2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT Founded with a passion to improve the lives of disadvantaged children by providing inspiring book collections and engaging literacy programs to underfunded schools, libraries, and organizations across the nation, Kids Need to Read aspires to empower and embolden every last child through a culture of reading. For many of the children it serves, Kids Need to Read represents a crucial second chance at a strong education, and its programs help build and nurture support systems that these children may be lacking elsewhere in their lives. By immersing children in an integrated world of literary experiences that prosperous future, regardless of race, economic status, or personal capabilities. The following Annual Report and Financial Review relect a 15-month time period, due to a change in Kids Need to Read’s iscal year from a calendar year to April 1– March 31. However, for comparison purposes, the inancial charts and inancial igures quoted within the Annual Report relect the twelve-month 2011 calendar year. The Financial Review found at the end of the Annual Report includes the 2011 calendar year, plus a 3-month short year from January 1, 2012–March 31, 2012. 2011 Expenses (Total Expenses $250,369.23) Total Books Donated 6% 15,000 13% 12,000 9,000 81% 6,000 3,000 0 Administrave Expense 2010 2011 Fundraising Expense Program Expense Value of Books Donated Children Served $150,000 30,000 $120,000 25,000 20,000 $90,000 15,000 $60,000 10,000 $30,000 5,000 $0 0 2010 2011 2010 2011 2011 2012 KIDS NEED TO READ ANNUAL REPORT / PG 2 We work to create LETTER FROM a culture of reading THE CHAIR for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded Thousands of children were schools, libraries, and given the gift of reading in 2011 by Kids Need to Read awards. literacy programs Many schools, libraries, youth across the United service programs and juvenile States, especially treatment facilities are in those serving desperate need of new books, and Kids Need to Read is there disadvantaged with a helping hand, supplying children. materials from a list of award winning literature generated by experts in the ield of children’s and adolescent literacy. These book selections are thoughtfully made to pique young readers’ interest and imagination and start them on the path to a lifetime of reading. This year’s program saw the addition of Reading Revolution, a literacy program providing pedagogical strategies and activities paired with the best in children’s literature and professional assistance in implementation of this model for curriculum and instruction. Test results are proving that Reading Revolution makes a difference. As the Kids Need to Read Board of Directors Chairperson, I am thrilled to be a part of such exciting transactions, and my heart soars as I think of each young mind engaging with an inspiring story in a brand-new book. When a child and a book come together, a miracle happens and that child’s life suddenly becomes privy to a myriad of great possibilities. The greatest of thanks goes to Denise Gary, Kids Need to Read Founder and Executive Director, who does the lion’s share of the work and lives its mission every hour of her life. Major thanks, as well, to Margaret Bostrom, our most gracious benefactor. Thanks are also due Debbie Brown, Development Director, and Robert Gary, Creative Director; Kristen Klein, Secretary; Debbie O’Neill, Treasurer; and our Board of Directors, composed of F. Diane Elhard, KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson, Teri Lesesne, Marlinda White- Kaulaity, and Tyson Breinholt. In addition, our Kids Need to Read Co-founders and Advisory Council members PJ Haarsma and Nathan Fillion continue to work for the good of kids all over the world in support of literacy. We also appreciate our advisory council of authors, illustrators and experts, including Tom Leveen, Jackie Morris, James A. Owen, Janette Rallison, and Steven Riley. Best wishes and great books, MISSION James Blasingame A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~ Chinese proverb ~ 2011 2012 KIDS NEED TO READ ANNUAL REPORT / PG 3 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Greetings! The year 2011 was absolutely magical for KNTR! Because of the many supporters who contributed time, funds, or books to this organization in 2011, we were able to substantially increase our program donations, as well as develop new programs aimed at increasing literacy rates across the country. The fact that we devoted a great deal of attention in 2010 toward our structural organization, including building our book distribution system, paid off enormously in 2011, allowing us to focus deeply on developing or expanding programs for maximum impact. We will continue this work in 2012, because we believe the magic of providing books to children lies in how those books are put to use. Here are some of the highlights of our year, accomplished only through the generous support of our cause: * The total number of books we provided doubled from 7,422 in 2010 to 14,901 in 2011. The value of these books more than doubled, from $57,357 to $149,652. We tripled the number of organizations served to 46, but most importantly of all, we more than quadrupled the number of children served to an astonishing 29,239 from 6,456 in 2010. Approximately 75 percent of the children we served lived at or below the poverty level. * Kids Need to Read has partnered with Arizona State University and ASU Preparatory Academy to produce Reading Revolution, an innovative program for middle school students aimed at increasing literacy rates and decreasing dropout rates. Developing this 2-year pilot program has been we tripled the number of we served organizaons organizations extremely exciting and could potentially have a major impact on literacy rates in failing schools once expanded nationally. * Kids Need to Read won four grants for Reading Revolution during the ifteen-month 2011-2012 f iscal year (totaling $9,520) and we only began the grant process for this program in the last half of the year. We thank American Woodmark Foundation, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Avnet Contributions Council, and National Home Library Foundation for supporting this important project. 46 * Our Literacy Enrichment Program was implemented in 2011 to ensure the books KNTR provides are constructively used, rather than merely shelved. A list of literacy activities and a program performance survey accompany each of our book donations. This program is catching on to positive results, 2011 2012 KIDS NEED TO READ ANNUAL REPORT / PG 4 Thank you for especially for those organizations that make the most of the sending us those opportunity. awesome books. My * Kids Need to Read believes any favorite book was the organization working on behalf of GREEN EGGS AND children should do its part to HAM. I used to have promote peace, leadership, and “ violence prevention among our that book, but it got youth. Responding to this increasing need, we created Kids torn up. But since you Need to Read Peace Packages, sent GREEN EGGS which are provided to every organization we assist. AND HAM with the books, I can read * One of our most rewarding projects has been working with the volunteers of SARRC’s (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center) them over and over GoodDeedWorks team. They brightened our lives twice in 2011 with their and I sll won't get cheerful attitude and work ethic. Of course, they did not leave our ofice without books in their hands! Another fulilling experience was chatting red of them. about life leadership with teen moms earning their GEDs at Child and Family Resources’ dropout recovery program. Naturally, they all received We needed books books, too. too. We didn't have * Kids Need to Read supports Free Comic Book Day every year, believing money (for) books in comics to be a powerful portal to literacy, as well as a classic art form that should be preserved for future generations. In 2011, we participated in our class. You made the nationwide celebration at Hero Comics, handing out literacy resources our day. Thank you to the many kids who visited the store. Hero Comics later conducted a super exciting Kids Need to Read Day at their store. We were blown away very much for by the enthusiastic support of many of the valley’s most incredible artists bringing those “ and costuming groups. wonderful books! * After inhabiting our irst ofice space for only a year, we had to ind a larger place. We were busting out of our tiny room and small basement storage area. After searching, we struck a deal for a free standing Carlos, Student, converted house, which quadrupled our space at nearly the same rent. Cedar Creek Day Now, we can put our books on shelves and ind the titles we need. It is a very comfortable “home” and we are so happy to be able to work there. Treatment Center, We thank Commercial Properties, Inc for helping to make this location an Montrose, Colorado affordable option for our organization. * Kids Need to Read was extremely pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Marlinda White-Kaulaity and Mr. Tyson Breinholt to the Board of 2011 2012 KIDS NEED TO READ ANNUAL REPORT / PG 5 Directors. Dr. White-Kaulaity is a member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation and an expert in Native American literature. Mr. Breinholt is a Phoenix-area business leader who holds a life-long record of community service. Authors Tom Leveen, Jackie Morris, James A. Owen, Janette Rallison, and Steven Riley graciously accepted appointments to the Kids Need to Read Advisory Council. These new members have consistently demonstrated a commitment to Kids Need to Read, as well as the cause of childhood and adolescent literacy.