Reach Out and Read

As a kid, I loved to read. Reading is a cross generational pursuit that just never stops. Learning to read and appreciate reading at a young age has been shown to positively impact educational success. It spurs verbal understanding, vocabulary development, critical thinking, curiosity and so much more.

Reach Out and Read recognizes the importance of reading starting at a young age – the younger the better. To support that, they have developed a program to provide books to children between 6 months and 5-years during pediatrician visits. In essence, when a child goes to the doctor he is given a book appropriate to his development level.

This video provides a great overview of the program and its success.

Unlike most nonprofit organizations, Reach Out and Read has been the focus of a number of studies to review the efficacy of the initiative. The results are overwhelmingly positive. The simple task of giving a child a book and encouraging parents to read with their child has enormous long-term benefits.

This organization received a Silver rating for transparency from Guidestar and a three-star rating from Charity Navigator. Both organizations have published the 990s for Reach Out and Read. Additionally, their financial statements and 990 filings are available on their website, as is their 2015-2016 Annual Report.

To learn more about Reach Out and Read or to support this organization, visit their website here: http://www.reachoutandread.org/.

For additional information:

Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6536

Guidestar: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/04-3481253