Celebrating 13 Years of Partnership: Guru Krupa Foundation and First Book Continue Expanding Access to Educational Resources

First Book is honored to build on our long-standing partnership with the Guru Krupa Foundation, whose generous support helps expand access to books and educational resources for children in under-resourced communities across the greater New York City and Nassau County areas. 

Since our partnership began in 2012, First Book and the Guru Krupa Foundation have proudly distributed more than 215,000 books and educational resources to children and educators in communities facing high need. This collaboration has helped create brighter educational opportunities for countless students while supporting the educators who serve them every day.

During May 2026 more than 3,000 brand-new books were placed directly into the hands of children in the New York City and Nassau County areas. Leveraging First Book Marketplace credits funded by the Guru Krupa Foundation, educators selected books tailored to the needs and interests of the children they serve, giving kids access to diverse, engaging, and age-appropriate materials that foster literacy, spark imagination, and encourage a lifelong love of reading. 

Non-book resources also play an essential role in creating supportive, engaging learning environments for children and are consistently among the most requested items by educators in the First Book Network. Thanks to the Guru Krupa Foundation’s additional funding, approximately 4,000 items including hygiene kits, backpacks, notebooks, pencils, games, and specialized learning tools were provided to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. 

The Guru Krupa Foundation’s support also strengthens First Book’s annual year-end giving campaign, which provides children in need with brand-new books during the holiday season — often the very first book a child has ever owned. 

The generous matching gift challenge raised awareness and engaged new supporters, but most importantly provided kids in need with moments of joy and pride that extend far beyond the classroom. 

We are deeply grateful for the Guru Krupa Foundation’s continued partnership and shared commitment to supporting educators, strengthening communities, and helping children discover the power of reading and learning.

Educators can join First Book’s Network — the largest online community of individual educators, professionals and volunteers dedicated to supporting children in need across North America — to bring new books, educational resources, and supplies to their classroom or program.