Dear Friends,
Family Reading Partnership is struggling. We are at risk of closure in the next year if our fundraising income does not make a significant boost. Individual donations have dropped drastically over the last 10 years, as donors have shifted their attention to more immediate community needs. Literacy rates continue to decline, with far-reaching, long-term societal impacts. Our local foundations are not able to support nonprofits at the levels we have all come to depend on, and business sponsors are having to reduce their gifts to stay afloat. All while our operating expenses, which most grantors will not cover, continue to rise. This is, quite honestly, a dire and critical year.
FRP’s budget hovers around $300,000 per year (down from almost double that a decade ago). A shoestring, considering the breadth of programming the organization provides. For a little perspective: if the 22,000+ physical books that we give away each year were purchased at full sticker price, they would cost as much as our entire annual budget all on their own.
- For that same $300,000 per year, Family Reading Partnership:
- provides a free, accessible family play space for 28 hours every week.
- collects and processes over 14,000 children’s books, and supports dozens of volunteers to place them on 50 community bookshelves.
- posts 28 books throughout the year on 7 unique Story Walks.
- provides over 6,000 books to families at their pediatric appointments.
shows up at events across the County to give away brand new books to children whose families may not have any other way to access them.
The list goes on, but you get the idea. We are committed to responsible and transparent use of the generous dollars you provide to support children’s literacy development. We scrimp and save and purchase materials at big discounts. Our reserves are dangerously low, our wiggle room is gone. If these life-changing literacy projects are to continue in Tompkins County, we need your participation.
We are applying for every grant we qualify for, requesting County funding, talking with corporate sponsors, individual donors, and legislators, and harshly critiquing our program expenses and impacts.
Here’s what you can do:
- Send a check today.
- Consider a monthly recurring gift. Even $10/month helps us to have a more predictable income.
- Think of FRP for end of year donations to reduce your tax burden. We can accept stock transfers!
- Consider including FRP in your estate planning.
- Mention us as a place to make a donation in your or a loved one’s honor: for your birthday, in an obituary, or to celebrate your retirement. We have graphics and language especially designed for this purpose that we are happy to share with you!
- Think about your employer. Would they match your annual donation or sponsor an FRP program?
- Become a Bright Red Bookshelf, Story Walk, or Nook sponsor. Advertise your business or honor someone special! Starting at $250/year.
- Share our events and fundraisers on Facebook and Instagram.
- Talk with friends and family about FRP and what you appreciate about the work we do.
- Join our Board of Directors. No prior experience necessary, but a background in leadership is a bonus!
If Family Reading Partnership is to survive this financial downturn, it will only be because of your generosity and dedication to the mission: to connect families with young children to the joy of books and read-aloud adventures to expand their horizons! Please consider what you can to do help.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas I am happy to talk with you personally. Please call 607-277-8602 or email amber@familyreading.org
With my gratitude,
Amber Smith
Executive Director
Family Reading Partnership
