First Book Announces $4.7M OMG Books Awards Program
As part of a rare and exciting opportunity, First Book is soliciting proposals for book distributions that will ultimately get more than 1.5 million free books and eBooks to kids in need.
In January, First Book launched the OMG Books Awards: Offering More Great Books to Spark Innovation. Through a competitive RFP process, First Book will distribute $4.7 million in book credits to the most innovative eligible applicants in 33 states, implementing a court settlement unrelated to First Book. Awardees will be selected to receive an OMG Books award to help them infuse their program, state, or community with books to catalyze their work supporting children from birth to age 18, their families, and educators. Through the OMG Books program, First Book aims to expand its reach to more educators working in the lives of children in need by registering and activating new members, and also to stimulate supplemental funding that will act as a multiplier for the funding in the OMG Books Awards.
Awards will be provided in the form of credits for books and eBooks on the First Book Marketplace and will be allocated in varying amounts in each state – based on population – across the 33 states listed within the OMG Books RFP.
RFP response due dates are divided into three cycles with specified states in each cycle. Cycle I proposals are due on February 15, 2019; Cycle 2 and multi-state proposals are due on May 15, 2019; and Cycle 3 proposals are due on August 15, 2019. All submissions must be made online at firstbook.org/OMGbooksapply. The RFP details requirements and the states included in specific cycles. Questions can be directed to OMGbooks@firstbook.org during the open Q&A period as indicated in RFP.
For the link to download the RFP, Apply, and more information, please visit First Book here.
