Request for Proposals (RFP): PreK-3 Literacy Program Grants

Issued By: The Osa Foundation

Release Date: January 30, 2026

Submission Deadline: March 6, 2026

1. Overview

Tucson is home to talented and dedicated educators. The Arizona statewide effort to increase PreK-3 reading levels has ignited The Osa Foundation’s desire to ensure Tucson educators are effectively supported and resourced to improve literacy outcomes for early readers.

Current Reality: Tucson faces a literacy crisis, with 60% of third-graders unable to read at grade level. This urgent challenge, however, is solvable, as demonstrated by the significant reading gains achieved by districts nationwide through evidence-based practices. We believe Tucson’s dedicated educators can bring about similar transformative results when equipped with the right resources and proven interventions. To address this issue effectively, the Osa Foundation is focusing its funding on evidence-based literacy instruction interventions specifically targeting PreK-3 readers.

The Osa Foundation is launching an ambitious proposal process to propel promising, evidence-based PreK–3 literacy initiatives that align with the Science of Reading. We are eager to invest in scalable nonprofit programs and Tucson public school districts with the potential to dramatically improve early-grade reading proficiency rates and finally conquer our literacy crisis. We are specifically seeking programs that will reach the youth most in need of enhanced reading instruction and demonstrate potential for achieving significant, transformative impact at scale.

2. Eligible Programs

Proposed programs must serve Tucson students in grades PreK-3 and be classroom-based - either provided by school staff or provided in-school and aligned with the school curriculum. We will prioritize programs with explicit buy-in from school leadership. All programs must be aligned to the Science of Reading.

Eligible program examples include:

● Programs that bridge the transition from PreK to Kindergarten, ensuring PreK alignment to reading readiness standards, and that any student without reading readiness skills has been identified to Kindergarten staff prior to the first day of school

● School-based interventions aligned to classroom instruction for students below proficiency or at risk of not meeting proficiency standards, including tutoring andone-to-one student support

● Procurement and implementation of an evidence-based literacy curriculum

● Professional development for educators on evidence-based reading instruction, including reading coaches

● Classroom use of AI and other tech tools with proven efficacy to improve reading proficiency

● Creation and ongoing use of school-wide data systems supporting literacy outcomes

3. Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be:

● A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a public school district, or an accredited educational institution

● Non-religiously affiliated. Collaborative efforts are welcome.

4. Grant Awards

Award Amounts: Awards may range between $10,000–$100,000, depending on scope and scale. Multi-year grant proposals are welcome.

Use of Funds: Program implementation, staffing, instructional materials, evaluation, professional development, and related costs are all permissible uses of grant funds. Funding may not be used for fundraising, university indirect costs, or political/lobbying activities.

5. Letter of Interest Requirements

The Foundation is requesting a thoughtful and concise letter that will provide us with a high-level sense of the program to be funded. Should organizations be invited to later stages of the process, more detailed information will be requested as part of a proposal. Letters should be limited to no more than three pages. Fonts should not be less than 11 point. These are our only formatting requirements.

A. Organizational Information

● Organization name, including department if applicable

● Organization/departmental mission

● Primary contact name and contact information

● Staff member's name to lead the program, if funded

● Requested funding amount and project period

B. Program Summary

● Description: A concise description of the proposed program, target population, and expected outcomes.

● Evidence Base: Research and rationale supporting your approach and how your program is incorporating the Science of Reading.

● High-level Timeline for Implementation: When you will start or expand your project, and if this will be a multi-year or one-time request.

C. Plans for Evaluation and Scaling

● Describe how you define and measure success for your program, including clear, measurable indicators of student literacy progress

● Vision for scaling

D. Organizational Capacity

● History of successful program implementation commensurate with the current request

● Note any partnerships or collaborative relationships relevant to this project

E. Financial

● High-level budget narrative

● Description of any matching or leveraged funds

6. Letter of Interest Criteria

Letters of Interest will be evaluated based on:

● Magnitude of impact on literacy outcomes and supporting evidence

● Organizational capacity to successfully implement the program

● Science of Reading Alignment

● Level of need of the target population, based on current reading proficiency/reading readiness skills, as well as other factors putting students at risk for attaining/maintaining reading proficiency

● Sustainability and scalability beyond the grant period

7. Submission Instructions

Submit the letter as a single PDF to: info@theosafoundation.org

Subject line: PreK–3 Literacy RFP – [Organization Name]

Late or incomplete letters of interest will not be reviewed.

8. Timeline

9. Questions

Inquiries not covered by this RFP may be submitted to info@theosafoundation.org by February 27, 2026.

10. Frequently Asked Questions Coming Soon