GETTING BOOKS INTO CHILDREN’S HOMES
CHANGES THEIR LIVES AND OURS
Better Futures Begin with Books
Exciting News: Announcing our Greater Milwaukee Facility
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Mission
OWNING A BOOK CAN OPEN UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR A CHILD
Books in a child’s home are the single biggest indicator of academic success – surpassing income, parents’ education, and all other factors. If you want to make a difference in children’s lives, now and in the future, there’s no better way than to help us get books into the homes and hands of children who need them most.
Impact
OUR GOAL: BUILD A LIBRARY IN EVERY HOME IN AMERICA TODAY
The stark reality is that too many children grow up with little or no books in their home. Every child, regardless of background, should own books to ignite their curiosity and fuel their dreams. Since 2009, we’ve hand-delivered tens of millions of free high-quality books – and we won’t stop until every child has a library of books to call their own.
Why We’re Here
32
Million
An estimated 32 million children in the United States lack access to books in the homes, schools, and communities.1
What We Do
29
million
We’ve distributed 29 million free quality children’s books and counting.
315
Thousand
315,500 children receive 8 free quality books every year, from birth through sixth grade, building a library of 96 books.
<$2.00
The average retail price of a children’s book is $13.30. We source, process and distribute a book for less than $2.
5
Year
Completed a 5-year Randomized Control Trial conducted with Milwaukee Public Schools studying the impact providing free books has on students’ reading achievement.4
1. ILA, Literacy Now, 2020 Back to citation 1
2. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Back to citation 2
3. Council on Early Childhood, 2014 Back to citation 3
4. Randomized Control Trial, 2018-2023 Back to citation 4
Partners
PARTNER WITH US, AND LET’S REWRITE THE FUTURE
There is a literacy crisis in our country. The good news? At Bernie’s Book Bank, we’re laser-focused on solving this solvable problem – and through partnership and with your support, we will.
Partner Profiles:
Zebra
Zebra Technologies has been a steadfast champion of Bernie’s Book Bank since 2012. Their support through tech donations, expert guidance, hands-on volunteering, and event sponsorships enables us to deliver more books to more children in need.
KPMG
Partnering to combat childhood illiteracy, KPMG Family for Literacy (KFFL) and Bernie’s Book Bank deliver books to all 72 Big Shoulders Fund schools. Each year, hundreds of employees join KFFL’s day of service, driving impact across Chicagoland.
Reed Construction
Reed Construction Foundation proudly supports Bernie’s Book Bank through volunteerism, corporate book drives, and event sponsorships — helping build a stronger community for future generations through the power of book ownership.
abbvie
Since 2014, Bernie’s Book Bank has proudly hosted AbbVie volunteers as part of Week of Possibilities. This long-standing partnership mobilizes thousands of volunteers each year to process over 500,000 children’s books, making a lasting impact across local communities.
Book Outlet
Book Outlet partners with Bernie’s Book Bank to ensure children, no matter their economic status, have access to books. Their collaboration creates efficiencies that help deliver more books to more children, expanding impact and reach.
Zebra
Zebra Technologies has been a steadfast champion of Bernie’s Book Bank since 2012. Their support through tech donations, expert guidance, hands-on volunteering, and event sponsorships enables us to deliver more books to more children in need.
KPMG
Partnering to combat childhood illiteracy, KPMG Family for Literacy (KFFL) and Bernie’s Book Bank deliver books to all 72 Big Shoulders Fund schools. Each year, hundreds of employees join KFFL’s day of service, driving impact across Chicagoland.
Reed Construction
Reed Construction Foundation proudly supports Bernie’s Book Bank through volunteerism, corporate book drives, and event sponsorships — helping build a stronger community for future generations through the power of book ownership.
abbvie
Since 2014, Bernie’s Book Bank has proudly hosted AbbVie volunteers as part of Week of Possibilities. This long-standing partnership mobilizes thousands of volunteers each year to process over 500,000 children’s books, making a lasting impact across local communities.
Book Outlet
Book Outlet partners with Bernie’s Book Bank to ensure children, no matter their economic status, have access to books. Their collaboration creates efficiencies that help deliver more books to more children, expanding impact and reach.
