Wilmington, Delaware – 07/24/24 – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Literacy Delaware a $8,000 grant to support adult foundational literacy.  This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s more than $10.6 million donated to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates. With today’s grants, the DGLF also surpasses helping more than 20 million individuals achieve their educational dreams since its inception in 1993.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been an unwavering partner in supporting our program. They readily back our new initiatives to serve adults with literacy struggles more effectively and to serve more adults” Literacy Delaware Executive Director Cindy Shermeyer stresses.

For 42 years, Literacy Delaware has trained volunteers to tutor adults struggling with reading or English language skills. Two years ago, the organization started an AmeriCorps program to build capacity and outreach. The grant from DGLF will help support updating their operational model to include a classroom framework in partnership with the Delaware Division of Libraries.

“We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals. We hope these funds provide resources needed to positively change students’ lives, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam.  Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.

About Literacy Delaware

Believing that literacy is the great equalizer, Literacy Delaware advances literacy through training, tutoring, English language acquisition and advocacy for all Delawareans.  Since 1983, Literacy Delaware has trained volunteers to tutor adults with low literacy or English language skills. For more information on Literacy Delaware’s services, visit www.literacydelaware.org or call 302.658.5624.

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $250 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 21.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.