First Book Grants for OFT Members

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Ohio Federation of Teachers is proud to partner with First Book to provide our members with an opportunity for free books to advance your education initiatives. 

About First Book

First Book believes that education is the best way out of poverty for children in need. First Book aims to remove barriers to quality education for all kids by making new, high-quality books and educational resources available to its member network of more than 450,000 educators who serve kids in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 185 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income communities in more than 30 countries. First Book currently reaches an average of 5 million children every year and supports more than one in three of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need.

First Book Grants for Qualifying OFT members

Grants for OFT members in qualifying locals:

OFT was recently awarded a block of First Book funding to be dispersed for projects in qualifying local unions. Your local qualifies for the grants if your school district is Title 1 eligible. (Note: Our members in the Federation of Franklin County Children Services Employees also qualify for this grant.)

Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $500, and the deadline to submit a grant proposal is Wednesday, September 18.

Examples of projects for First Book grants include, but are not limited to:

  • Hosting a literacy night;
  • Kindergarten registration;
  • Open House events or Parent-Teacher Conferences;
  • Supplementing curriculum or stocking your classroom library;
  • Books for social and emotional learning.
To submit a grant proposal:
Contact Jill Jones, Coordinator of Field Services, with any questions. 

Grants for new teachers in our six largest teacher locals:

New members of OFT's six largest teacher locals (Cleveland Teachers Union, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Toledo Federation of Teachers, Cleveland Heights Teachers Union, Oregon City Federation of Teachers, and Berea Federation of Teachers) were awarded a national grant, allowing new members to qualify for $100 for First Book purchases to support your classrooms and curriculum. Inquire within your local union for details.