Find the tools to support every child you serve. Start Here
NAVIGATION
New to First Book?
Join us to connect with thousands of fellow educators and access exciting educational events and resources for you and your students.
Find the tools to support every child you serve. Start Here
New to First Book?
Join us to connect with thousands of fellow educators and access exciting educational events and resources for you and your students.
Imagine a world where every child experiences the benefits of a quality education. We’re on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed and reach their full potential.
Your generosity is at the heart of our mission, propelling us to transform the lives of children in need by elevating the quality of their education. Together, we’re making a tangible impact, reaching millions of children and educators each year.
Your donation of $45 welcomes one new teacher and 30 students into the First Book national network, providing access to books and other critical literacy resources that support a high-quality education for children in low-income communities across the US. Gifts made before December 31, 2026, will be matched up to a total of $520,000 thanks to a generous group of First Book donors.
We are incredibly grateful for The New York Times Communities Fund’s partnership over the years. In 2020, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the support from The New York Times Communities Fund empowered First Book to distribute nearly 400,000 books nationwide. This initiative addressed the distinct challenges faced by educators and students during uncertain times. In 2021, leveraging the funding, First Book took a proactive stance on mental health in education, launching “Taking Care: Healthy Habits for Student Emotional Wellness,” a comprehensive program that made a positive impact on students’ well-being. Throughout 2022, the Fund allowed First Book to distribute over 75,000 books, conduct critical research studies, and connect over 1,100 educators to First Book, ensuring sustainable access to free and low-cost, high-quality books and educational resources for their students for years to come. In 2023, more than 1,380 educators and 17 program providers serving kids in need located in book deserts across the country received books and resources from First Book, thanks to the generous funding from the New York Times Communities Fund. In 2024, the Communities Fund helped fuel our efforts towards our goal of reaching all 27 million children in need across the U.S. Their generous contribution allowed us to provide dynamic community-driven programming, impacting more than 634,000 students in under-resourced communities across the country. In 2025, support from The New York Times Communities Fund helped First Book reach more than 600,000 children with brand-new, high-interest books that help children see themselves and learn about others. The Fund also enabled First Book to welcome more than 4,000 educators, program leaders, and volunteers as new First Book members, providing them with ongoing access to affordable books and educational resources for the children and communities they serve for years to come.
The New York Times Communities Fund continues the 115-year legacy of The Neediest Cases Fund by assisting local, national and global nonprofits as they work to provide direct support to people who are facing hardship. The Times has supported and nurtured the fund for more than 100 years. Over that time, it has raised more than $365 million for nonprofit organizations that have helped countless people improve their circumstances and lead more enriching lives.
Year over year, First Book’s aim is to further expand access to high-quality, affordable books and critical resources for Title I educators across the country and the families they serve. The New York Times Communities Fund’s support is vital in bolstering classroom and home libraries with books inspiring and empowering our nation’s students, especially during the holiday season when many children will be receiving and cherishing their first book or only gift of the holidays.Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book
Your support directly provides access to high-quality, affordable books and critical resources for Title I educators and the kids they serve across the US. Together, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to thrive.
