Beyond Books: Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants

Established in 2003, Phi Kappa Phi’s Literacy Grant program was created as a way to help members and chapters champion initiatives that recognize the many facets of literacy. The grants, of up to $2,500, help fund projects ranging from traditional reading initiatives to those fostering learning in cultural, digital, financial, health, historical literacy and beyond.

Benjamin Jacob, a 2017 Literacy Grant winner, joined forces with his fellow Phi Kappa Phi members at Brigham Young University and My Story Matters, a nonprofit foundation, to publish the stories of children who have unique life experiences such as being a refugee or immigrant.

Jacob and other student volunteers met with refugee children in their community on March 10, 2018, to get to know them and their stories. “Stories inspire hope and validation,” shared Jacob. The My Story Matters project validates their experiences by learning their stories and using them to create personalized books, like memoirs, to give them. The Phi Kappa Phi members will work with the My Story Matters team to interview the children as well as assist with the writing, formatting, and photography for the stories.

For this Literacy Grant winner, the opportunity to meet, befriend and learn from these children is a “humbling and humanizing experience,” and he encourages others to apply. “Phi Kappa Phi is totally committed to improving literacy and communication around the world and this grant is strong proof,” he said.

Read more about the Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grants program and see what other literacy initiatives are being supported by last year’s winners. The deadline to apply for a 2018 Literacy Grant is April 1.

Photo provided by Dale Quinio, BYU Photo Club - Volunteers from the Phi Kappa Phi Chapter at Brigham Young University and the greater university community gather on March 10, 2018, at the My Story Matters event.