Struggling with literacy as an adult can lead to long-term negative consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities. Approximately 21% of the adults (ages 15+) in states served by the Trust struggle with reading, writing, and basic math skills, affecting their ability to function effectively in their daily lives, achieve their goals, and develop their knowledge and potential.
The Trust supports Adult Literacy through a comprehensive approach for Adult Basic Education, which often includes basic math understanding, computer literacy, GED preparation, English as a Second Language support, and basic job-skills training alongside traditional literacy supports. The Trust may provide funding for programs that:
- Train Adult Literacy or Adult Basic Education tutors
- Develop new tools to support adult learners
- Support programs to provide Adult Basic Education in conjunction with support for childhood literacy programming
Grants in this area are by invitation only, and sizes vary depending on the capacity of the applying organization and the scope and reach of the proposed project.
Featured Grant in Adult Literacy: ProLiteracy
The Kenan Trust supported ProLiteracy’s Navigating Success program by expanding services to 20 additional literacy partners in Upstate and Western New York. The program deploys skilled lead facilitators to conduct training sessions for literacy tutors, emphasizing advanced-skills development and the latest methodologies, equipping tutors with the tools to support low-literacy individuals.
Adult students use Learning Upgrade, an app that teaches reading, math, English, and financial literacy. The app broadens the accessibility of lessons outside of formal tutoring time, and it allows tutors to view a student’s progress in real time and create customized lessons according to the student’s progress.
