Literacy Council of Frederick County Awarded Women’s Giving Circle Grant to Expand Programs for Women
The $36,000 grant will address the growing need in Frederick County for programs that foster self-sufficiency through literacy and life skills.
Frederick, MD [June 11, 2026] — The Literacy Council of Frederick County (Literacy Council) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $36,000 grant through the 2026 Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County grant cycle. The funding will support the Literacy Council’s 2026–2027 initiative, “Expanding Literacy and Life Skills for Women.”
This year-long program will expand access to tutoring, community-based classes, parent literacy programming, and new life skills and workforce readiness workshops. The initiative is designed to help women in Frederick County facing barriers to self-sufficiency build the English language and practical skills needed to succeed at home, at work, and in the community.
Low literacy remains a significant challenge in Frederick County and across the nation. In Frederick, according to Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies: State and County Estimates of Adult Skills data, 14% of adults score at or below Level 1 literacy, putting them at risk of difficulty understanding basic printed materials, while 16% report speaking English not well or not at all. The nationwide impact extends far beyond the individual, with the National Council for Adult Learning suggesting at least $225 billion in lost productivity, increased crime, and reduced tax revenue due to low literacy. Together, these barriers limit economic mobility, strain community resources, and prevent individuals and families from reaching their full potential.
“Literacy is more than reading and writing. It is a pathway to opportunity, stability, and connection,” said Literacy Council Executive Director Denise Hill. “We are honored to be among this year’s grantees working to improve lives and create a brighter future for our neighbors and families in Frederick.”
Advancing parent literacy is a well-researched driver of stronger, long-term economic and employment outcomes for families. The National Institutes of Health also found that a mother’s reading ability is the strongest predictor of her children’s future academic success, surpassing factors like neighborhood and family income.
The 2026 Women’s Giving Circle grant cycle focused on four critical areas affecting women’s self-sufficiency: health, education, housing, and transportation. The Literacy Council’s grant was among $290,000 in total funding awarded to 11 organizations in Frederick County. More information about the 2026 grants can be found at www.frederickwgc.org.
About the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County
The Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County is a collective giving organization that funds local nonprofit programs empowering women to achieve self-sufficiency. Through member and donor contributions and strategic grantmaking, the organization works to improve the quality of life for women throughout Frederick County.
About the Literacy Council of Frederick County
Founded in 1963, the Literacy Council provides Frederick County adults with pathways to essential literacy skills. We empower adults with the tools they need to thrive, from English language learning and workplace communication to reading, digital literacy, and everyday life skills.
Through one-on-one tutoring, ESL classes, workplace English programs, Learning Labs, and practical workshops, we help adults build confidence, strengthen families, and open doors to better jobs and fuller participation in community life. When adults gain these skills, the entire community grows stronger. The Literacy Council has served over 12,000 students to date.