The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to support Book Harvest, a Durham, North Carolina-based nonprofit that is transforming children’s literacy by ensuring that every child grows up with an abundant home library from birth. Since 2011, Book Harvest has provided more than 2.9 million books to children and families, grounded in the belief that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books. With programs based on evidence, Book Harvest works to create a world of literacy and justice for all — one in which book ownership and home libraries are a new standard of care for every child.

Book Harvest’s innovative suite of programs forms a reliable and abundant continuum of books for children and support for parents over the first decade of life. The organization’s Book Babies program partners with parents to provide books and literacy coaching over the critical first five years when 80% of brain development occurs. Their Books on Break program combats summer learning loss by sending pre-K and elementary students home with 10 self-selected books at the end of the school year, equipping them with the tools to practice their reading all summer long.

Book Harvest’s initiatives also meet families where they are, providing books through multiple touchpoints in the community. Additionally, Book Harvest fosters a community-wide culture of literacy by maintaining Book Hubs in laundromats, parks, barbershops, and other places families frequent, ensuring that books and the opportunity to build abundant home libraries are always within reach. Through signature events and advocacy work, Book Harvest mobilizes community support and champions policies that advance early literacy, improving systems for all families.

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is honored to support Book Harvest’s mission to fuel imagination, spark joy, and transform lives — book by book — ensuring that every child has the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.