First Book

Founded in 1992, First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise building a world where all children have access to a quality education. We are on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed by removing barriers to equitable education because education transforms lives.

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Mission

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Contact Us

  • Help Center
  • help@firstbook.org
  • (202) 393 - 1222
  • 1319 F Street NW, Suite 1000
  • Washington, DC 20004
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First BookDownload the Report
Children holding books and smiling

Fueling Educational Equity

First Book has opened the door to education and learning for millions of children who are growing up in low-income communities. Our 2022-2023 Impact Report shares our impact and our priorities for 2024 and beyond.

Get the Report
Kyle Zimmer, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of First Book

“We want every single child to have the benefit of a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code – and we want every educator to have the resources they need to make that happen.”

Kyle Zimmer
President, CEO, and Co-Founder

From Our CEO

Dear Friends:

2022-23 marked a dramatic call to action for the nation and the world: to respond to the catastrophic impact of the pandemic on our children, and the educators and other caring adults who support them.

The impact has been especially devastating for the children First Book serves – the millions of children ages 0-18 growing up in low-income communities.

Read Kyle's full letter.

Get the Report

By the Numbers

January 2022 – December 2023

Boy reading a book

Close Up: First Book's Stories for All Project™

The Stories for All Project™ is First Book's ongoing initiative to elevate books with stories and characters where children can see themselves and learn about others. The collection includes nearly 6,200 titles, each handpicked by First Book's professional curation team for its impact, authenticity, and ability to engage readers.

87-88%

of all purchases by First Book members included at least one Stories for All™ book.

54-56%

More than half of the total books members purchased from First Book were from the Stories for All™ category.

11,600,000

Children served

225,000,000

Books and resources distributed since First Book's founding

584,000+

First Book members as of Dec. 31, 2023

62,000+

New members joined the First Book Network

25,494,093

Books and resources distributed through the First Book Marketplace

66

Number of research studies conducted by First Book Research & Insights

32+

Number of First Book Accelerator resources launched (Video and print-on-demand)

Our Model of Change

Education feeds children's innate desire to learn. Through First Book's educator-driven model, we're furthering quality education for children of all ages who are growing up in low-income communities.

Learn more.

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First Book Model of Change: Network at center surrounded by Marketplace, Accelerator, Research and Insights with outer ring of Providing Affordable Resources, Advancing the Field, and Identifying and Meeting Needs
American Federation of Teachers
Ashoka
Audemars Piguet
Build-A-Bear Foundation
dd's Discounts
The Walt Disney Company
General Motors
KPMG
New York Life Foundation
LEGO

The Power of Partnership

Thanks to the support of our corporate and nonprofit partners, First Book has been able to create innovative new resources and increase access to high-quality, brand-new books that remove barriers to learning.

Get the Report
quote

“First Book has provided all of my students with so many literacy opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise had access to!”

Claire R., First Book member
First Book volunteers distributing books to children and families

Fueling Greater Impact Together

In 2024, First Book is expanding our groundbreaking work. We're reaching out to connect more educators and adults supporting children in low-income communities with First Book resources, exploring opportunities for collaboration, piloting the use of AI, amplifying the voice of educators and adults through timely research, and providing much needed support to low-income communities. We invite you to help!

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