Looking to give a dollar amount to a nonprofit that focuses on using books and literacy to empower people? Then here’s a list of programs for you.
For whatever reason, some nonprofits don’t accept used books, or any books as a matter of fact. These charities prefer that donors give actual dollars to fund their programs.
As I’ve been asked a few times about programs like this, I’ve put together a list of nonprofits that prefer monetary donations.
Nashville Book Connection
This is a really great nonprofit in Nashville with a real focus on personalizing a child’s reading experience.
Nashville Book Connection works with local elementary schools to grow the home libraries of the children it works with by understanding what interests them and building relationships. After all, we all know the best way to get a kid to read is to pick a topic they’re interested in!
This is where your donation can help: fulfilling the requests of the young students the program works with.
If you’re looking to donate books in Nashville, our guide will show you all the places accepting them!
Look. It’s My Book! (Peoria, IL)
Servicing public school children in Peoria, Look. It’s My Book has given out over 300,000 books to children from kindergarten through fourth grade since their conception in 2008.
Founder Janet Roth promises that every child in the Peoria public school system will have 7 new books a year; 35 by the time they finish fourth grade.
They have volunteer options for warehouse organization, packing, and fundraisers.
Kate’s Kart (Fort Wayne, IN)
This nonprofit based out of Fort Wayne supports hospitalized children by providing them with the comfort of a new book in times of distress.
They serve children in Northeast Indiana as well as Northwest Ohio.
Donations of brand new books can be dropped off at their headquarters, at the below address, otherwise, follow the link to give to this really inspiring cause.
Drop Off: Kate’s Kart, Inc., 10376 Leo Road, Suite A, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm)
BookStart Fund (Fort Wayne, IN)
The second organization on the list to originate from Fort Wayne, BookStart is dependent on donations to provide baby and toddler books for children aged 0-3 in Allen and DeKalb counties.
They work with ten nonprofits in Fort Wayne to distribute the books to children from low-income backgrounds.
Harvest of Books (Lincoln, NE)
A school-backed program in the Lincoln book donation scene, Harvest of Books has some eye-opening numbers. Since their inception in 1997, they’ve donated over 250,000 brand new books to first and second graders in both public and private schools across Lincoln and the surrounding areas.
As their name suggests, they make the donations during the Harvest each fall, bringing joy to kids with a brand new book of their own. Help them secure the funds for this by donating on their website below.
Words Alive (San Diego, CA)
This nonprofit serves over 5,000 elementary and high school students in San Diego County through their programs such as Rolling Readers and Adolescent Book Group.
They strive to improve the literacy levels of kids who don’t readily have access to books at home, and any donation can help keep this awesome program going. If you’re looking for other spots to donate books in San Diego, our detailed guide will show you everyone else who takes gently used books.
Story Orchard (Minneapolis, MN)
Founded by Minneapolis elementary school teacher Lesley De Paz, Story Orchard started with just a bike and a mission to deliver books to children in-need!
Now, the nonprofit has evolved to not only deliver books through their signature “Book Bikemobile”, but also provide books for local schools as well as a community book room where anyone can come and receive books.
You can donate monetarily, or purchase one of the books on their book lists on their website. Why not also check out our guide on where to donate books in Minneapolis for other local suggestions!
Reading is Fundamental (Washington, DC)
This is officially the largest literacy nonprofit in America!
Reading is Fundamental, or RIF, has distributed over 430 million books since their inception in 1966! That’s certainly the biggest number I’ve ever come across, and they continue to great work not only in DC, but countrywide, including all territories, today.
Find out where to donate books in Washington DC if you’re looking to unload gently used books in the area.
These are currently all the local organizations I know of in America who are appreciative of monetary donations. If you would like to be added to the list, please get in touch!
Cover image credit: Words Alive