Make Way for Books is proud to announce a generous $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities in support of its Neighborhood School Readiness Program, a transformative initiative helping young children in under-resourced communities across the greater Phoenix area develop essential early literacy skills. This funding comes at a critical time as Arizona faces a pressing literacy crisis—only 41% of third graders read at grade level, with that number dropping to just 27% among low-income students. Make Way for Books is addressing this challenge head-on by providing high-quality, research-backed literacy programs in community settings, strengthening connections between families, educators, public schools, and local organizations. By equipping children with vital pre-reading skills before they enter kindergarten, this program lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed,” said Yissel Salafsky, CEO of Make Way for Books. “Thanks to the generosity of Thunderbirds Charities, we can expand our reach and impact, ensuring more children in our community enter school ready to read and ready to learn.”
This grant is part of the Fall 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.