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First Book Brooklyn

First Book provides new books to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, each year First Book distributes millions of free and low-cost books to disadvantaged children and the programs that serve them.

First Book-Brooklyn, distributing books in Brooklyn since 2011, is working to end the illiteracy crisis in the NYC area by increasing children’s access to books. First Book’s network of local volunteer groups in over 270 communities nationwide harnesses the power of a massive grassroots network.

We raise funds locally and select programs in Brooklyn as First Book grantees. Grantees use the funds provided by First Book–Brooklyn to select books from the First Book Marketplace at significant discounts. New books chosen by program leaders working with children are incorporated into the program lessons, and are then given to children to take home and keep. First Book-Brooklyn distributes books to daycare centers, preschools, after-school programs, teachers’ classrooms, and tutoring programs to provide children in need with free books and educational materials. First Book-Brooklyn is a volunteer organization – meaning there are no salaries and no overhead for the group, so every dollar contributed in a restricted gift goes directly to the purchase of books.

Make an online donation – all it takes is $2.50 to buy a book. For $25, you can build a school library.

How to Receive Books

There are three ways in which First Book distributes books: through a network of volunteer Advisory Boards located across the country, through the First Book National Book Bank, and through the First Book Marketplace.

First Book-Brooklyn provides new books to children through eligible community organizations such as preschools and day care, after-school, and tutoring/mentoring programs. We accept book grant applications from local literacy programs that serve 70% or more children from low-income households. The children take home and keep the books that they receive.

First Book provides new books to children through eligible community organizations in the United States that serve children from low-income households. First Book does not provide direct financial support, nor does it provide books to individuals or to book drives.   

If you would like to learn more, please see Register with First Book.

For information on how to apply for a grant from our board, download the Grant Guidelines and Application (doc).

Book Grant Recipients

First Book-Brooklyn is currently giving book grants to programs in King’s County.

First Book Wants You! 

We are looking for passionate, entrepreneurial people who want to make a difference in their community. Help us get books to kids who need them most. 

Contact Us

You can contact us by sending an email.