Educators' Guide to Free Books
Print the Educators'
Guide to Free Books flier. (pdf)
First
Book
The First Book National Book Bank was founded by First Book
to utilize the large volume of children's books publishers
generously offer First Book for donation each year. First
Book Advisory Boards, non profit organizations with at least
80 percent of their children coming from low-income families,
and Title 1 schools can receive books from the First Book
National Book Bank.
Heart
of American Foundation
Books From The Heart™ finds books that are not being
used and gets them to where they’re needed most...into
the hands of children and onto the empty shelves at school
libraries. Download a registration form to become a Books
From the Heart recipient at www.heartofamerica.org/pdf/recipientform.pdf.
Recipients must take final responsibility for the quality
and appropriateness of the gently used and new books provided
and agree that the books will be placed on library and classroom
shelves and given directly to students for home use.
Scholastic
Inc.
Scholastic Inc. has created Scholastic Book Grants Program,
a corporate in-kind giving initiative created to provide high-quality
reading materials to the nation's neediest young people. Scholastic
does not grant requests for the following: individuals, individual
schools, individual libraries, scholarships, scholarship funds,
political, labor, religious, fraternal or sports groups, special
events, auctions, sponsorships, fundraisers or capital campaigns.
Priority for smaller grants is given to literacy organizations
that have tax exempt classification under sections 170 (c)
or 501 (c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Requests
from organizations that serve the needs of at-risk children
or families, particularly those living in inner city or rural
areas are more likely to be granted. Nonprofit organizations
interested in applying for grants of 50-200 books must submit
requests in writing with proof of tax exempt status to: Sheryl
Shinkawa, Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Requests for book donations must indicate intended book use
and the grade levels of children to be served. Book grants
are granted on a quarterly basis during the following months:
January, April, July, and October.
Books
for Kids Foundation
The Books for Kids Foundation serves the greater New York
City Area as well as communities throughout the United States,
with local chapters in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York,
Arizona, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. They will consider groups,
including community-based family literacy programs, tutoring
and mentoring programs, shelters for homeless families, day
care centers, Head Start and After-School programs, hospitals,
schools and camps, outside of these service areas. Complete
and mail the application at www.booksforkidsfoundation.org/htm/bookgrantsapp.htm
to be considered.
Hello
Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation
The Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation was founded
by Bill Cosby and his wife Camille. Through the Classroom
Lending Library Project, the organization gives away classroom
libraries to under-resourced, mainstream, public school classrooms.
Check the Web site for a 2004 application.
Libri Foundation
The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization
that donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small,
rural public libraries in the United States through its Books
For Children program. The Foundation awards grants three times
a year. Application deadlines are: (postmarked) by March 15,
July 15, and Dec. 15. Grants are awarded April 30, Aug. 31,
and Jan. 31st. To request an application packet, e-mail your
name and your library's name and address to The Libri Foundation
at libri@librifoundation.org.
The National Home Library Foundation
The National Home Library Foundation makes cash grants ranging
from $1,000 to $25,000 each to support local and national
efforts to encourage reading and increase access to books
and will support the purchase of books or other reading materials
by libraries and community groups with limited resources.
Programs that work to combat illiteracy and those that encourage
an interest in reading or the literary arts among individuals
of all ages are eligible. To apply, send a brief proposal
including: the applicant organization's legal name and full
description and a list of officers and principal staff; a
clear, concise statement of need; a detailed budget; proof
of tax-exempt status; and a financial statement for the preceding
year. The Foundation requests that contact be made only in
writing to Lynda Robb, President, National Home Library Foundation,
Suite 600, 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
There are no application deadlines.
There are also many children’s literacy organizations
that offer programs that provide more than just books:
National
Reading
Is Fundamental (RIF)
RIF programs foster children's literacy by engaging participants
in enriching activities that spark children's interest in
reading. RIF offers a family and community involvement component,
literacy training/resources for parents and volunteers, and
the opportunity for children to experience the thrill of choosing
free books to keep. Any public agency or private nonprofit
group may apply to RIF to start a program. Reading Is Fundamental
is accepting preliminary applications for its federally funded
programs. Download the application at http://www.rif.org/assets/Documents/preliminaryform.pdf
Regional, State and Local
Page Ahead in Washington
Books for Kids
in North Carolina
Rolling Readers USA
in AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NM, NY, OH, SC,
WA, and WI
Wonder
of Reading in California
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