The Pandemic is Crippling Education

For millions of students, especially those in low-income communities, the widening digital divide and extended summer slide as a result of COVID-19 is devastating. Nearly 40% lack access to reliable internet and functioning digital devices they can use for online learning, making the need for physical books and resources to prevent further educational backsliding critical. This is only possible with your help.

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Back to School 2020: Connect for a Great Start

First Book listened to educators about their concerns heading into this unique school year, and has compiled a range of resources aimed at supporting teachers and students on a variety of pressing subjects as they head back to school.

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Empowering Educators to Have Conversations with Students about Race

From First Book and Pizza Hut: A series of free resources designed to support educators in helping their students engage in effective, courageous conversations about race and social justice.

Support Communities Affected by Hurricane Laura

Your donation to this disaster relief fund will support those impacted by Hurricane Laura in the form of books, educational resources, hygiene kits, and other essentials.

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The Pandemic is Crippling Education

Back to School 2020: Connect for a Great Start

Empowering Educators to Have Conversations with Students about Race

Support Communities Affected by Hurricane Laura

Support kids in need during Back to School 2020. You can help here.

Mapping the Areas of Greatest Need: First Book’s COVID-19 Activation Network

First Book’s COVID-19 Activation Network map demonstrates the intense breadth and depth of need by plotting the thousands of educators funding requests we received in the wake of coronavirus-caused school closings. In partnership with PolicyMap, First Book developed the interactive map to both quantify and qualify the need. By clicking on the different map markers, you can see each individual educator’s story–read about their efforts to reach their kids amid shutdowns and social distancing, how they are working around limited access to Internet, and what they are doing to keep their kids engaged and learning.

Data mapped by PolicyMap, an online GIS mapping tool.

Our Mission

We believe that education is the best path out of poverty for kids in need.

But access to quality education is far from equal. Significant barriers stand in the way for kids in low-income communities, including scarce books and learning materials and a lack of diversity in the books that do reach them. Even their most basic needs go unmet. First Book’s mission is to remove these barriers so every child has the chance to learn.

Video generously funded by C&S Wholesale Grocers.

The Need

Our Solution

First Book's models are built to address the systemic causes of educational inequity and create permanent change—not simply in the life of one child who wants to learn, but across the entire education system.

The First Book Network

The First Book Network is made up of more than 475,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need.

Become a member

The First Book Marketplace

The First Book Marketplace offers high-quality, new books and educational resources deeply discounted prices -or free - to First Book’s network of more than 475,000 registered educators who serve kids in need.

Shop the marketplace

First Book Research & Insights

First Book Research & Insights is a highly-focused research capacity that aggregates and amplifies the voices of more than 475,000 educators serving children in need.

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The First Book Accelerator

The First Book Accelerator collaborates with leading academic institutions and other experts to quickly develop, package and distribute actionable, research-based best practices to educators serving kids in need.

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First Book Community Connect

First Book Community Connect matches nonprofit organizations with local classrooms and programs serving children in need, giving partners the opportunity to reach more kids, decrease the cost of scaling up, and increase impact.

See how it works

First Book Impact Funds

First Book Impact Funds offer the opportunity for hyper-targeted gifts, addressing need and allowing donors to focus their giving.

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Latest from First Book

Find out what makes First Book a leading voice in the movement for educational equality.

Impact Stories

New York Times: With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need

First Book Community Highlight, For Educators

Educators Continue to Reach Students in Need, Despite School Closures

For Educators

Boost Educational Skills at Home with these First Book Internet-Free Activities