The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to create an ongoing summer program to improve reading proficiency for elementary school students' living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. There is a need for supplemental academic support for children of low-income families that focus on reading proficiency and mastery of language arts. The goal of the program is to increase family involvement in academics, student academic achievement, and the graduation rates of low income minority students. An extensive literature review was performed to investigate ways to address high school dropout rates and the achievement gap in Los Angeles. Low reading proficiency between the first and fourth grade of elementary school was determined to be a major factor contributing to the income achievement gap. A search was conducted to find a funder for a program that focuses on similar issues. Based on their mission to promote opportunity in Los Angeles County, The California Community Foundation was identified as a funding source. Actual submission for funding of this grant were not required for the completion of this project.