Leadership Message
As we reflect on 2022 and the many ways Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has made an impact on children’s literacy, it is important to recognize the vast community that has come together to support our important work from classroom teachers to media specialists, school leaders to community leaders, parents, grandparents and caregivers, community volunteers and donors. Our community of like-minded reading champions, committed to children’s literacy, makes a difference every day in helping RIF bring books, literacy resources, and the joy of reading to children all year long.
Our work has never been more critical, as evidenced by the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading performance results. Reading scores nationwide went down to levels we haven’t seen in 30 years. While progress has been lost, RIF remains committed to a future where every child reads and will continue to support the nation’s academic recovery and student achievement through our work to engage and motivate children around reading.
This year RIF has expanded into new communities, launched a middle school family literacy initiative, added timely and relevant literacy content to our free online book resource website, Literacy Central, grew our partner employee engagement activities, increased professional development support to our educator community and much more. We remain focused on creating a culture of literacy in schools and at home and getting more books into the hands of children. And we can’t do this important work without the generous support from donors, foundations, and corporate partners. We remain in awe of your commitment to RIF each year and are grateful for the trust you place in us.
Partners in Literacy
Thank you to our corporate, foundation, and community partners who generously give time, energy, and resources to ensure children have the critical foundation that reading provides.
A Brighter Future Because of YOU!
Thanks to all the generous donors, foundations, organizations, and companies who tirelessly work alongside us to improve the literacy rate across the country. Together, we make an impact in the lives of children.
Literacy Benefactors - $1 Million or more
Amazon • Dollar General Corporation & Dollar General Literacy Foundation • Estate of John Vincent Neal+ • Macy's, Inc. • PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Literacy Steward - $100,000 to $999,999
Fidelity Foundation & Fidelity Investments • International Paper • Nancy Denty Inter Vivos Trust+ • Mr. John* & Mrs. Judith Remondi+ • Starbucks & The Starbucks Foundation • Trane Technologies • The Bingham Trust • UGI Utilities, Inc.
Literacy Patron $50,000 to $99,999
GISH • Macmillan Publishers • The Bookworm Box LLC • Mr. J.J.* & Mrs. Shubha Johnson+ • Mr. Mike & Ms. Christy Moberly+
Literacy Sponsor $25,000 to $49,999
A&E Real Estate • Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC • Lawrence B. Benenson+ • Ms. Lyn Hensle-Hirsch+ • The Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation, Inc.+ • Mr. David E. & Mrs. Pamela K. Leonard+ • Navient Community Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation • The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Inc. • Nestlé USA • O'Reilly Automotive Foundation • Pitney Bowes Inc. & Pitney Bowes Foundation • Rundgren Foundation+ • Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust+ • State Farm Insurance Company
Literacy Champion $10,000 to $24,999
BI Worldwide • Bound to Stay Bound Books Foundation • Clarke-Winchcole Foundation • Commonwealth Cares Fund, Inc. • Edward J. Muto Trust+ • Eluned & Edward Russell Charitable Foundation+ • Frank Family Foundation Fund+ • Mr. Joel P. & Mrs. Jackie Gebbie+ • iON Group • Ms. Susan S. Merrill+ • Mr. Gerald Graham & Ms. Emily N. Moore+* • Ms. Marion K. Novak+ • Pat Harber Living Trust+ • Rita J. Donovan Living Trust+ • Mrs. Lynda Johnson Robb & The Honorable Charles S. Robb+ • Mr. Robert H. Sievers+
Literacy Mentor $5,000 to $9,999
Mrs. Susan Okie Bush • Ms. Mary Evans • Mr. Ronald F. & Mrs. Andrea M. Foisy+ • Harold Yellen Charitable Foundation • Kappa Kappa Gamma • The Kettering Family Foundation • Ms. Rae Krelitz • Mr. Mark & Ms. Katherine Lefanowicz • Mann Family Foundation • Ms. Meredith Murphy • Mrs. Margaret M. Pastor+ • Dr. Sashank Reddy • The Robert & Margaret McNamara Foundation 3 • Dr. Steven J. Strober • Synchrony Foundation • Dr. Alexander C. Templeton • Ms. Teresa Thongsinthusak
Literacy Partner $2,500 to $4,999
Beazley Group • Ms. Valerie Block • Mrs. Jennifer A. Carver • Mr. Jeffrey L. Dennis • Mr. Christopher DiMattia • Mr. Scott Power & Ms. Channing Dungey • Mr. James Fitzgerald • Mr. Delbert R. French, II • Ms. Gail Gregg • Mr. Barrett Guthrie • Ms. Susan H. Helsel • Mr. Christopher Hill & Ms. Jeanne Hill • Ira S. & Anna Galkin Charitable Trust • Mr. James T. Knowles • The Lagemann Foundation • Mr. Frank & Mrs. Alicia Levi*+ • Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund • Ms. Michelle Mesack* • Ms. Megan Okesson • Penguin Random House • Ms. Sandra Reinecke • Ms. Kathryn Shahani • Ms. Phyllis M. Sharp • Ms. Margaret Siber • Mr. Jeff Spencer • Mr. Roger L. Strong • Mr. Fred & Ms. Barbara Van Looy • Mr. Rick Zimmerman*
2022 RIF Supporter List includes support received Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022 *Current Board Members +The 1966 Society
With Gratitude for Your Support & Trust
Reading Is Fundamental is the leading voice for children’s literacy. We address the alarming literacy crisis in America today through strong leadership, quality content, and an active and engaged community.
Our commitment to awareness, impact, and sustainability has allowed RIF to receive the endorsement of some of the most prestigious charity watch organizations and consumer advocates. We are proud to be worthy of their trust and hope that you will take time to review our financials, results, and ratings as key indicators of our strong commitment to being worthy of your trust.
"Through our partnership with RIF, we are not only providing open access to resources and books to youth from underrepresented communities, but ensuring that those books serve as mirrors and windows; they are full of characters that look like them, written by authors they look up to, and enable them to re-discover their joy of reading and charting their paths to a bright future." - Sam DiScipio, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Giving & Volunteerism at Macy's
LEGAL DESIGNATION OF READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
Reading Is Fundamental is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our legal name and address are: Reading Is Fundamental 750 First Street, NE Suite 920, Washington, DC 20002
Federal tax identification number: 52-0976257
DONATE TO RIF
Learn about the variety of ways that you can support RIF: visit RIF.org, contact us at Development@RIF.org or call 1-877-RIF-READ (1-877-743-7323).
All gifts to RIF support our work to provide free print and digital books to children, enriching supplementary content and resources, and support for educators, families, volunteers, and caregivers.