City National seeks grant applications

City National Bank today announced that it is now accepting applications for grants to support literacy-based projects at public and private elementary, middle and high schools in California, Nevada and New York.

Educators interested in applying for a literacy grant can access an online application by visiting www.readingisthewayup.org/literacy.asp. Any full-time teacher, librarian or administrator at schools in counties where City National has offices is eligible to apply. The Nevada counties are Carson City, Clark, Douglas and Washoe.

Approximately 100 grants totaling up to $75,000 may be awarded. Grants will provide up to $500 for the recipients to create, augment or expand literacy projects that are judged to be creative and engaging, and that may help improve student achievement. Awards can be used for books, videos, CDs, DVDs, computer software or hardware, or in other ways so long as the recipient shows that the project for which funds are sought will support literacy.

City National's Reading is The Way Up literacy program will award the grants. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 30, and awardees will be notified early next year. Grant funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2011.

"We are excited to kick off our sixth year of offering teachers the opportunity to apply for funding that would help them develop more literacy projects in their classrooms," said Carolyn Rodriguez, vice president and program administrator for City National.

For more information, visit www.readingisthewayup.org or send an e-mail to rwu@cnb.com.