The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awards $500,000 in grants to Dallas Education Foundation

Today, The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries announced that the Dallas Education Foundation is being awarded $500,000 for the direct benefit of Dallas ISD as it continues rebuilding from the October 2019 North Dallas tornadoes. Thomas Jefferson High School, Francisco "Pancho" Medrano Middle School, and Walnut Hill PK-8 will use the grants to expand, update, and diversify their library book collections.   

“The tornadoes last fall destroyed parts of the Dallas community, including some of the schools our children attend. I am thrilled the Laura Bush Foundation will support three Dallas ISD school libraries affected by the storm,” Mrs. Laura Bush said. “With the grant, these libraries will be restocked with new books so Dallas students can read and learn for years to come.” 

Grants for the 2020-2021 school year are also now open. Learn if your school is eligible to apply by visiting www.laurabushfoundation.org.   

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $16 million to more than 2,800 schools across the country. In addition to the annual grants, the “Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative” in 2006 provided nearly $6.5 million to school libraries affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to rebuild book collections lost or destroyed in the storms.  

In 2014, The Laura Bush Foundation transitioned from the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region in Washington, D.C.to the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, where it is managed as a restricted fund.  More information can be found at www.laurabushfoundation.org.