As an author, obviously books are close to my heart. I am a big believer in the power of literacy, reading, and imagination to change lives.
If you are like me, and would love to make a difference through the power of books, here’s a list of various book, reading, and literacy organizations to check out! Your involvement can come in so many ways, large and small, including giving money, giving your time, or donating new or gently used books!
*Disclaimer: I checked each of these organizations against Charity Navigator, and all rated 4 stars and a 94% or higher score. But I did not do in depth research. I recommend doing an in depth check yourself.
START LOCAL
While I’ve provided U.S. and worldwide organizations below, I highly recommend starting local. Not only will you be giving back to your community, but it often makes volunteering easier as well. A few ideas to get you going…
Your Local Library
Literacy, Book, Writing Organizations for Children and/or Adults
ESL (English as a Second Language) Organizations/Schools
Prisons / Juvenile Detention Centers
Book Collection/Distribution Organizations
Homelss Shelters
Foster Care System
School Libraries
Pre-Schools
U.S. & WORLDWIDE
826 NATIONAL
U.S. | Youth Writing
Their mission is to inspire the limitless potential of writing and demonstrate how it can be utilized as a means for youth to spark and direct their imagination, champion their own voice and that of their community, and attain academic and career accomplishments on a global scale.
BOOK AID INTERNATIONAL
Worldwide | Book Availability
This U.K. organization helps make books available around the world in libraries, schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and prisons.
BOOKS FOR AFRICA
Africa | Book Availability
They collect, sort, ship, and distribute books across the continent of Africa, sending over 50 million books to every African country.
BOOKS FOR KIDS
U.S. | Early Childhood Literacy
This organization is working to end educational inequalities by ensuring that kids ages 0-5 are fully supported on their journey to literacy.
BOOK TRUST
U.S. | Books for Kids
This group aims to increase book choice and ownership, inspire a love of reading, and promote a culture of literacy in communities.
CHILDREN’S LITERACY INITIATIVE
U.S. | Educating Teachers
This group works with Pre-K to 3rd-grade teachers to transform the way they teach literacy through job-embedded coaching, workshops, and book provisions.
CURIOUS LEARNING
Worldwide | Digital Reading
This group works with partners to curate, localize, and distribute free open-source apps that empower everyone to have the opportunity to learn to read.
DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
U.S. | Books for Kids 0-5
This organization is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books to children from birth to age five through local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
EVERYBODY WINS!
U.S. | Mentoring Kids
This group sets up Power Lunches, where an adult mentor is paired with a child to read together.
FERST READERS
U.S. | Children
Ferst Readers is dedicated to assisting children in communities that lack school readiness or basic literacy by focusing on the earliest stages of development.
FIRST BOOK
U.S. | Brand New Books for Families
They aim to transform the lives of children by providing affordable access to brand-new books. The First Book Marketplace program makes learning materials more affordable, and the First Book National Book Bank is the largest clearinghouse for new books donated by publishers in the US.
LITERACY FOR INCARCERATED TEENS
New York, U.S. | Incarcerated Teens
They aim to combat illiteracy among incarcerated young adults aged 8 to 17 in the New York Juvenile Detention System by establishing and supporting school libraries in juvenile justice detention centers and providing age-appropriate literacy programs.
MAKE WAY FOR BOOKS
U.S. | Books for Under-Resourced Sites
This organization provides books to under-resourced sites, such as childcare centers that have few quality books for young children. It also offers early literacy workshops for educators and parents.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNING
U.S. | Family Literacy
This group focuses on engaging entire families in their literacy and learning programs, recognizing that reading and education are family activities.
PAJAMA PROGRAM
U.S. | Children in the Foster Care System
They provide new pajamas, storybooks, and resources for caregivers to ensure that every child has access to the gift of comfortable sleepwear and a bedtime book.
PROJECT NIGHT NIGHT
U.S. | Homeless Children
This organization helps homeless children 12 and under “have sweeter dreams.” by donating Night Night Packages, which include a security blanket, a new book appropriate for the child’s age, and a stuffed animal.
PROLITERACY
U.S. | Adult Literacy
This organization believes every grown-up person has the right to acquire literacy skills with a goal to advocate for adult education and literacy on a global scale.
RAISING A READER
U.S. | Family Literacy Strategies
Through nationwide programs, they work closely with children and their parents to help them develop literacy strategies like teaching them read aloud and communication techniques.
REACH OUT AND READ
U.S. | Children Birth-5
This organization focuses on promoting the cognitive growth of children between birth and age five, especially those from economically challenged families. They partner with pediatric medical providers to merge their approach with routine pediatric appointments.
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
U.S. | Children’s Literacy
This nonprofit is working to fight the national literacy crisis in the U.S., working closely with publishers, schools, community centers, health clinics, migrant camps, homeless shelters, and more to get books and reading resources to kids in need.
READING PARTNERS
U.S. | Behind-Grade-Level Readers
The organization recruits and trains community volunteers to work with students who are identified as being six months or more behind reading grade level. These reading partners deliver tutoring sessions twice a week, helping students to develop lifelong literacy abilities.
ROOM TO READ
Worldwide | Education
Focused on educating children, and in particular, supporting girls to complete secondary school. They actively collaborate with local villages to establish schools and libraries across the world.
UNITED THROUGH READING
U.S. | Military Families
This program helps military families stay connected despite being separated due to deployment or military assignment by promoting shared storytime experiences.
WATERBRIDGE OUTREACH
Worldwide | Water & Reading
This organization focuses on promoting literacy and clean water access in developing societies by supporting both mobile and stationary libraries and provide indispensable materials for reading and education purposes, as well as funding clean water and sanitation projects in these communities.
WORLD LITERACY FOUNDATION
Worldwide | Literacy Promotion
Their mission is to eliminate poverty worldwide by promoting literacy. They offer educational resources, books, and literacy support to children who are struggling with reading and writing worldwide.
WORLDREADER
Worldwide | Digital Books
They aim to promote literacy across the globe with low-cost technology, particular digital reading, and culturally relevant titles, helping to reach out to places where books are scarce and reading is a luxury.
Author Kristen McKanagh 