About Us

About Us

We Believe that World Change Starts with Educated Children.®

We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education that prepares them to lead fulfilled lives and make positive change — in their families, communities and the world.

Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We are achieving this goal by helping children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and by supporting girls as they build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. We collaborate with governments and other partner organizations to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale.

> Download our Strategic Plan

Vision 2025

"Room to Read has outstripped its spiritual mentor…by combining the determination of a Carnegie with the can-do attitudes of corporate giants."

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Private Sector Brain, Nonprofit Heart

We’re people from around the world, from diverse industries, who are passionate about education. Taking best practices from our diverse disciplines, Room to Read employs more than 1,600 staff across 21 countries. Of those staff, 88% are employed in our program countries. We hire local nationals to lead our community-based operations in countries where we operate and have visibility from program design through to the communities where our programs are contextualized and implemented.

Leadership & Board

Efficient Financially, Effective Globally

We maximize our resources and hold ourselves accountable to our partner communities, investors, and internal stakeholders. We set ambitious, measurable goals and track them. Ever a learning organization, we take calculated risks and use creativity to accomplish goals. And we build upon our partnerships to grow sustainably and create systemic change around the world. 

Impact and Reach

Best In Class

Our programs and fiscal efficiency have earned consistently positive recognition from the media, as well as from leaders in the nonprofit and corporate sectors. We are proud to have a reputation that is strong and authentic as an innovative leader in global education. Our work and impact is validated by respected journalists, academics, policy makers and our peers.

Financials

Our History

Documenting Our Milestones in Photos

Take 3!

Take 3 minutes to learn more from our founders.

Annual Report

View our most recent annual report to see our impact.

The Latest from Room to Read

Creating a world of lifelong learners: updates from across the globe

Creating a world of lifelong learners: Room to Read updates from across the globe


Literacy

Read More

Room to Read presents She Creates Change

Room to Read presents She Creates Change


Girls' Education, India

Read More

Dr. Geetha Murali on The HPScast

Dr. Geetha Murali on The HPScast


In the News

Read More

Fact or Fiction? Children Want Their Non-Fiction Books, Adults May Be Their Barriers

Fact or Fiction? Children Want Their Non-Fiction Books, Adults May Be Their Barriers


Heather Simpson, Chief Program Officer

Literacy, Tanzania

Read More

Creators for Change on Girls' Education

Creators for Change on Girls' Education


Girls' Education, Vietnam

Read More

Five Ways to Make Decodable Stories Fun

Five Ways to Make Decodable Stories Fun


By Kerri Thomsen

Literacy

Read More

Room to Read Announces New Board of Directors Chair

Room to Read Announces New Board of Directors Chair


Press Releases

Read More

With Oral Language Intervention, Comes New Love for Reading

With Oral Language Intervention, Comes New Love for Reading


Literacy, Laos

Read More

 

You might also be interested in

Take Action

Get Creative

Get Involved

Careers

Get Creative

Join our team

Partnerships

Get Creative

Partner With Us

Group of Girls' Education Students standing in Tanzania standing in front of the classroom and smiling