in cooperation with

in cooperation with

BookStart

Reaching Early Readers

BookStart is a year-round campaign dedicated to supporting early literacy in Minnesota communities. Developed by a partnership between Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and Picture Window Books, BookStart encourages children to develop a life-long love of reading and promotes parents to read aloud to their children.

Through partnerships with local organizations, the program's mission is to ensure that every child has a book of his own at home to read and be read to by family. Children's informational picture books and easy readers are available for free to organizations undertaking projects that distribute books to children.

Eligibility Criteria

Projects will be selected based on how well they meet the following criteria:

Description of children who will receive books

Promotion of childhood learning and literacy with children and their parents

Books will go to children in The Foundation’s 20-county area

Projects not in the scope of this program include:

Books to be used as library and/or school books

Books for resale

Books not given directly to children

The application process is not intended to be tedious. However, it is important that you carefully read and follow instructions precisely. If any part of the application is not clearly understood, please contact Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for clarification.

Requirements

Applications must be received by April 20, 2004

Recipients are expected to attend an informational session scheduled this summer (date to be determined) to meet with a representative of Picture Window Books and share information about their program, and to pick up their books.

We will be distributing approximately 1500 books to organizations within 20 counties. Please keep this in mind with your request.

Documentation of the completed project must be provided to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation as soon as the project is completed, but no later than October, 2004.

Site visits may be conducted prior to an award and may be conducted during and/or after project completion.

Public announcements will be issued highlighting the project on behalf of the recipient and other recognition events may also be planned.

For more information please contact:

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

525 Florence Avenue

PO Box 695

Owatonna, MN 55060

(507) 455-3215

Fax: (507) 455-2098

E-mail: elised@smifoundation.org

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation focuses on community and economic development to make a difference in the lives of children and families. To learn more about The Foundation’s programs, visit www.smifoundation.org.

Picture Window Books publishes informational picture books and easy readers for grades PreK-4. The distinctive line of books combine the story format and bright playful art found in picture books with lyrical and educational text aligned to national curriculum standards. To learn more about Picture Window Books, visit www.picturewindowbooks.com.

APPLICANT ORGANIZATION DATA (or Fiscal Agent)

Contact Person ________________________________________________________________

Title _______________________ Email ____________________________________________

Applicant Organization___________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ County _________________ Zip _______________

Telephone _________________________________ FAX_______________________________

Website: ________________ Tax Status: ___ 501 (c)(3) ___ Public Agency (Government Created)

___ Unit of Government ___ Other (describe) _________________________________________

PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON (if other than above)

Contact Person ___________________________________Title _________________________

Email ____________________________ Telephone _______________ FAX _______________

Address _____________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________County _________________ Zip_______________

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project Title___________________________________________________________________

Project Beginning Date _________________________ Project End Date ___________________

Brief Project Outline

(Please attach no more than a one-page project outline on how the books will be used.)

Describe your program’s role in early childhood development.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Describe the population where the books will be targeted and how they will be identified.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Complete the following chart to estimate number of books.

Community

Ages of children

Number of children

I have read and understand the eligibility for the BookStart program. If our project is selected as a recipient, I will act as the coordinator and contact person for the project. I will monitor progress on the project to ensure its completion, and ensure that requirements will be met.

SIGNATURE ______________________________________________ DATE ______________

Return completed application form by April 20, 2004 to:

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

PO Box 695

Owatonna, MN 55060-0695