First Book Grant Application Instructions
The U.S. Department of Education’s First Book program provides free books to schools that serve low-income students. Within CPS, 84.9% of students are from low-income families, making most schools eligible to receive free books the the program.
You can help a school receive these books by assisting them with the online grant application. Be sure to talk to the school’s principal first to ensure that the school would like to participate. If the principal approves, you can offer to submit the application yourself or assist someone at the school in applying. The application requires the following information:
- Organization’s Taxpayer Identification Number: 36-6005821. This is the same for every Chicago Public School
- Organization’s name: [School Name]
- Organization’s mailing address: [School Address]
- Organization’s primary phone number: [School Phone Number]
- Proof of nonprofit status or a letter stating that your organization serves children from low-income families: Use this CPS Fact Sheet
for verification that CPS serves low-income children - Your organization’s mission statement: The Chicago Public Schools will be the premier urban school district in the country by providing all our students and their families with high quality instruction, outstanding academic programs, and comprehensive student development supports to prepare them for the challenges of the world of tomorrow.
- Percentage of children from low-income families served by your organization: This will vary by school. Ask your school’s principal for this number.
- Demographic breakdown of children served by our organization, (numbers by age; primary language by percentage; ethnicity optional.): This, too, will vary by school. Please ask the school for this breakdown.
When you have gethered all the necessary information, you can submit the application online and begin the process of garnering free books for a school.
Contact
Adam Arents, Office Manager
773-553-1564 amarents@cps.k12.il.us
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