Reading With Mrs. Richardson Awarded $15,000 Neighborhood Partnership Grant from the City of Memphis

We are honored and grateful to announce that Reading With Mrs. Richardson has been awarded a $15,000 Neighborhood Partnership Grant (NPG) through the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development's FY27 Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF).

This investment reflects the City's commitment to supporting neighborhood-based organizations that create meaningful opportunities for Memphis residents and strengthen communities from within. The FY27 SCIF program awarded nearly $6 million to organizations across Memphis working to address housing, neighborhood revitalization, community engagement, and quality-of-life initiatives.

As a literacy-focused nonprofit, Reading With Mrs. Richardson is dedicated to ensuring that children and families have access to books, educational opportunities, and programs that inspire a lifelong love of reading. This grant will help us continue expanding our impact in neighborhoods across Memphis.

How the Funds Will Be Used

The $15,000 Neighborhood Partnership Grant will support:

• The purchase and distribution of diverse books for children and families in underserved communities.

• Literacy programming through our Rooted Readers and Knowledge Keepers initiatives.

• Community reading events and neighborhood literacy engagement activities.

• Educational supplies and program materials that support student learning and enrichment.

• Family literacy opportunities that encourage reading beyond the classroom.

• Outreach efforts that connect more Memphis youth with books, mentorship, and academic support.

Through these efforts, we will continue building stronger readers, stronger families, and stronger communities.

Thank You, City of Memphis

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mayor Paul Young, the Memphis City Council, and the Division of Housing and Community Development for investing in grassroots organizations that are making a difference every day.

This grant is more than funding—it is a vote of confidence in the work being done by our students, families, volunteers, supporters, and community partners.

Together, we are creating opportunities for young people to discover the power of stories, strengthen literacy skills, and imagine brighter futures.

Watch the Grant Awards Coverage

We were honored to be featured as part of the City's announcement and grant awards celebration.

🎥 Watch the City of Memphis press conference and awards announcement:https://memphistn.gov/hcd-awards-nearly-6-million-in-fy27-strategic-community-investment-fund-grants/

Thank you to everyone who has supported Reading With Mrs. Richardson throughout this journey. Because of you, we can continue empowering youth through literacy, storytelling, and community engagement.

The work continues—and we're just getting started.