Serving, thriving, and reading together (START): AMERICA250 [the START family reading program (serving, thriving, and reading together) supports community-building efforts and establishes long-lasting…

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Blue Star Families Inc. $972,500 on March 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs (CFDA 45.164) to expand the START Family Reading Program through three new thematic book series aligned with America's 250th anniversary.

The START program supports community-building and lasting connections for military families across the United States using carefully selected literature and picture books designed to spark dialogue and encourage belonging. The three new thematic series introduced under this award align with official America250 themes: We the People, American Spirit, and Our American Story. Blue Star Families, a tax-exempt nonprofit headquartered in Encinitas, California, will deliver the expanded program through the period ending February 28, 2029, with place of performance in California. The award is assistance type Project Grant and obligates $972,500 in total federal funding.

Serving, thriving, and reading together (START): AMERICA250 [the START family reading program (serving, thriving, and reading together) supports community-building efforts and establishes long-lasting connections for military families across the U.S. Using carefully selected literature and picture books that spark dialogue and encourage a sense of belonging. Building on the program's success, blue star families proposes to launch a three-year project to introduce three new thematic series aligned with official AMERICA250 themes: we the people, american spirit, and our american story.]