Reading is Leading - potential partners
Are you looking for an organization to work closely with for your next Reading is Leading project? Here is a list of literacy organizations Mortar Board has recently researched that you might want to consider:
Better World Books
Better World Books collects books from individuals and groups. Better World Books then sells these books online, donates directly to their nonprofit partners or recycles them if they can find no other use for them. All the money they receive from selling the books is donated to their nonprofit partner organizations. Many of the books they receive are from book drives held on college campuses. You can hold your own book drive to benefit Better World Books and they will pay for the shipping!
Books Beyond Borders
(512) 853-9565
Books Beyond Borders is dedicated to improving educational opportunities in developing countries throughout the world. You can support Books Beyond Borders by donating money or gently used books. You can hold a book drive to benefit Books Beyond Borders and they will pay for the shipping. Books Beyond Borders benefits EPIC.
Books for Africa
(651) 602-9844
Books for Africa was founded in 1988. They collect, sort, ship and distribute books to children in Africa. You can support Books for Africa by sponsoring a book drive for their benefit. They also accept monetary donations. They also need volunteers to help sort and pack books, plan special events and produce publications. Books for Africa is a nonprofit partner of Better World Books.
Educational Programs for the International Community-Project Schoolhouse (EPIC)
(512) 853-9565
Educational Programs for the International Community (EPIC) was founded in 2000. Their mission is to develop and implement programs in rural communities that will improve educational quality. They are in need of new or gently used books, books in Spanish, basic school supplies (excluding paper) and monetary donations. They will cover the shipping costs.
Everybody Wins!
(202) 955-1301
Everybody Wins! was founded in 1991. They are a nonprofit organization that is devoted to increasing children’s prospects for success in school and in life through one-on-one reading experiences. You can become a volunteer for Everybody Wins! or you can provide monetary donations.
First Book
1-866-READ-NOW
First Book was founded in 1992. They give children from low-income families the opportunity to own their first new books. They are looking for monetary donations and volunteers as well as planned programs to distribute books to children.
The Heart of America Foundation
(202) 347-6278
Heart of America is an organization whose goal is to give children everywhere the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference. You can support Heart of America by volunteering or offering a monetary donation.
The Parent-Child Home Program
(516) 883-7480
The Parent-Child Home Program was founded in 1965. The program is a research-based and research-validated early childhood literacy and school readiness program. They accept monetary donations.
Prison Book Program
(617) 423-3298
The Prison Book Program was founded in 1972 with a simple mission: to provide books for inmates in prisons. They accept donations of paperback books of various sorts (they must be paperback because hardcover books are not allowed in prisons), money, gift cards (bookstores, office supply stores and grocery stores) and some office supplies (such as packing tape and paper). You can also support them by volunteering. The Prison Book Program is a nonprofit partner of Better World Books.
ProLiteracy Worldwide
(315) 422-9121
ProLiteracy Worldwide was founded in 2002. They are an international organization that sponsors educational programs that help adults and their families acquire the literacy practices and skills they need to function more effectively in their daily lives. They accept monetary donations, so you can sponsor a fundraiser for their benefit.
National Center for Family Literacy
(502) 584-1133
The National Center for Family Literacy was founded in 1989. They focus on helping families succeed through literacy. You can support the National Center for Family Literacy by donating money. The National Center for Family Literacy is a nonprofit partner of Better World Books.
Reach Out and Read
(617) 629-8042
Reach Out and Read was founded in 1989. They promote early literacy in childhood by making books a routine part of pediatric care. They accept monetary donations and donations of gently used books.
Reading is Fundamental
1-877-RIF-READ
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) was established in 1966. They deliver free books to children and families who need them most. There are many RIF programs in existence all over the country where you can volunteer. If there is not a RIF program in your area, you can consider starting one. RIF also accepts monetary donations.
Room to Read
(425) 561-3331
Room to Read was founded in 2000. They partner with communities throughout the developing world (primarily Nepal, Cambodia, India, Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and South Africa) to establish schools, libraries and other education infrastructure. They accept monetary donations and bulk donations of new children’s books. They do not accept used books. Room to Read is a nonprofit partner of Better World Books.
