Grant Opportunity: Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture

Updated, Dec. 20, 2025

The application for the Talk Story 2026 Grant is now open. This grant supports library and community organizations in their efforts to highlight Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) stories through programs, services, and collection materials. The aim is to support family literacy, intergenerational programming and service, cultural literacy, and representation of AANHPI and AIAN identities and communities.

Talk Story 2026 Grant: Apply Now!

• Applications must be received by March 15, 2026.
• Awards announced May 1, 2026.
• Funds must be used by November 30, 2026.
• Grant reports must be submitted by December 31, 2026.

About

Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture is a family literacy initiative that connects American Indigenous or Alaskan Native (AIAN) and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities across generations. The Talk Story grant celebrates and explores AIAN and AANHPI stories through books, oral traditions, and cultural arts to provide interactive and enriching experiences for all ages. This grant provides financial support to libraries and community organizations who are motivated to promote intergenerational literacy through programming, services, and collections. Talk Story programs may be conducted in-person or virtually.

Grant Details

Amount: $800

Grants Offered: 4 (2 from AILA and 2 from APALA)

To submit your proposal, please complete the online form: https://forms.gle/X1T36LanboSnF4zK9. 

If you require an alternative submission method, contact the association through which you wish to apply for a Talk Story grant: 

• American Indian Library Association (AILA): https://ailanet.org/contact/
• Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA): familyliteracy@apalaweb.org

Eligibility

Libraries, archives, museums, and community organizations that serve AANHPI and/or AIAN children and their families are eligible to apply. With the exception of cross-border tribal organizations, all organizations must be based in the United States or U.S. territories.

Organizations who have previously been awarded two Talk Story grants are ineligible for additional awards.  

Application Process

1. A complete grant application includes: 

• Statement of financial or economic need
• Narrative describing how the grant addresses community needs and promotes the Talk Story mission
• Explanation of how your program empowers AANHPI and/or AIAN communities

2. Proposed budget

• Submit Your Proposal Online
• Downloadable Document Version of Application

Note: Applicants must apply for either an APALA grant OR an AILA grant (not both).

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the AILA and APALA joint Family Literacy Focus committees. Awardees will be selected based on:

• Creativity and originality of the implementation of the Talk Story program 
• Accuracy in portrayal of AANHPI/AIAN cultures 
• Financial need 
• Involvement of the library, community, and community organizations as participants, leaders, and promoters of the proposed Talk Story program. 

Preference will be given to proposals that reflect the core values of family literacy, intergenerational programming and service, and cultural literacy, and representation of AANHPI  and AIAN identities and communities. Projects that actively disrupt stereotypes, decenter colonialism, and hold space for AANHPI/AIAN agency will be heavily considered.

Use of Funds

Deadline: Funds must be used by November 30, 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Library materials (books, audiovisuals, activity supplies), programming costs (e.g., hiring a storyteller), etc. Funds may be used for virtual events and programming. 

Allocation Requirements:

• At least 25% for library materials
• No more than 10% for refreshments and decorations

Program Requirement: Must support at least one AANHPI or AIAN themed program for children and families.