11 Organizations That Promote Literacy

Room to Read is a global organization devoted to promoting literacy and girl's education. According to their website, their ambitious goal is to "invest in the lives of at least 15 million children by 2020." Each year, the outstanding organization gets a little bit closer by providing nearly one million kids with outstanding educational programs and essential learning materials they need to succeed. Help Room to Read accomplish their dreams and change the lines of millions of children by donating, fundraising, or joining a local chapter and attending a local event near you.

Reading Is Fundamental has recognized a national literacy crisis in America which it is committed to creating a more literate country. They work hand-in-hand with book publishers, distributors, schools, community centers, health clinics, migrant camps, and homeless shelters to provide kids in need with books and other important reading resources they couldn't otherwise have access too. If you're interested in helping them meet their goal of a completely literate America, you can donate online, by mail, or by phone.

Like Reading Is Fundamental, the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) recognizes that reading and education is a family activity. That is why their organization is dedicated to engaging not just children but entire families in creating learning programs that raise literacy levels for everyone. According to their website, they have been successful in helping over two million families across the United States. You can find out how to donate or volunteer online.

The organization behind World Book Day, Book Aid International is a global charity based in the U.K. that provides one million brand new books to over 3,000 libraries every year. Most of their efforts are focused in Africa, but they also have a small but important project in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Help them send books everywhere, from city slums to stateside prisons, by donating or volunteering on behalf of global literacy.

There are dozens of organizations who strive to grant prisoners with access to books and education material, but Literacy for Incarcerated Teens focuses on one very important population: youth. Based in New York, it aims to end illiteracy in incarcerated teens by creating engaging libraries in NYC's juvenile prisons that will inspire teens to love reading. You can help this criminally underserved group by donating to this one of a kind non-profit online.

Everybody Wins! uses a unique shared reading experience approach to inspire children to love reading. It pairs one adult mentor with one child for a Power Lunch, the organization's signature program that gets adults and kids reading together. Since its founding in 1995, Everybody Wins! has supported over 60,000 children and donated nearly 200,000 books to students in need. If you have one hour once a week, you can apply to become a mentor, or find out how to donate books and money online.

Formally the New York chapter of the Everybody Wins! program, Read Ahead is another inspiring mentoring program that encourages children to enjoy reading by making it a fun and shared activity. They are currently serving over 1,000 students with the help of 1,200 mentors across 16 different schools. If you're in the Big Apple, find out if your employer is a Read Ahead partner organization and apply to join the Page Turners mentor program.

An organization founded to combat the 20% global illiteracy rate, World Literacy Foundation uses research and advocacy to improve literacy in communities around the world. Current projects include eradicating illiteracy across 25 countries, including Australia, the U.S., and others in Africa and Latin America. You can help fight the good fight by volunteering or donating to one of three charities: North America, United Kingdom and Europe, or World Literacy Foundation.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush founded her Foundation for Family Literacy over 25 years ago as a non-profit meant to empower families through reading and literacy. The organization provides children and adults across the country with quality literacy programs, mentoring programs, scholarships, and more. You can advocate on behalf of literacy with the Barbara Bush Foundation by getting involved in your local community, or donating money to support the organization's vital programs.

Milk and Bookies is an inspiring non-profit organization that not only promotes literacy and reading, but teaches children about the importance of community work and giving. In addition to an empowering Leaders + Readers program for student volunteers in the Los Angeles area, Milk and Bookies host "book-raisers" that encourage kids to pick, inscribe, and donate books to other children who can't afford them. You can donate or get involved by hosting your very own book drive in your community.

First Book is a socially empowering non-profit that gets books, learning materials, and essential educational tools into the hands of children in need. Founded in 1992, it has provided over 160 million books and other resources to low-income families all around the country. You can join the cause and help children learn, regardless of their family's economic conditions, by donating, fundraising, or getting books.