Application period for Bucks For Books is August 15 – September 30, 2025. Click here to submit your application
Each fall the Idaho Lottery collaboratively partners with the Idaho Commission for Libraries on a campaign to improve early education literacy. In its first three years, through Bucks for Books, the Idaho Lottery has awarded 89 elementary schools a total of $225,000 for new book acquisitions. Click here to learn more
Donate your VIP Club points to any one of the 20 elementary schools across Idaho. 20 points funds one book per school. To donate and see the schools on the list, go to the VIP Club Rewards center and click on “Do Good Donations.”
Here are the 26 schools across Idaho who received a Bucks for Books award in 2025. Check them out below:
| North Idaho: John Mullan Elementary School, Mullan = $3,000 Spirit Lake Elementary School, Spirit Lake = $3,000 Treaty Rock Elementary, Post Falls = $3,000 |
North Central Idaho: Lapwai Elementary School, Lapwai = $3,000 Orofino Elementary School, Orofino = $3,000 |
| East Idaho: Blackfoot Charter School, Blackfoot = $3,000 Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade, Blackfoot = $3,000 Bonneville Online Elementary School, Idaho Falls = $3,000 Fox Hollow Elementary School, Idaho Falls = $3,000 Westside Elementary, Idaho Falls = $3,000 |
Southeast Idaho: Oakwood Elementary School, Preston = $3,000 Tendoy Elementary, Pocatello = $2,000 |
| South Central Idaho: Hailey Elementary School, Hailey = $3,000 Syringa Mountain School, Hailey = $3,000 White Pine Intermediate School, Burley = $3,000 |
Southwest Idaho: Cascade School District, Cascade = $3,000 Hawthorne Elementary School, Boise = $2,000 Hunter Elementary, Meridian = $1,000 Inspire Connections Academy, Boise = $1,000 Joplin Elementary School, Boise = $2,000 Lake Hazel Elementary School, Boise = $3,000 Marsing Elementary School, Marsing = $3,000 Mosaics Public School, Caldwell = $3,000 New Plymouth Elementary, New Plymouth = $3,000 Ponderosa Elementary School, Meridian = $3,000 Falcon Ridge Elementary School, Caldwell = $3,000 |
How Bucks for Books Started:
In 2019, the Idaho Lottery learned 28 percent of Idaho elementary schools had a library budget of less than $100 per year for book procurement. In reality, it would take nearly $8,000 every year per school to maintain the library collection students need to succeed. With that in mind, the Idaho Lottery worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries to start Bucks For Books. Literacy has been a focus of Idaho Governor Brad Little since he took office in 2019. Getting all Idaho students reading at grade level by the third grade is imperative as that is the point where students transition from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Having a well-stocked library and the ability for all students to take books home is crucial in getting all Idaho students where they need to be.
How Idaho Public Schools get awards:
We award Bucks for Books awards once a year! Watch for a link here in August to apply to get $1,000 - $3,000 cash awards for your library.
