What $25 Can Do: The Power of a Donor’s Dollar at First Book
> Blog > What $25 Can Do: The Power of a Donor’s Dollar at First Book 
At First Book, we often say that $25 can provide five brand-new books for children in need. It’s a statement that surprises many – especially when children’s books can cost as much as $18.99 each. So how is this possible?
Every Book is New and Chosen With Care
The First Book Marketplace does not distribute used or surplus books.
Every title on the Marketplace is brand-new, sourced from leading publishers. The challenge we face is not the lack of books; it’s the lack of access for millions of children growing up in low-income communities who do not have books at home or in their classrooms.
For families struggling to make ends meet, books are a luxury. In schools serving low-income communities, tight budgets often leave little room for the kinds of books and resources kids need and want most. This is where First Book and our supporters come in.
We Stretch Every Dollar
First Book works directly with publishers to unlock deep discounts.
We aggregate the purchasing power of more than 600,000 educators and distribute books through our Marketplace and free Book Bank. Our curation team selects high-quality titles, both classic and contemporary, so educators have the freedom to choose the books that best reflect their students’ needs and lived experiences.
This means children not only discover the joy of reading but also see themselves in the stories they hold.
Beyond Books: Research and Impact
We don’t stop at distribution.
First Book also invests in research and combined with our unique partnerships, a $25 gift can put 5 new, carefully chosen books into the hands of children who might otherwise go without. And when donors, foundations, and corporate partners join together, the impact multiplies—creating classrooms filled with possibility and opening doors for every child to succeed.
Educators often tell us things like, “As an English teacher with a self-funded library, I’m so grateful for how accessible and affordable your Young Adult books are. You guys rock!” That’s the kind of meaningful impact your gift makes possible.
Your Gift, Their Future
Your support isn’t just a donation—it’s an investment in a child’s future. When you give to First Book, you become part of a movement that believes every child deserves the chance to learn, dream, and succeed.
Want to see your dollars in action? Join us in rewriting the story for children in need, one book at a time.
About First Book
Education transforms lives. First Book is building a world where every child has access to a quality education. It works to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. At the heart of its work are the 600,000+ members of the First Book Network, the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children living in low-income communities across North America. This Network is the key to creating lasting change. Through its research arm, First Book Research & Insights, it conducts studies that aggregate the voices of the Network to identify challenges, needs, and solutions. To address their needs, it provides free and low-cost books, resources and access to leading experts through the First Book Marketplace, which uses aggregated buying power to support their work. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1992 as a nonprofit social enterprise, First Book is dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and inspiring young minds. Learn more at firstbook.org and visit the award-winning eCommerce website at fbmarketplace.org.