Louisville, Ky. (June 6, 2014) – Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) today announced that community programs across the nation can submit initial applications for the prestigious Toyota Family Learning grants, which recognize innovation in engaging families in learning.

The three-year, $175,000 grants are a part of Toyota Family Learning’s pioneering movement to provide opportunities for children and parents to learn together by funding new service learning and family mentor programs. Five organizations will be awarded a grant, in addition to a wide range of NCFL training, communication and technical support, learning items and materials.

Over the course of Toyota Family Learning’s six-year initiative, 15 grants will be awarded. The first round of five grantees included Houston Public Library, Lincoln Public Schools, and community programs from California, New York and Rhode Island. In less than six months, these program participants have:

• Worked as families to serve their communities—activities include visiting senior citizens, beautifying local parks and packaging food for the homeless;
• Completed approximately 17,000 hours of learning together as a family and as a community;
• Reported gains in participating parents’ organizational skills, leadership skills, and levels of self-efficacy;
• Seen an increase in father involvement in literacy activities with their families child’s school;
• Reported that families are more likely to use technology for educational purposes; and
• Reported that families are more likely to interact with their child’s school.

“The biggest impact comes from the whole family committing to positive and sustained involvement in learning,” said Emily Kirkpatrick, vice president of NCFL. “We’re pleased with the results we’ve seen from the first Toyota Family Learning Grant recipients and eager to expand the implementation network through this RFP.”

“Toyota’s more than 20 years of partnership with the NCFL has taught us that bringing parents and children together to learn works,” said Mike Goss, vice president of external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.  “That’s why we are so excited to announce the second round of the Toyota Family Learning Grants and proud to support programs across the country that extend learning beyond the four walls of the classroom and into homes and communities.”

Schools, libraries and other community-based organizations that provide services to families are eligible to apply. Initial applications are being accepted now through June 23 at www.toyotafamilylearning.org. Submissions will be evaluated on a number of factors, including strength of existing services, commitment from community partners, and strength and innovation of proposal. A select group of organizations will be asked to submit full applications in July, and award recipients will be notified in August.

In addition to the funding grants, Toyota Family Learning is committed to engaging families online, offline, and on the go with tools like Family Time Machine, a website that helps parents and kids make better use of every moment in the day. More information about Toyota Family Learning can be found here.