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GACF Grant Supports MARC’s The Next Chapter Club

Written by Montca_Admin

Uncategorized

July 9, 2026

The Montcalm Area Reading Council (MARC) has been awarded a $500 Spring Education Grant from the Greenville Area Community Foundation, funded by the William and Harriette Cook Literacy Fund.

The grant will support The Next Chapter Club, MARC’s adult literacy book club, by helping purchase books and instructional materials for participants.

The Next Chapter Club brings adult learners together to read, share ideas, and enjoy books in a relaxed group setting. The club gives participants an opportunity to practice reading, build vocabulary, and connect with others through discussion.

The grant also inspired MARC to give the program a name of its own. While the group had been meeting for some time, it was previously known simply as “Book Club.” As MARC began planning for the future of the program, The Next Chapter Club felt like a natural fit.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Greenville Area Community Foundation and the William and Harriette Cook Literacy Fund for their support,” said Amanda Lee, executive director of MARC. “This grant gives us more flexibility in the books and materials we can offer our participants. Instead of being limited to whatever resources we can find, we’ll be able to explore a wider variety of books and companion materials that make discussions more engaging and enjoyable. The timing was perfect because it also encouraged us to think about what we wanted this program to become. That’s how The Next Chapter Club got its name. We loved the idea that everyone, no matter where they are in life, always has another chapter ahead.”

The Next Chapter Club is one of several programs offered by MARC to support adult learners throughout Montcalm County. In addition to free one-on-one tutoring, MARC offers English language learning services, conversation groups, and other literacy programs for adults.

MARC thanks the Greenville Area Community Foundation for believing in our learners and in the mission of adult literacy.

For more information about MARC or to learn how to become a learner or volunteer learning coach, contact Amanda Lee at 616-303-1651 or visit montcalmareareadingcouncil.com.

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