First Book is a nonprofit organization established in 1992 with the goal of ensuring quality education access for all children. The organization works to remove education barriers and provide equitable opportunities for under-represented children. The First Book Network, consisting of over 575,000 educators and professionals, drives their initiatives by sharing insights and challenges. First Book's mission is stated as "First Book is dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed, by removing barriers to equitable education."^[1][2][3]

First Book has offices in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History

First Book President and CEO Kyle Zimmer founded First Book with Peter Gold and Elizabeth Arky in 1992 to be a market-driven solution to the lack of books in the schools and programs serving children from under-resourced neighborhoods. First Book has grown to serve more than 575,000 educators working in Title I or Title I-eligible programs.^[4]

Programs

First Book distributes books through its Marketplace, as well as through other programs and initiatives.^[5]

First Book Network: The First Book Network is a membership program made up of more than 575,000 educators and professionals who serve kids in under-resourced communities. People who work in Title I-eligible schools, early childhood programs, after school programs, shelters, clinics, churches, or any other organization where at least 70 percent of kids come from low-income families, are eligible to become a First Book member.^[6]

First Book Marketplace: The nonprofit offers an eCommerce platform which allows qualified members to purchase books and resources at discounted pricing.^[7]

First Book Research & Insights: The organization gathers data from educators to guide the development of programs, partnerships, and resources.^[8]

First Book Accelerator: First Book works with experts to turn research into teaching resources.^[9][10]

Reviews and Awards

Kyle Zimmer has been honored as a DC Alpha Alumna Initiate of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women (2019), the Texas AFT's Child Advocate Award (2019) and EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2017 Award-Mid-Atlantic Region. Other awards include the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefitting the Disadvantaged (2016), Peggy Charren/Free to Be You and Me Award from the Ms. Foundation for Women (2016), the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Pacesetter Honors (2016), the Library of Congress David M. Rubenstein Prize (2015), the National Book Foundation's Literarian Award (2014) and the National Education Association Foundation's Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education (2013), the Carle Honors Angel Award (2009) and the Authors Guild Award for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community (2005). From 2004 – 2008, Fast Company named Kyle one of 45 Social Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World. The organization has been reviewed favorably by Charity Navigator and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance as a trustworthy institution.

References