Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards $20,000 to Oregon school programs

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced approximately $20,000 in youth literacy grants for Oregon schools and non-profit organizations today. The funding is expected to impact more than 700 individuals across the state.

The Oregon grants are part of a broader national initiative that awarded more than $4.1 million to youth literacy programs across the country. Recipient organizations can use the funds for professional development or to purchase books, technology, equipment and learning materials for K-12 students.

Four Oregon organizations received funding through the grants, including Santiam Elementary School in Mill City ($5,000), Mt. Angel Middle School in Mt. Angel ($5,000), Philomath Elementary School in Philomath ($3,936) and the Children's Literacy Project in Sweet Home ($5,000).

Denine Torr serves as executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. "When students have access to books, technology and educational resources, they gain tools that can support their learning for years to come," Torr said. "Through our youth literacy grants, we are honored to help strengthen schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations literacy programs and resources. We are grateful to support the meaningful work they do to help young learners grow, thrive and pursue brighter academic futures in DG communities nationwide."

In addition to the grant awards, the foundation recently concluded its seventh annual campaign called The Yellow Glasses Project. The project featured a partnership with radio personality Bobby Bones, host of the nationally syndicated Country radio program "The Bones Show." Since 2020, the campaign has raised more than $9 million to benefit the foundation and its literacy programs.

Since its establishment in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded nearly $297 million in grants to non-profit organizations, reaching more than 26 million individuals across the country.

Applications for the foundation's 2027 grant cycle will open online in January 2027 at www.dgliteracy.org. The upcoming funding cycle will support youth, family, summer and adult literacy programs located within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.