-negotiable: Verify you are within 15 miles of a Dollar General store before applying; this is a strict eligibility requirement that cannot be waived.

  • Start verification process early: Account creation and nonprofit verification can take up to 48 hours, so begin well before the deadline.

  • Measurement matters more than narrative: Replace descriptive language with quantitative metrics; the Foundation explicitly values measurable outcomes over qualitative assessments.

  • Budget transparency is critical: Every dollar requested must be tied to direct literacy services with clear justification; administrative or indirect costs are not funded.

  • Consider multiple applications strategically: Organizations with programs in different categories (e.g., adult and youth) can submit multiple applications in the same year, but be mindful of the Two Year Rule for youth programs.

  • Align with the founder's legacy: The Foundation was created to honor J.L. Turner's experience with limited education; applications that acknowledge this mission and demonstrate commitment to underserved learners may resonate.

  • Focus on one of three priority areas: Clearly state whether your program increases access, enhances quality of instruction, or advances innovation in literacy education - these are the Foundation's stated strategic priorities.

References

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