Before we start gazing I want to make a correction to a piece I wrote for our January company newsletter, The Improve Groove. I have been notified that the Herbalife Family Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited grant requests. My sincere apologies to our readers and to the Herbalife Foundation. I did check my sources but they were not updated. I will be even more watchful in the future.

Now for today’s topic - literacy. If you are around any of the Improve Group staff for very long you will quickly learn that we are avid readers. I cannot fathom how much joy would be gone from my life without the ability to pick up a great novel, begin reading and be swept away. The following funder has my admiration for addressing functional literacy needs in adults, families and children. They also provide links on their website to locate local adult literacy programs and to find volunteer tutor opportunities. Read on!

This week’s pick: Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s 2007 Family Literacy Grants. This company’s commitment to literacy began with co-founder J.L. Turner’s overcoming a third grade education to build the business known as Dollar General Corporation. Funding literacy is just one of the community-minded programs they provide.

Non-profit programs applying for these literacy grants must focus on Adult Literacy, Adult Basic Education, GED Preparation and English for Speakers of Other Languages. The submission deadline is March 2, 2007 and maximum awards are $15,000. You must be located in one of the 35 states where Dollar General does business. Go to http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/communityinvestments.aspx to download an application.