September is National Literacy Month! This awareness month focuses on getting children connected to local libraries and reading programs. Libraries are an important part of literacy, learning, entertainment, and community connection, but there are still barriers to accessing books and literacy. In this article, we list an assortment of organizations and nonprofits related to reading and books.
Image Description: Each letter of the word "READ" form their own bookshelf filled with books. The letters are hung on a sky blue wall.
Credit: Ishaq Robin / Unsplash via Webador
Reading and Book Resources
- Book Aid International - Book Aid International "provide[s] new books around the world and work with our partners to create reading spaces, train teachers and librarians and spark a love of reading." Learn more at https://bookaid.org/.
- Book Industry Charitable Foundation - The goal of Book Industry Charitable Foundation is to "assist bookstore employees and comic retailers facing hardship and support career development." Learn more at https://www.bincfoundation.org/.
- Book Trust - The mission of Book Trust is to "provid[e] all children equitable access to books of choice in order to promote reading motivation and engagement." Learn more at https://booktrust.org/.
- Community of Literary Magazines and Presses - The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses works to "help independent literary publishers thrive to ensure a vibrant, diverse literary landscape." Learn more at https://www.clmp.org/.
- First Book - The mission of First Book is "To create systemic change. To ensure equal access to quality education. To empower every educator and all the children in need whom they serve." Learn more at https://firstbook.org/.
- Girls Write Now - Girls Write Now seeks to "break down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor and train the next generation of writers and leaders for life. Together, our community channels the power of our voices and stories to shape culture, impact industries and inspire change." Learn more at https://girlswritenow.org/.
- Lambda Literary - The mission of Lambda Literary is to " nurture and advocate for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve our legacies, and affirm the value of our stories and our lives." Learn more at https://lambdaliterary.org/.
- Little Free Library - Little Free Library's mission is to "be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes." Learn more at https://littlefreelibrary.org/.
- National Braille Press - The mission of the National Braille Press is to "empower the blind and visually impaired with programs, materials, and technology supporting braille literacy and learning through touch." Learn more at https://www.nbp.org/.
- Pajama Program - The mission of the Pajama Program is "to promote equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive." Learn more at https://pajamaprogram.org/.
- PEN America - Pen America's mission is to "unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible." Learn more at https://pen.org/.
- Prisoners Literature Project - This organization is a "grassroots group that sends hundreds of free book packages to needy prisoners in the United States every month." Learn more at https://www.prisonlit.org/.
- Project Night Night - The mission of Project Night Night is to "provide free Night Night Packages to homeless children from birth to pre-teen who need our childhood essentials to have a concrete and predictable source of security and increased exposure to high-quality literacy materials during this time of upheaval. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children’s book, and a stuffed animal — all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag." Learn more at https://www.projectnightnight.org/.
- ProLiteracy - According to their website, "ProLiteracy builds the capacity of adult literacy programs to transform lives and communities." Learn more at https://proliteracy.org/.
- Raising a Reader - Raising a Reader works to "support families to build, practice and grow reading routines at home." Learn more about this nonprofit at https://raisingareader.org/.
- Reading is Fundamental - The goal of this organization is to "inspir[e] a passion for reading among all children, providing quality content to make an impact and engaging communities in the solution to give every child the fundamentals for success." Learn more at https://www.rif.org/.
- Reading Partners - Reading Partners' mission is to "mobilize communities to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade." Learn more at https://readingpartners.org/.
- Ready Readers - This organization seeks to "prepare preschool-age children living in low-income communities to become readers by reading aloud to them, providing high quality books, and offering literacy-related experiences." Learn more at https://www.readyreaders.org/.
- Room to Read - Room to Read seeks to create " a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that prepares them to lead fulfilled lives and make positive change — in their families, communities and the world. Learn more at https://www.roomtoread.org/.
- Traveling Stories - Traveling Stories' mission is to "empower kids to outsmart poverty by helping them fall in love with reading." Learn more at https://www.travelingstories.org/.
- United Through Reading - United Through Reading works to "unite military families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud." Learn more at https://unitedthroughreading.org/.
- VIDA - VIDA tracks the gender breakdown in the literary arts. Learn more about their work as literary watchdogs at https://www.vidaweb.org/the-count/.
- Women's Prison Book Project - This all-volunteer organization works to "provid[e] women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics." Learn more at https://wpbp.org/.
- We Need Diverse Books - We Need Diverse Books seeks to "advocate [for] essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people." Learn more at https://diversebooks.org/.
- World Literacy Foundation - The mission of the World Literacy Foundation is to see that "every child regardless of geographic location has the opportunity to acquire literacy skills and books to reach their full potential – succeeding at school and beyond." Learn more at https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/.
- World Reader - World Reader's mission is to "make it easier for young children to read more books, more frequently, with the support of their caregivers." Learn more at https://www.worldreader.org/.
Sources:
- https://greatnonprofits.org/city/boston/MA/category:literacy/sort:review_count/direction:desc
- https://bookriot.com/bookish-nonprofits-and-organizations/
- https://bookriot.com/book-charities/
- https://lookslikebooks.com/book-charities/
- https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/charities-that-give-books-to-children/
- https://lithub.com/here-are-some-awesome-literary-organizations-to-support-this-givingtuesday/
- https://thestackspodcast.com/2021/11/29/nonprofit-organizations-the-support-literacy/
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