HarperCollins launches £20,000 Literacy Project grants for indies

HarperCollins has pledged £20,000 in grants for independent bookshops as part of its ongoing commitment to The Literacy Project. 

Launched by Publishers Association president and HarperCollins UK c.e.o. Charlie Redmayne in 2018, the HarperCollins Literacy Project Grants for Independent Booksellers will fund up to 10 Literacy Project initiatives around the UK and Ireland, devised and led locally by independent bookshops. 

The new scheme asks booksellers to help broaden the reach of The Literacy Project by using their local knowledge in creating their own project that supports early years literacy in their communities. 

Applications are invited for projects that focus on children in the early years and at primary age. Successful applications will receive up to £2,000 funding towards their project. HarperCollins and the National Literacy Trust will be on hand with advice to help successful applications achieve their goals.

Ben Hurd, HC trade marketing director, said: “Independent bookshops are at the heart of their communities and perfectly placed to help drive literacy in their areas. We are delighted to be working with the National Literacy Trust to launch the Literacy Project Grants which will give bookshops the chance to run bespoke projects tailored to local needs.”

The HarperCollins Literacy Project Grants for Independent Booksellers have been set up with the National Literacy Trust as a successor to the Independent Bookshop Grants that offered funding to bookshops to attract new customers through entrepreneurial new projects. 

Application forms are available from independentthinking@harpercollins.co.uk. The deadline is 30th April 2019.