Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy’s have recently raised over $1.3 million to address the literacy gap in the United States. The funds were collected through a month-long in-store round-up and online donation campaign, with the aim of providing books and reading resources to children living in under-resourced communities.
The funds will support RIF’s Race, Equity and Inclusion work, focusing on providing diverse books and reading resources to underserved communities. This initiative aims to help close the literacy gap and promote equitable access to education. The funds will also support RIF’s annual six-month reading engagement initiative, Rally to Read 100.
For the past 20 years, Macy’s has partnered with RIF through its social purpose platform, Mission Every One, to promote childhood literacy. This partnership has resulted in a total contribution of over $45 million, the distribution of more than 15 million books, and the creation of over 20,000 supplemental literacy resources and tools on RIF’s book resource website.
To highlight this milestone anniversary, Macy’s Herald Square flagship store in New York City featured a reading-focused display in its iconic 34 St. windows throughout July and August. RIF staff also visited Macy’s stores across the country to express their gratitude and discuss their shared vision to end the literacy gap.
Dr. Ingrid Bynum, a former RIF Kid and now a principal at a K-8 school in Virginia, spoke about the direct impact of the RIF and Macy’s partnership on her students and community. In an interview with Slate, she mentioned how the funds raised by RIF support their mission and make a real difference year after year.
Alicia Levi, president and CEO of RIF, expressed her gratitude for Macy’s support in tackling the nation’s literacy crisis. She emphasized the importance of literacy as the foundation of learning and emphasized the commitment to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, discover, and achieve their full potential.
Sam Di Scipio, Senior Director of Social Impact at Macy’s, highlighted the partnership’s goal to empower youth and create a brighter future with bold representation. Through their partnership with RIF, Macy’s aims to provide critical resources and books to youth in underserved communities, ensuring that every child has access to reading materials that reflect their own experiences.
In celebration of the 20-year partnership, Macy’s colleagues volunteered at Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School in Brooklyn, New York, creating literacy kits filled with books, bookmarks, and reading activities. These kits will be distributed to over 700 kindergarten through 8th-grade students.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is dedicated to inspiring the joy of reading among all children and providing free, high-quality content to address the literacy crisis in the United States. Since 1966, RIF has distributed nearly 430 million books and reading resources to over 160 million children, impacting generations of children.
Macy’s, as the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc., focuses on providing a seamless shopping experience and delivering great value in apparel, home goods, beauty products, and more. Through their social purpose platform, Mission Every One, Macy’s aims to create a brighter future with bold representation, empowering their colleagues, customers, and communities.
The partnership between Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy’s has made significant strides in promoting childhood literacy, and their recent fundraising efforts will continue to support their mission of closing the literacy gap. By providing access to diverse books and reading resources, RIF and Macy’s strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop their reading skills and achieve success.
