PGFL Grants Program
The Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy (PGFL) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 Peter Gzowski Foundation Literacy Grants!
In April 2023, the Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy announced a new grants program beginning in 2023. The grants support literacy initiatives to build capacity or enhance existing promising practices. Grants can also be used for operational expenses. In 2023, $200,000 was available for ten grants of $20,000.
We received applications from all over Canada. Each was reviewed for eligibility and scored according to the grant program guidelines. We are pleased that our first year of this process produced so much interest.
2023 Grant Recipients
CanLearn, Edmonton, AB
The grant will enable the “Expanding the Basic Math for Adults” program to reach and work with more adult learners who need help acquiring foundational numeracy and math skills.
Community Learning Network (CLN), Edmonton, AB
CLN will create an interactive digital training resource “Stepping into Writing” based on Kate Nonesuch’s methods for teaching writing to adult foundational learners for use by Alberta practitioners and volunteers.
Friends of the Campbellford/Seymour Carnegie Library, Campbellford, ON
The grant will provide resources to expand services at Trent Hills Library to adults with limited literacy skills living in this rural region. Services include digital literacy, improving online and offline reading skills and a book club for emergent adult readers.
Literacy Council York-Simcoe (LCYS), Newmarket, ON
The grant provides operating expenses to the LCYS Skills Upgrading Centre to maintain current programs. The funds will enable LCYS to provide consistency in programs while it develops a three-year strategic plan and continues it fundraising efforts.
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, Vancouver, BC
The grant will fund the Family Literacy Outreach program which serves vulnerable immigrant and refugee adult mothers with young children with holistic family literacy support. Participants generally transition to more structured English language or employment programs.
Literacy Central Vancouver Island (LCVI), Nanaimo, BC
LCVI will build capacity within its adult and Indigenous literacy programs. The project will be conducted with the advice of Indigenous elders and include curriculum available on an Open Learning platform with tutors trained in cultural safety and trauma informed practices.
Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council, Sioux Lookout, ON
The Sioux-Hudson Literacy Council operates the Good Learning Anywhere (GLA), the provincial Indigenous e-learning network. Building on GLA courses already offered to federal inmates in Ontario, the grant will enable GLA to expand its offerings and to explore delivery outside Ontario.
The Learning Centre Literacy Association (TLCLA), Edmonton, AB
TLCLA will enhance its current literacy materials to make them relevant for the “21st century marginalized community adult learner.” Curriculum will be evaluated based on feedback from instructors. Training materials for instructors and tutors will also be updated.
United For Literacy, Atlantic Region, Corner Brook, NL
United for Literacy will bring its Community Literacy Catalyst model to Corner Brook to address the literacy needs for the Indigenous community. Working with community partners, needs will be assessed and community-informed programming developed.
Victoria Literacy Connection Society (VLC)
The grant will enable VLC to recruit specialized volunteer tutors with the necessary skills in both teaching English and computer/technology. As a result of the program, learners will gain knowledge of their digital device, and be able to communicate in English their understanding and skills in using those devices.