Thunderbirds Charities has awarded a generous grant to Make Way for Books to expand high-impact early literacy programming across Maricopa County, benefiting nearly 3,000 young children, families, and educators annually.
Across greater Phoenix, children in high-need communities face significant barriers to early literacy and long-term academic success. In 2024, only 39% of Arizona third graders passed the state exam, dropping to 27% among economically disadvantaged students. Access to high-quality early learning remains limited: only 32% of three- and four-year-olds are enrolled statewide, leaving many families without the tools needed to prepare their children for kindergarten and beyond.
“With the generous support from Thunderbirds Charities, our neighborhood school readiness model brings the full strength of our programs into one community,” said Julie Fischer, Regional Director at Make Way for Books. “By equipping parents, caregivers, and educators with the skills and confidence to support early learning, we are creating lasting impact and setting children up for long-term success.”
The grant will strengthen and expand Story School and Story Project programs, increasing access to high-quality books and literacy experiences. Story School offers weekly English- and Spanish-language sessions for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, along with a 22-book home library. Story Project equips early educators in childcare and preschool settings with coaching and resources. Last year, 98% of participating children demonstrated growth in emergent literacy and language skills. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing equitable early learning opportunities and ensuring every child enters school ready to thrive.
This grant is part of the Fall 2025 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.