Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

Overview

The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy among children, particularly in high-needs communities. Since its establishment in 2004, the foundation has played a critical role in enhancing educational resources for elementary schools across Canada.

Mission

The mission of the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation is to combat illiteracy by ensuring every Canadian child has access to engaging books and educational resources. This is achieved through a focus on developing a lifelong love of reading among students, which in turn fosters academic success and personal growth. The organization targets at-risk communities, where the lack of resources often exacerbates educational disparities[1][5].

Impact

Since its inception, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has:

• Funded Over $36 Million: For purchasing books and educational materials for high-needs schools[1].
• Reached Over 1 Million Students: By providing resources to more than 3,600 schools[1].
• Promoted Literacy in Indigenous Communities: The foundation has contributed more than $1 million specifically towards literacy initiatives in Indigenous communities since 2017[2].

Programs

Literacy Fund Grant

The foundation offers grants to support literacy initiatives at Canadian high-needs elementary schools. These grants fund the purchase of books and educational resources, promoting a culture of reading and learning[3][5].

Adopt a School Program

Each September, Indigo stores across Canada partner with local high-needs schools to raise funds through in-store campaigns. This program helps bridge the gap in educational resources for vulnerable student populations[1][5].

Special Initiatives

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation committed additional funding of $1 million to assist high-needs communities[1].

Goals and Values

The organization believes that access to engaging books is essential for developing critical reading skills, which are foundational to academic achievement and social mobility. By supporting at-risk schools, the foundation aims to help disadvantaged children overcome educational barriers and reach their full potential[5].