TOLEDO, Ohio — Dec. XX, 2024 — On this Giving Tuesday, the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 library grant program, which awarded a total of 77 grants to rural public libraries across the United States. 

This year, the Foundation also provided targeted support to 10 libraries in North Carolina and Georgia, identified through a partnership with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) and all were significantly impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, ensuring these essential institutions can continue serving as pillars of recovery and community connection.

The grants reflect the Foundation’s mission to invest in initiatives that strengthen families and the communities in which they live, work, and play. This is particularly needed within communities facing unique challenges such as natural disasters. The funding will enable libraries to restore collections, expand programming, and improve access to educational resources for children and families.

“The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation is humbled to play a small part in the incredible work rural libraries are doing to serve their communities, especially those recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton,” said Mike Deetsch, executive director of the Foundation. “Libraries are more than buildings—they are beacons of hope and opportunity. Our goal is to help them continue providing vital services that strengthen families and build resilience.”

Grant Overview
Since 2012, the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation has awarded over $1 million to rural libraries, focusing on enhancing access to children’s and young adult collections. In 2023, the Foundation expanded how the libraries could spend the money which now includes programming support, equipment & supplies, in addition to children’s and young adult collections.

The 2024 grants were distributed to libraries meeting the following criteria:

• Located in rural communities at least 10 miles from an urban cluster
• Serve populations under 25,000
• Serve communities where at least 18% of the population lives in poverty

Hurricane-Affected Libraries
The following 10 libraries in North Carolina and Georgia received grants to assist in recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton:

• Appalachian Regional Library (Boone, NC)
• Avery Mitchell Yancey Regional Library (Burnsville, NC)
• Henderson County Public Library – Main (Hendersonville, NC)
• Madison County Public Library – Hot Springs Branch (Marshall, NC)
• McDowell County Public Library (Old Fort, NC)
• Ohoopee Regional Library System (Vidalia, GA)
• Polk County Library (Saluda, NC)
• Rutherford County Library System (Spindale, NC)
• Satilla Regional Library System (Douglas, GA)
• Transylvania County Library Foundation (Brevard, NC)

These libraries will use the funds to rebuild their collections and provide critical resources to help families recover and thrive.

Empowering Rural Libraries Nationwide
In addition to hurricane recovery efforts, 67 grants were awarded to rural libraries across the country to support literacy initiatives, children’s programming, and the development of collections that meet the needs of underserved communities.

The Foundation’s work is inspired by the legacy of John Henry Eldred Jr., a lifelong advocate for books and reading, and his late mother, Dorothy Louise Kyler. Together, they shared a belief in the transformative power of literacy to strengthen families and communities.

For more information about the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation and its mission to support rural libraries, please visit jhefoundation.org.

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About John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation

The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation proudly funds nonprofits and libraries dedicated to addressing critical aspects of society, such as food insecurity, housing stability, and youth education. Since our inception in 2012, we've had the privilege of making substantial contributions, totaling $3,046,900, to over 85 nonprofit organizations in the Greater Toledo Area and small, rural libraries in low-income communities. These contributions include the most recent grant cycle in 2023.

As a young and growing organization, The Foundation aspires to be a beacon of hope, embodying the values of our founder, John Henry Eldred Jr. His legacy of generosity and community service serves as our guiding light. Through strategic investments and unwavering dedication, we remain committed to uplifting families and communities, ensuring a lasting impact in the lives of those we have the privilege to serve.

For more information, please visit jhefoundation.org/.