Georgia Reads Community Award Application
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Georgia Reads Communities

Every Georgian has a role in literacy improvements. Our communities, anchored by local government leaders, businesses, faith-based and non-profit organizations, are showing us that together they are creating strategies to address low literacy from birth through adult years.

Prompted by one of the Council’s duties, Georgia Reads was launched in June 2024 to recognize and support the outstanding efforts of community partnerships advancing literacy across the state. These efforts will become “best practices” that can be replicated in communities across Georgia.

What You Can Do

Partnership

Form a Community Partnership
Collaborate with local leaders and organizations to address low literacy. Use the Get Georgia Reading‘s four-pillar framework as guidance in determining strategies to increase third-grade proficiency.

Application

Apply for the Georgia Reads Award
Communities with at least a 3-year partnership and proven literacy improvement goals can apply for the Georgia Reads Community Award. In February 2025, tencommunities will be awarded $25,000 and recognized by Georgia Reads Coach Malcolm Mitchell at the State Capitol.

Participate

Participate in READbowl
Encourage elementary, middle and high schools to join READBowl starting January 13, 2025. Classrooms with the highest average reading minutes will win state recognition, a State Capitol visit, and the READBowl state championship trophies in February 2025. Visit the Share the Magic Foundation for details and registration.

Meet Our Georgia Reads Coach

Malcolm Mitchell

Malcolm Mitchell
Georgia Reads Coach

On July 1, 2024, author and Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Mitchell became the Georgia Reads Coach. Despite his football success with the University of Georgia and the New England Patriots, Malcolm’s greatest achievement is his love of reading. In 2016, he founded the Share the Magic Foundation to transform children’s lives through literacy.

The Foundation inspires young people to read by providing books and innovative programs to students in Title I schools and under-resourced communities. Read with Malcolm programs motivate and inspire all readers, emphasizing that reading is key to achieving one’s goals. Learn more at www.readwithmalcolm.com.

Georgia Reads Community Award

Georgia Reads Community Map Graphic

Community Awards Application Process

Georgia Reads acknowledges the excellent work of literacy organizations across Georgia and understands the profound impact of low literacy. Our mission is to unify and empower the fragmented literacy ecosystem, guiding it toward a new era of understanding. From Savannah to Columbus, Rome to Augusta, Valdosta to Athens, and every community in between, we aim to be the guiding star in transforming the societal impact of low literacy.

Join Georgia Reads make your community a shining example of literacy improvement. It’s a new dawn — let’s turn the page to a brighter future.

Download Application