The Literacy Network has been awarded $80,000 by the Madison Community Foundation (MCF) from its Community Impact Grant to fill a hole in previously lost funding for its English for Citizenship Program.
Funding for the Literacy Network’s Citizenship Program was suddenly pulled in early 2025 by the federal government. Its multi-year federal contract helped Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) prepare for the naturalization process with group classes and one-on-one tutoring for the two-part exam that tests their English skills and knowledge of U.S. history and civics. The program was awarded through the Citizenship and Naturalization Application Services grant.
“MCF sees the Literacy Network’s Citizenship Program as an important investment in the Greater Madison Community,” said Angela Davis, MCF’s director of grantmaking. “By providing support to eligible LPRs preparing for U.S. citizenship through targeted language instruction, civics education, naturalization and interview preparation, they are making citizenship attainable, providing a sense of belonging to people in our community who are working toward becoming U.S. citizens.”
Prior to the funding loss for the program, Literacy Network served around 120 LPRs per year for their citizenship test. It was on pace to serve more than 100 LRPs in 2025 at the time it lost its funding for the program.
At the time funding was pulled, 11 were in the process of their naturalization interviews, and more than 50 were enrolled in courses. Loss in funding caused a shortfall in its projected people served to only 71 in 2025.
“In 2025, we supported a record 71 students in passing their citizenship test. We anticipate continued demand,” said Robin Ryan, executive director of Literacy Network. “More than 13,000 people in the Madison metropolitan area are eligible for citizenship currently and that number has grown in recent years. We are grateful for MCF’s generous support of these new citizens, who strengthen our entire community.”
The recent grant from the Madison Community Foundation helps to sustain the program. Literacy Network said that funding was needed more than ever due to changes in the test in late 2025.
The test became more rigorous in Oct. 2025. It became more comprehensive with an increase in its question bank from 100 to 128. Applicants are now required to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly as opposed to the previous 6 out of 10, with a higher emphasis on historical and government topics — such as the Federalist papers and the 10th Amendment, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
