In the Community

SHARING THE MAGIC OF BOOKS THROUGH THE BOOKS FOR KIDS PROGRAM

Books for Kids

The Books for Kids project donates Global Fund for Children books and resource guides to community-based literacy groups worldwide. Books for Kids has been an integral component of the Global Fund for Children since 1996, when three copies of Children from Australia to Zimbabwe were donated to each public elementary school in North Carolina. Complementing GFC’s grantmaking program and its education and outreach mission, Books for Kids assists community organizations in expanding their educational resources as well as facilitating dialogue about diversity and multiculturalism. Books for Kids specifically targets local groups that focus on literacy issues for children and families and that demonstrate a pressing need for educational materials. By identifying nonprofit and grassroots projects that typically do not receive government funding, GFC hopes to reach children who may not otherwise have access to new and quality books.

In fiscal year 2005–2006, Books for Kids donated more than 4,000 books and resource guides, with a retail value of more than $57,000, to groups promoting children’s literacy. In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, GFC concentrated its book donations on the Gulf Coast region and on children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Among the groups to receive donations were Reader to Reader; Jamaica Community Adolescent Program; the La Capitale Chapter of the Links, Inc.; and Just One Book.

By donating books that portray positive images of young people, inspire children to become actively involved in their own education, and encourage dialogue on issues of multicultural diversity, Books for Kids advances GFC’s goal of helping children to become thoughtful, knowledgeable, and positive members of our global society. To date, the Books for Kids project has donated close to fifty thousand books, with a retail value of over $650,000, to organizations and programs promoting children’s literacy.

More Information

To read stories about GFC's funding from Oprah's Angel Network Foundation, please click here.
To apply for a Books for Kids donation, please click here.

What Our Readers Say…

“I thank you for . . . publishing [Extraordinary Girls]—that was a brilliant idea of yours—for this book really empowers young women like me, especially on hearing what some other girls in other countries are doing or have achieved regardless of their age.”
—Lucia from Chivhu, Zimbabwe

“I think the books will be treasured both for the lessons learned and for the beauty of the photographs. Many thanks!”
—Sarah, a teacher in Louisville, KY

“Promoting literacy development and fostering a life-long love for reading are important to our organization as we continue in our efforts to improve the quality of education for all children. Your contribution helped to advance our cause.”
—Cheryl R. Cooper of the National Council of Negro Women

“The generosity of donors such as The Global Fund for Children enables us to do what we do best—put books in the hands of needy children. . . .Please know that your support and belief in Reader to Reader will benefit tens of thousands of children and we have seen no better books than the wonderful titles you have supplied us with.”
—David Mazor of Reader to Reader

“I just wanted to let you know that Extraordinary Girls could easily win the award of ‘most popular book in Nepal’ right now. You would not believe the response it has gotten amongst the people with whom I’ve shared it.”
—John Wood of Room to Read

“It is such an encouragement to all of our staff to have you partner with us in the very important task of preparing our students to be happy, successful citizens in our society. We appreciate being the recipients of the generous objectives of your organization. Thank you from the faculty, staff, students, and families of Sherard Elementary School.”
—Jean Duff, Principal of Sherard Elementary School in Clarksdale, MS