First Literacy recently announced their 2026-2027 grant recipients. Eight organizations were awarded grants to carry out innovative initiatives that will impact adult learners across Massachusetts. Over $34,000 in grant funds were distributed to nonprofits with new and innovative Adult Basic Education projects. Since 1988, First Literacy has focused on improving Adult Basic Education (ABE) in the community. Grant funding initiatives have grown immensely over the years, supporting hundreds of organizations in the development and trial of innovative education programs.

“These pilot programs meet essential needs that are often not fundable through other sources,” said Terry Witherell, Executive Director. “By investing in new approaches to Adult Basic Education, we can help educators address emerging needs, strengthen student outcomes, and remove barriers to learning for more adults.”

Grants of up to $15,000 are open to all not-for-profit Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning organizations in Massachusetts. Grants can be used for projects such as developing and piloting a program idea, offering a short-term class that fills an unmet student need, or organization-wide initiatives.

“This year we awarded four second-year grants, which really speaks to the impact that these projects have on their students and organizations as a whole,” said Annie Sferrazza, First Literacy Program Director. “We are excited to see how these programs grow and evolve over the next year to better meet the needs of adult learners.”

BCNC was one of this year’s recipients and was awarded a second year $2,703 grant to continue their 12-week AI Powered English program for ESOL learners. The program focuses on building independent English study strategies that reinforce the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) curriculum, including direct support of DESE priorities to expand digital literacy and career readiness and meet the growing need for AI education among immigrant adults.

“The course will set students up for long-term success by building self-study habits and digital literacy skills, using free and widely available tools,” said Nicole Smith, Director of Adult Education at BCNC. “These AI-based strategies can also support students in preparing for job interviews, understanding workplace communication, or pursuing further education.”

BCNC Adult Education is excited be one of the awardees to continue our successfully piloted AI-Powered English program for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners in 2027.

Some results from the pilot course included: 

• 99% Attendance
• 83% Average assessment score
• 100% of students reported that the course was extremely useful
• 100% of students reported increased digital confidence after taking the course, with 60% reporting feeling very confident using technology after the course

The 12-week mini course will once again serve motivated Adult Education students who want to build confidence and independence in their English learning journey using Google Gemini as a practical study tool to strengthen their language skills. Using feedback from the pilot, the next course will focus more on using AI as a grammar tutor, a writing editor, and a self-study schedule-maker, in addition to exploring the use of AI as a tool in the workplace.

In addition to offering grants, First Literacy provides free professional development to adult educators and awards scholarships to adult learners pursuing higher education. Since the organization’s founding in 1988, over $6 million has been allocated to support teachers and innovative literacy programs, and over 600 scholarships have been awarded.