NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville is one of 23 U.S. cities to win a $25,000 grant that supports mayors who are implementing strategies to address local challenges.

The grant was awarded through the Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund, which is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced this week that the grant will fund a new program to put reading mentors in middle schools next year to help students improve their reading skills.

The program will also include incentives for the students and their mentors.

This is the second year Nashville has been awarded a Cities of Service grant. The last time the funding was used to implement energy efficiency upgrades into low income homes in an area of south Nashville.