children's literacy project | Impact

Transforming Literacy, One Community at a Time

At the Children’s Literacy Project (CLP), we believe solving America’s literacy crisis starts at the community level. By equipping local leaders, volunteers, and organizations with the tools they need, we are activating a nationwide movement to ensure every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.

Black and white image of 5 children around 7 years old running. They and white, black, and mixed.
Fueling Literacy Impact

Activating and Supporting New Literacy Initiatives

Collective Impact

Inner-City Programs

Example
Lit Camp
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

University Service Initiatives

Example
Bushnell University
Volunteer Multiplication

Regional Initiatives

Example
Read NW
Activating Loving Neighbors

Church Partnerships

Example
South Lake Church
Building Networks

Metropolitan Impact

Example
School Connect WA
Engaging Poverty

Small Town Programs

Example
BeUndivided Lebanon

Our work centers around
two Key Groups

Literacy Organizations
& Partners

Providing the support, resources, and visibility they need to expand their reach and effectiveness.

Register your literacy organization
Register your literacy organization
Map of the United States with drop-pins in all of the places where somebody is stepping forward to become a reading mentor or an organization has joined CLP's Literacy Database
A black man sitting with a child, helping him read. Classroom setting.

Individuals & Volunteers

Offering simple, meaningful ways for anyone to contribute to the literacy movement in their own community.

Become a reading mentor
Become a reading mentor
friends and partners

Literacy Success Stories

United Way of Central Ohio

Central Ohio

Using a proven collective impact model, United Way of Central Ohio serves as the backbone organization for Success by Third Grade, bringing together individuals, nonprofits, corporations, school districts and governments to tackle non-academic barriers that impact reading proficiency.

Catch Up & Read

North Texas

Catch Up & Read’s mission is to equip children from underserved communities to read on grade level by the end of third grade so they can graduate from high school and break the generational cycle of poverty.

Storyshares

Across the Globe

A literacy solution to empower and engage striving readers beyond the 3rd grade.We meet underserved readers wherever they are, providing culturally inclusive decodable texts written for older readers. Storyshares Decodable Chapter books are filled with diverse, relatable, and compelling characters, brought to life with accessible language and formatting.‍

Haverhill Promise

Haverhill, MA

Haverhill Promise is a cross-sector collaboration between schools, nonprofits, teachers, parents, health entities, early education providers, the library, community leaders, and businesses that are interested in playing a role in ensuring that all Haverhill students have the tools necessary to achieve grade-level reading by the end of third grade.

Cobb Collaborative

Smyrna, GA

Cobb Collaborative educates, engages, and empowers local people and organizations to improve outcomes for children and families in Cobb County.

Lead to Read KC

Kansas City

Lead to Read KC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing children's literacy in Kansas City by mobilizing community volunteers and implementing targeted programs. Their initiatives aim to support the social, emotional, and reading skills essential for student success.‍

Large group shot
People sitting at a long table
Two little girls reading a book together
Image of Jeff Martin and others on stage with large screen behind them. Doing a panel after screening SENTENCED Film
Group of CLP people posing in a pic with Stephen Curry
A black man sitting with a child, helping him read. Classroom setting.
A man sitting a table with a child teaching him to read.

Activating Individuals to Take Action

Solving the literacy crisis requires all of us. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or concerned community member, there are meaningful ways you can help—right where you are.

  • Integrated Media and Social Strategy
  • Best-in-class Inspirational and Educational films
  • Activating Citywide Recruitment Campaigns
Take the first step today
Join the Movement
The literacy crisis in America is urgent—but it is also solvable. CLP is activating communities, organizations, and individuals to be part of the solution
Join the Children's Literacy Project Network
Join our Database
Join our Database
Volunteer in your community
Reading Mentor
Reading Mentor
Host a screening of Sentenced
Fundraising
Fundraising

Join Us in Activating Change

Your generosity powers our mission to expand our volunteer network and create content that moves communities to action. When you join the Children's Literacy Project, you're investing in resources that connect passionate volunteers with children who need them most.