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FAQ

What is First Book?
When was First Book founded?
How many books has First Book distributed?
How can I receive books through First Book?
How can I get involved?
What is an Advisory Board?
How is First Book funded?
How can I make a monetary donation to First Book?
Is my donation tax-deductible?
How can I donate books to First Book?

What is First Book?

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.

When was First Book founded?

First Book was founded in 1992, when current President, Kyle Zimmer, and two friends joined together to create an organization to deliver books to children in need. In that first year, First Book distributed 12,000 books in three communities. Now in its 16th year, First Book will deliver approximately 8 Million books in 2008.

How many books has First Book distributed?

First Book has provided more than 60 million brand new books to children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide.

How can I receive books through First Book?

Please refer to our Register with First Book page at: http://register.firstbook.org.

How can I get involved?

At the local level, activities are managed by First Book Advisory Boards. First Book Advisory Boards (ABs) are an extensive network of volunteer community leaders serving as ambassadors dedicated to fundraising, providing book grants to local literacy programs, and raising awareness of literacy issues within communities, college campuses and universities.

First Book also needs volunteers to help with book distributions and special events across the nation. Please click here for more information on getting involved: contact us for more information on getting involved.

What is an Advisory Board?

An Advisory Board is a committee of local volunteers from all sectors (nonprofit, business, and government) of the community as well as independent individuals who join forces to provide new books to children participating in local literacy programs. Advisory Board members work with First Book staff to achieve the following goals:

Select programs to receive book grants

Raise funds to support the purchase of new books for the children in these programs.

Recruit other members who represent a professional and cultural cross-section of the community.

Participate in national cause-based marketing events and campaigns.

How is First Book funded?

First Book works closely with its network of corporate partners to develop new and innovative ways to use private sector strategies for the public good. First Book receives more than 80% of its funding from cause-based marketing campaigns developed in partnership with some of America's leading corporations and organizations. Our award-winning cause-related marketing campaigns are as diverse as our partners and are recognized as the best in the business. Combining the power of First Book's print, online, and retail partnerships with the ability to host localized events in more than 300 markets, First Book implements multi-dimensional campaigns that drive traffic, increase sales, and build brand awareness for First Book's partners while raising money to fund new books for children from low-income families. By leveraging the effectiveness of its proven model, First Book builds and supports its Advisory Board network, and raises money to provide millions of new books each year.

How can I make a monetary donation to First Book?

You can donate to First Book online via credit cardor by mailing a check to the address below. Every $2.50 donated provides one new book for a child in need.

First Book
1319 F St. NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004

If you would like to donate stocks or bonds, please contact us.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

First Book is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations to First Book are tax-deductible.

Can I donate books to First Book?

First Book accepts large-scale donations of new books directly from publishers. If you’re interested in becoming a publishing partner, contact us via the First Book National Book Bank

First Book does not accept donations of used or new books from individuals. However, the proceeds of your used books can fund new books for kids in need.

For information on First Book subsidiaries (the First Book National Book Bank and the First Book Marketplace), please refer to our Register with First Book page.