First Literacy Awarded $200,000 Grant from the Manton Foundation
BOSTON, MA – First Literacy is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Manton Foundation. The grant will enable First Literacy to continue its impactful work making education accessible by funding innovative projects geared to teaching adults essential skills, awarding scholarships to adult learners continuing to higher education, and providing free evidence-based training and materials for Adult Basic Education teachers.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Manton Foundation for its continued investment in First Literacy and its commitment to adult education,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director. “This additional two years of funding will allow us to continue expanding opportunities for adult learners and the educators who support them. We deeply appreciate the Manton Foundation’s partnership and the confidence it places in our mission.”
This continued funding will allow First Literacy to maintain its Scholar Support Coordinator position, providing dedicated support to scholars by advocating for their needs and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed.
Since the Scholarship Program began in 1990, First Literacy has awarded nearly 700 scholarships to adult learners throughout Massachusetts. Awards are given in recognition of educational achievements and potential, community service, and perseverance in the face of hardship. Eligibility is based on a nomination from the student’s Adult Basic Education program, acceptance to a college or training program, and proof of financial need.
The grant will also allow First Literacy to continue to provide more free professional development workshops to adult educators and fund more innovative Adult Basic Education programs. Awarding more funding to innovative new programs will serve as a vital catalyst for creative, responsive solutions to the challenges adult learners face. Furthermore, additional support for First Literacy’s “teach the teacher” model, will create a multiplier effect that will extend reach beyond the participants directly served.
“Our innovation grants and free workshops for educators are essential to reaching adult learners in some of the most vulnerable communities across Massachusetts,” said Annie Sferrazza, First Literacy Program Director. “The funding from the Manton Foundation allows us to extend our reach while addressing a wide range of needs—from building literacy skills among parents and their children to strengthening workplace English and helping adult learners explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education, 54% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 74 read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. In Massachusetts, 17% of adults are considered at risk for difficulties using and comprehending print material. Additionally, roughly 16,000 adults are stuck on waiting lists due to program capacity and funding limits.