The NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to support community-wide reading programs. These programs center around a selected book from the NEA Big Read Library and the 2025-26 theme, “Our Nature: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection.” The grants aim to foster meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate diverse perspectives, and build stronger community connections.

Applicants must select one of 22 books that explore the relationship between people and the physical environment. Programming can include book discussions, kick-off events, author visits, panel discussions, artistic projects, and community storytelling activities. Creative programming is encouraged, and organizations are required to offer events such as a public kick-off, multiple book discussions, artistic activities, writing workshops, and opportunities for community voices to be publicly shared.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, federally tax-exempt entities, universities, tribal organizations, libraries, museums, and other community service organizations located in the United States or U.S. Territories. Applicants must partner with at least one library (unless the applicant is a library) and another community organization to develop programming. A minimum one-to-one match is required, which can be met through cash, in-kind contributions, or other non-federal funds.

The application process has two steps: an Intent to Apply, due by January 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT, and a full application, due by January 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Applications are submitted through the SmartSimple online platform. Applicants must provide a detailed project budget, describe their chosen book and programming plans, outline community outreach strategies, and highlight how the project will address NEA Big Read goals and engage diverse audiences.

All funded projects will take place between September 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Grant funds can be used for book purchases, speaker fees, promotional costs, and project-related staff salaries but cannot be used for refreshments, fundraisers, or non-project-related administrative expenses. Grantees are required to provide an activity listing 30 days before the project starts and a final report 30 days after completion, documenting event outcomes, audience engagement, and budget expenditures.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel based on criteria such as artistic merit, audience engagement, resource management, and the overall plan’s alignment with NEA Big Read goals. Notifications of funding decisions will be sent in April 2025, and new grantees will participate in an orientation in June 2025. For additional resources, guidance, or questions, applicants can contact Arts Midwest at grants@artsmidwest.org or explore resources such as sample applications and accessibility tools on their website.