What if one gift could help ensure book access for children—not just this year, but for generations?
10 Years is Just the Beginning
As the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank celebrates our 10th birthday, we are looking beyond today’s needs to secure a strong and sustainable future for children across Greater Cleveland. To support that vision, we are launching the Legacy of Literacy Fund—a long-term investment designed to ensure that children always have access to books.
The Legacy of Literacy Fund is a board-designated investment fund. The principal is invested and preserved, while a small percentage of annual earnings supports the growth and sustainability of the Kids’ Book Bank’s mission. The Kids’ Book Bank Board of Directors has formally committed to stewarding this fund as permanent capital to benefit both this and future generations.
A $1 Million Vision for the Future
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Bill and Martha Boyer, we are launching the Legacy of Literacy Fund with a remarkable challenge gift. The Boyers have pledged a $330,000 match to inspire others to join them in building this lasting legacy.
For every $20 contributed, the Boyers will add $10 up to $330,000, helping us reach our five-year goal of $1,000,000 for the Legacy of Literacy Fund.
Their leadership gift ensures that every contribution toward this fund will have an even greater and more lasting impact.
Why This Matters Now
Each year, the Kids’ Book Bank distributes more than half a million free, high-quality children’s books to children and families throughout Greater Cleveland through partnerships with hundreds of community partner organizations. This work helps children build home libraries, develop literacy skills, and discover the joy of reading.
To truly change the narrative of literacy in our region, however, we must ensure that this work is sustainable, resilient, and here for the long term—regardless of economic conditions or funding cycles.
The Legacy of Literacy Fund will
- Provide predictability of a portion of annual support for book distribution and operations
- Strengthen our ability to serve children equitably across Greater Cleveland and expand our regional reach
- Ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up with books in their home
Your Gift, Multiplied
A contribution to the Legacy of Literacy Fund is more than a gift—it is a commitment to children and the power of stories to shape lives.
With the Boyers’ challenge:
- A $25,000 gift becomes $37,500
- A $50,000 gift becomes $75,000
- A $100,000 gift becomes $150,000
Together, we can build a permanent source of support that will help place books into children’s hands year after year, generation after generation.
Join Us in Creating a Legacy of Literacy
As we celebrate 10 years of impact, we invite you to help shape the next 10 years—and beyond.
Your leadership gift to the Legacy of Literacy Fund will ensure that children across Greater Cleveland always have books to call their own and stories to inspire their futures.
Legacy Founders Circle — those who get us to $1M
- Visionary Founders — $250,000+
- Literacy Founders — $100,000+
- Community Founders — $50,000+
- Legacy Founders — $25,000+
- Founding Partners — $10,000+
Legacy of Literacy Founders Circle donors are recognized permanently as the creators of the Legacy of Literacy Fund.
Donors after we reach $1M are recognized as Legacy donors on an annual basis.
Leave a Legacy: Planned Giving
Some gifts make an impact today. Planned gifts create change for generations.
By including the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank in your will, trust, or retirement plan, you ensure that children across Greater Cleveland always have books to call their own and stories to inspire their futures.
Our experts at Carnegie Investments would love to help you.
Sample bequest language to include in your will:
“I give to Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, a nonprofit organization located in Cleveland, OH, (EIN:47-5553602), the sum of $_____ (or ___% of my estate or specific assets) for its general charitable purposes.”
If you include the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank in your estate plans, please let us know. We’d love the opportunity to thank you and recognize your generosity.
Learn More
To learn more about making a leadership gift, a multi-year pledge, or including the Kids’ Book Bank in your planned giving, please contact:
Natalie Friedl
Executive Director
Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
natalie@kidsbookbank.org