Gretchen Walsh Book Donation Award
Forecasted
Gretchen Walsh Book Donation Award supports organizations shipping donated books and media to libraries and schools in Africa, helping donation projects meet recipients’ specific needs.
Funder: African Studies Association
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Application deadline) | May 2027 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: $200–$1,000 per grant; $1,800 available annually
Summary: Supports organizations with shipping costs for donated books and media to libraries and schools in Africa.
Key Information: Projects should involve African and U.S. institutional partners, with a liaison at each institution.
Description
The African Studies Association (ASA) provides annual grants to help organizations ship donated books to libraries and schools in Africa. Administered by the Africana Librarians Council (ALC), the program honors Gretchen Walsh, who served as Africana Librarian at Boston University for more than thirty years and was a longtime member of both organizations.
The program prioritizes small to medium-sized donation projects addressing recipients’ specific, articulated needs, while recognizing that large-scale shipments can also be effective. Donations may include print, electronic, or other book formats. Community-based, grassroots involvement benefiting broad, non-sectarian populations is encouraged. Projects should demonstrate careful selection of relevant materials and practical planning for reviewing, storing, packing, shipping, and clearing donated books through customs.
