From nonprofits that provide free books to children to organizations that help promote adult literacy, these six bookish charities are all worth supporting—and you may even have trouble picking just one!
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
Founded in 1966, this Washington, D.C.–based charity serves to promote literacy in America by boosting interest in reading among children. The organization provides resources, such as books, STEM-related classroom activities and other content, to underprivileged communities nationwide The largest nonprofit related to children’s literacy in the United States, RIF has reportedly distributed more than 415 million books to 50 million children as of winter 2019.
Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program
Based out of Seattle, Washington, Page Ahead provides literacy and children’s books services to children across the state. Founded in 1990, the organization has provided 3 million new books to over 850,000 kids. In their mission to help turn children into avid readers, Page Ahead sponsors programs like Book Up Summer, which allows students from kindergarten through second grade a chance to stock up on summer reading materials at book fairs for no cost.
Book’em
This Nashville-based literacy organization provides thousands of books to nonprofits that serve underprivileged children in the city. Since its establishment in 1989, Book’em has provided books to charities like Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, Metro Nashville Schools and more. Each year, Book’em also sponsors Read Me Week, a special celebration of reading at local schools.
Reading Works
You can support adult literacy by donating to Reading Works, a volunteer-based tutoring program that provides free reading, writing, and ESL guidance to adults with low literacy skills. Founded in 2007, the organization matches learners with math and digital literacy lessons tailored to their needs and skill level. In 2017, Reading Works was named a Best Practice in Literacy Honoree by the Library of Congress.
Read Ahead
Freedom to Read, Inc.
If you want to support efforts to improve literacy internationally, you can also donate to Freedom To Read, Inc. The organization seeks to improve literacy skills and library access for people in the Bahamas. It provides print and electronic materials to the Bahamas Library Services, as well as training and teaching for library attendants. The organization also sponsors literary services to residents of the Out Islands. Ready to get started? Pick your bookish charity here and make sure to sign in through smile.amazon.com when shopping!
