Here at What Do We Do All Day? the love of books is strong! We like to inspire you to read with your children and fill their shelves with books and their days with trips to the library. But not every child has the good fortune to live in an environment that supports their literacy needs. Please give back to the community by supporting charities that give books to kids and promote literacy.
Supporting the cause of widespread childhood literacy is important to me because I found such great joy in books as a kid. Whenever I felt lost I could turn to the bookshelf and by reading stories about people like me or -- better yet -- about people I dreamed of becoming, I learned a little something about what it means to be a human being. Books help us see the possibilities of life, they keep us open-minded and teach us empathy. In short, they change the world one person at a time. (I'm being a bit dramatic, but it's how I feel!)
Why give the gift of books and literacy?
According to RIF, a significant number of children living in poverty in the United States don't have books in the home. Study after study after study demonstrates that children who are surrounded by books grow up to be more literate, educated, productive (even healthier) adults. (We don't really need a study to know that!) Showing kids the value of books is not expensive, but it is life altering.
According to First Books, "For every one book or other reading resource available to a child in a low-income neighborhood, a child of means has nearly 300."
Can you see how the literacy gap perpetuates economic and social inequality? Isn't it obvious that we should help close that gap?
Short List of Literacy Charities:
I hope you'll consider giving to one of the programs below. If you can't afford a monetary donation perhaps you can volunteer, either at a local chapter or with your local library's literacy outreach program. Alternatively, find a local organization that accepts gently used books to redistribute to kids in need, and donate a few from your home library.
A gentle reminder: before giving to any organization, I suggest reading their website and using Charity Navigator to find out if a program's appropriation of its funds are in line with your priorities.
Reading is Fundamental RIF supports literacy programs nationwide and aims to put books in the hands of underprivileged children in America. Sadly, in recent years, Congress decimated their budget.
Books for Africa's self professed goal is to "end the book famine in Africa." Books for Africa is on Charity Navigator's list of 10 Top Notch Charities, with almost all of the funds going towards program expenses. It only takes 50 cents to send a book to Africa.
First Book serves schools and libraries in underprivileged areas and delivers new books to children in need in the US and Canada.
The Pajama Program gives the gift of sleepwear and a bedtime book to children, with a large portion of donations going to children who have been, or are waiting to be, adopted.
Raising a Reader does more than just distribute books. Through nationwide programs, it works closely with children and their parents to help them develop literacy strategies like teaching them read aloud and communication techniques.
Room to Read focuses on literacy and gender equality in education in ten countries in Asia and Africa. One of my favorite things they do is promote the education of girls. As they state on the website, "Educating girls and women is widely acknowledged as the most powerful and effective way to address global poverty."
Reach Out and Read serves at-risk children and "is an evidence-based nonprofit organization of medical providers who promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud."
Do you have a favorite charity that promotes literacy? Leave a comment below and let others know.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
What a great list! I don't have a charity, but when we lived in the UK the doctor's office used to give out books at well-child visits starting at 3 months or something - really nice books - and I thought that was a great way to promote early literacy.
Olga says
That’s exactly what we are starting to do in our clinic this November!!
Need to find gently used books resources!
Olga
Valley Community Healthcare
Sally Cole says
Yes, that is a great list. I have two to add.
Here in Austin, I volunteer with BookSpring (http://www.bookspring.org/). Part of what they do is work with RIF to distribute books locally, but they have other early literacy programs in addition to RIF.
There's also Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which sends books to kids in the mail. (http://usa.imaginationlibrary.com/)
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great additions to the list, Sally. We used to get books from Imagination Library and love that program. Unfortunately for us, they NYC program was suspended and my youngest never got to complete all 5 years of books, so supporting them is a great idea.
Natalie says
Love your list. We are giving to Heifer with the thought that gift of self-sustainability will lead to literacy.
Keri says
Don't forget the awesome Wegivebooks.org!
You set up a FREE account to access thousands of classic, popular, even newly-released children's books that can be read entirely online. Every time you read one to your child, the organization donates a copy of that book to the charity of the quarter. You can even vote for the charity.
It is run as a partnership of the Pearson and Penguin Groups. An amazing way to share great books with your own kids whilst making a difference for others:)
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for giving We Give Books a shout out, Keri. It's a great program, too!
writersideup says
OK, now THIS is valuable list! Thanks, Erica! 🙂
Emily M. says
Thank you! I was just thinking about our over flowing shelves if books and containers in our garage filled with hundreds of books from when I taught and wondering what to do with them all... Books for Africa us going to get a couple if boxes from our house this month!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Great! I'm so glad you found a resource to connect with.
Wilson says
Am a primary teacher in one of the private schools in Uganda,how easily should we access those books
PramgaticMom says
GREAT list! We have been to birthday parties where, in lieu of a gift, we would donate to First Book instead.
Erica MomandKiddo says
That is a fabulous idea!
Nina says
Thanks for spreading awareness about these well-deserved groups. I've donated to Room to Read and love that they focus on girls. I completely agree that raising women and girls out of poverty and illiteracy vastly improves a community.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I think a lot of people don't realize how crucial the role of literate and educated women really is.
belindambrock says
Erica, thanks for highlighting these worthwhile organizations. Promoting literacy and getting books into the hands of those who have none—especially, children— is a primary focus of my blog. You might enjoy this post: http://belindabrock.com/2013/03/22/repairing-the-world-through-the-power-of-reading/
Carol says
10 Books A Home is doing great work in the San Francisco Bay Area. http://10booksahome.org/
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you for sharing that organization, Carol. There are so many great local charities.
Laurie says
Thanks for putting this list together. I'm excited to learn about several of these groups that are new to me! Literacy is so close to my heart. I will definitely be sending part of my Christmas money in the direction of one or more of these charities.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm glad the list was useful for you, Laurie. Thanks for your comment.
Laura Freeman says
Thank you for these ideas. I'm a huge fan of your site. We donate books to a local charity in Charlotte, NC called PROMISING PAGES. They distribute donated books to social service agencies and Title I (low income schools). http://www.promisingpages.com. Local libraries are also happy to receive donations.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for your kind words, Laura and for giving Promising Pages a shout out.
Becky says
I am the Executive Director of the Ozarks Literacy Council in Springfield Missouri. We offer free one-on-ons tutoring for adults and children as well as several children's programs that promote Literacy at young ages.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Sounds like a great program.
Paige says
Books Are Wings is a non-profit organization in Rhode Island dedicated to putting free books in the hands of children. We collect new and "gently" used books and distribute these books to children ages birth-8th grade in Rhode Island's urban areas. Our programs include Book Parties where every child experiences a read-aloud, participates in a craft activity, and choses two free books to take home and keep. We run our programs in early childhood learning centers, schools, community centers and libraries. Learn more about us at http://www.booksarewings.org. Thank you!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for sharing your organization.
Karen Bunker says
The CHILD ADVOCACY TEAM, a Michigan non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity accepts and distributes new books to children who have been abused, abandoned, neglected or who are otherwise at-risk. Children range in age from 0 to 20. For more information, visit their website at http://www.l-gal.org
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for adding your organization!
Eula Morton says
How can I get free books for my library at my church for the children.
Riya Gandhi says
Amazing list. I love charities working with literacy for children. I currently work with a similar charity. Tree house Books is a charity that promotes reading and writing among children with various literacy programs all year round in Philadelphia.
you can check them out at treehousebooks.org. I loved volunteering there and I am looking forward to doing it again.
Terry Doherty says
Amazing list. It is so heartening to see so many passionate people rallying around one of the most critical blocks in a child's development.
I'd love if you'd consider adding The Reading Tub to your list. It is a 100% volunteer nonprofit that works to provide caregivers free access to tools, resources, and encouragement for literacy (inclusive of all aspects, not just reading), as well as providing books to sister nonprofits who go into homes and work with families to guide them on modeling reading skills and giving books to at-risk readers, as well as Title 1 schools so that teachers can build classroom libraries.
Erica says
Thanks, Terry! I do love the Reading Tub!
Eileen K Sweeney says
Please check out Better World Books. (https://www.betterworldbooks.com/) This awesome company collects books and resells them at ridiculously low prices and the shipping is always Free! For every book sold, they give a book to a child in need. "Our long-term relationship with our global non-profit literacy partners allows you to support literacy with every purchase. Groups like Room to Read, the National Center for Families Learning, Books for Africa and National Literacy Trust in the UK receive funding from every book we sell. Each of our nonprofit partners are passionate about platforms for economic, social and political freedom through literacy." Great work, great people.
Erica says
Thank you for sharing your organization!
Deanna Cortes says
I am looking for some help to provide books for my non profit in Oaxaca Mexico called love for Learning Oaxaca. I need mostly Spanish books kindergarten to high school. If you are interested please let me know.
Dr. Larissa Rector says
Snug as a Bug Foundation is a brand new nonprofit organization that takes donations for pajamas and books that are given to children who are admitted to the hospital unexpectedly. Their website is snugasabugfoundation.org and should be live within the next week! They are partnering with children’s hospitals across TN to begin. Check it out! Or email info@snugasabugfoundation.org for more questions!
Tye says
If anyone knows of an org that donates books for pre-school age kids please pass it along. I'm part of a project called Head Start to Literacy Initiative. We create "Lending Libraries" for local Head Start sites because far too many students from underserved communities enter school behind their peers. Kindergarten readiness is an overlooked part of the academic journey. Email - hs2literacy@gmail.com Website - https://ishankins.org/headstart/
Kim says
Up With Books in Massachusetts gives new books to children living in low-income households. They have a summer reading program that provides each child with a backpack filled with books to keep them reading through the summer months. http://www.upwithbooks.org
Christi Martin says
My organization has an event where we give Christmas Gifts and Resources to the underserved community. Part of our event this year, we will do an interactive storytime with the children that attend. I was looking for an organization in Indianapolis that has books to donate. We would love to give the gift of literacy to each student who attends by giving them a free book after storytime. Our event is Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
Please contact me at harmony2905@sbcglobal.net
Sharon says
Thank you for this! I have always given to Pajama Program and I donate my books (I'm a children's book reviewer, I get a LOT of books) to a San Francisco charity, but I wanted to see if there was another group I should also support with my end of year donations. Room to Read sounds amazing and I'm thrilled to be able to add them to my list of charities. Thank you.
Arain Muhammad Abbas says
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one”
I am Arain Muhammad Abbas working as a principal of High school named The Millennium High School here in Sindh, Pakistan. This school was started in 2023. Thanks Almighty Allah that school got a good response from society and got near about 200 admissions. We couldn’t set up a library which is very essential for students, due to financial matters. We believe that “Readers are the Leaders”. Books play an important role in the lives of students.
We eagerly wish to start the library as early as possible. In this connection, we are writing to different organizations for book donations.
It is our humble request if you would help us in this regard and send us kids’ story books and other informative subject base books from pre junior classes to till high school students.
Hope we will hear from you soon.
Regards
Arain Muhammad Abbas
The Millennium High School
Satellite Town, near Nagori Mosque
Mirpurkhas.Sindh,Pakistan
Email: lingsmillennium@gmail.com
Cell# 03332995828
Ph#0233824537