The Mind Trust invests $20,000 to launch Go Farther Literacy Project for Indianapolis families and students
Funds will be awarded directly to families to implement projects that promote student literacy
INDIANAPOLIS – (March 3, 2021) — The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit, today announced the launch of the Go Farther Literacy Project, a new, pilot program to help Indianapolis families ensure their children can read at or above grade level. Through the initiative, The Mind Trust will invest $20,000 in projects that promote literacy, with awards ranging between $150 to $5,000 going directly to Indianapolis families and community organizations.
About 1 in 6 Hoosier adults read at or below a fifth-grade level. According to the Indiana State Board of Education’s recent Student Achievement Report, gaps among students begin to show as early as third-grade when it comes to reading abilities. The report’s research finds that students who are not at or above grade-level reading proficiency in third grade are four times as likely to drop out of high school or not graduate on time. Data from this report also revealed that Black students are disproportionately affected.
“With the Go Farther Literacy Project, The Mind Trust aims to support literacy ideas that come from individuals in the communities most directly impacted,” said Patrick Jones, Senior Vice President of Leadership and Equity at The Mind Trust. “This initiative will complement the efforts of schools and traditional tutoring services, and serve as additional sources of literacy solutions in our city. These funds can help Indianapolis families and students go farther (physically and figuratively) academically and beyond, helping them realize their full potential to create a lasting impact for their family and community.”
Applicants can be anyone who lives in Indianapolis, is the parent, guardian or family member of children who attend a public school in Indianapolis or is a student who attends a public charter school, district-run school or Indianapolis Public School Innovation Network School in Indianapolis. Organization partners serving Indianapolis students may also apply, however parents and community members will receive priority.
Because The Mind Trust is investing in the autonomy of families to drive outcomes, applicants are encouraged to be creative and think about solutions that work for their household or community. Examples of potential projects include: starting a home or community library, creating a book drive, hiring tutoring services, or planning a literacy event with guest readers. Funds may be used to cover costs of supplies, books, materials, space, people’s time, hardware, software, or other items needed to support students’ learning.
Projects may be done in-person or virtually. All projects should be implemented by the end of December 2021. The application deadline is March 31, 2021. Interested applicants can apply online and find application resources at themindtrust.org/gofarther.
“The Mind Trust is proud to be investing directly in ideas to increase literacy from families, students, and community members,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. “Directly supporting ideas from families is one way we can ensure equitable access to resources and fund ideas that originate from those most impacted. We believe these funds can be a powerful tool to help students improve reading skills that will be an important foundation for future success.”
This fund is modeled after Educate78’s and Educator Converters’: People’s Literacy Fund in Oakland, CA.
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About The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust is an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit that works to build a system of schools that gives every student in Indianapolis, no exceptions, access to a high-quality education. The Mind Trust does this by building a supportive environment for schools through policy and community engagement, empowering talented, diverse educators to launch new schools, and providing existing schools with the support they need to hire world-class talent and achieve excellence. Since 2006, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of 38 schools, 14 education nonprofit organizations, and has helped place more than 1,600 teachers and school leaders in Indianapolis classrooms. More information can be found at themindtrust.org.