Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.

Summary: Please help me raise $50,000 toward the remainder of an endowment ($183K left of $500K) to ensure BookStart continues providing books to many of Northeast Indiana's lowest-income families. Being read to as a child is essential to educational success. Numerous studies draw a correlation between reading to children and breaking the cycle of generational poverty. THE FIRST $50,000 donated will be matched by the Glaze Foundation.

More about BookStart and why I'm asking you to donate:

I grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and during a recent visit, I met Ginny Clark, a good friend of my mother and co-founder of BookStart, an organization that purchases engaging children's board books for Northern Indiana families living in poverty. The books are paid for through charitable donations to The BookStart Fund and distributed to families through nine local agencies during their parent training visits.

Families love receiving the books. Here are a few quotes that reflect the importance of BookStart's work:

"The only books my baby has are the ones you bring me." "The children delight in each book, hug them to their chests, want to carry them around. The books have encouraged closeness between mom and child by giving mom an activity she can easily engage in with her child." "I have seen a decrease in the amount of tv moms are using to entertain their babies as they are doing more reading."

Since 2014, BookStart has given over 68,000 children's books to Northeastern Indiana’s low-income families. It does so efficiently. Every dollar raised is spent on books. Ginny never paid herself a cent, and SCAN will assume the administrative costs of managing BookStart's operations. BookStart's partner agencies distribute the books to families at no additional cost. Lastly, BookStart purchases directly from publishers at steep discounts: the average book price is under $1.75.

Ginny, who is approaching her 85th birthday, is fundraising for a $500,000 endowment to ensure BookStart continues its vital work for decades to come. SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) a Ft. Wayne organization rated "Gold" by Guidestar, will manage BookStart's day-to-day operations, including purchasing and distributing books to BookStart's nine partner agencies, including three SCAN programs (Healthy Families, Community Partners, and Fatherhood). The Community Foundation of Fort Wayne will manage the endowment, accept BookStart donations, and disperse BookStart funds to SCAN.

Why am I getting involved? Because being read to by my parents fostered my love of reading and learning and is at the top of my favorite memories. I want to help Ginny continue this important gift to low-income families in my hometown.

The money you donate to this GoFundMe will be donated to the Bookstart Fund at the Community Foundation of Fort Wayne, added to BookStart's endowment, and used to buy delightful and engaging board books. Thank you for donating.

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BookStart's Partner Organizations:

Associated Churches: Journey Beside Mothers

SCAN: Healthy Families, Community Partners, Fatherhood

BrightPoint: Early Head Start

Children First Center

Healthier Moms & Babies

Rescue Mission: Charis House

Just Neighbors Homeless Network

Vincent Village

YWCA Northeast Indiana