The Governor's Read to Lead Council and Development Fund

mom reading to son

The Governor’s Read to Lead Council and Development Fund was started in 2012. The group was formed as a result of an advisory group who recommended a fund and associated council be created to issue grants to community literacy organizations. The group has provided over half a million dollars in grants to school boards and other community organizations in support of literacy and early childhood development programs. This large accomplishment has no doubt had a meaningful impact on the families in Wisconsin and the language and literacy development of their children.

In 2015, the Council was moved from the Governor’s Office to the Department of Children and Families. This move created a slight change in focus to a more narrow effort around early childhood literacy and kindergarten readiness and created an opportunity for new 3-year appointments to the Council.

In 2019, funding for the Read to Lead Council was removed from the state budget and the council has stopped meeting. However, the funds and work completed over the life of the council continue to support communities and families and make a difference in the literacy development of Wisconsin’s children.

Annual Read to Lead Reports