About Us

Our Mission

Children’s Book Project was founded in order to give books to children who need them for equity in literacy, learning, and life. Since 1992, we have given away more than 3.1 million books to children from under-resourced communities throughout San Francisco and 31 additional counties in California.

Book Project Team

Alessandra Argüello-Recinos, Social Media & Publisher Outreach Manager
Dawn Noelle Smith Beutler, Read Aloud Program Coordinator
Alexander Braunstein, Second Reading Program Manager & Driver
Maureen McCarthy, Teen Ambassador Program Manager
Kathleen Wydler, Book Bank Manager

Board of Directors

Risa Schwartz, President
Annelise Goldberg, Treasurer
Catherine Weiser, Secretary
Vikram Chan-Herur
Monique El-Amin
Dannhae Herrera Wilson
Owen Linderholm
Robert Lord
Maureen McCarthy
Cambria Minott
Cassandra Perkins

Vicki Pollack, Founder & Director Emerita

Our Story

Children’s Book Project is a women-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives free books to children who need them for equity in literacy, learning, and life. Research shows that children who grow up with books have better literacy, numeracy, and technological outcomes than their peers who don’t. Studies also show that reading aloud to children actually helps their brain development. However, many children in the greater San Francisco Bay Area have few or no books of their own, and attend schools and programs where high quality books are in short supply. Encouraging reading is not enough when families do not have equal access to books.

We collect donations of new and like-new books for children of all ages, from infants to teens. At our Book Bank, we sort and display books according to subject matter and reading level. Teachers, caseworkers, and other staff of organizations who work with children from under-served communities visit our Book Bank and select the books they need for the children they serve, many of whom have never owned a book.

Want to support our mission? Learn how to Give Books, Get Books, and other ways to Support Us.

Financial Information

Form 990 2022