At Team Butter, we believe fundraising can do more than help groups reach their goals—it can also create meaningful impact for organizations doing important work in the community every day. Through Hearts & Hours, schools, teams, and families can support nonprofit partners while also supporting their group.
This month, we’re spotlighting Raising A Reader, a nonprofit focused on helping children and families build strong early literacy habits through access to high-quality, diverse books and shared reading experiences. We asked their team to share more about the impact of their work, why community support matters, and what this partnership means to them.
Meet Raising A Reader
Mission: To help children and families build early literacy skills and a love of reading through shared access to books and reading routines.
Who they serve: Children, families, educators, communities
Q&A with Raising a Reader
What impact does every Hearts & Hours donation make for the people or communities you serve?
Every donation helps put high-quality, diverse books into the hands of children and families while strengthening the reading routines that are so important for school readiness and early learning success. Through Raising a Reader programs, children gain access to award-winning books, families receive resources and support to read together, and communities build stronger foundations for early literacy and lifelong learning. Every contribution helps ensure that more children have the opportunity to develop a love of reading and the skills they need to thrive in school and in life.
Can you share a story or example of how your organization has made a difference?
One of the most meaningful stories Raising a Reader hears is how reading together can transform family relationships. In a recent program evaluation, a parent shared that before participating, reading was not a regular part of their family’s routine. Through the program, their child became excited about books, began asking to read together each night, and the family built a consistent reading habit. The parent described reading time as one of the most meaningful parts of their day—creating stronger bonds while helping their child build confidence and early literacy skills. Stories like this are happening in communities across the country and show the power of simple, shared reading experiences.
What excites you most about students and families supporting your mission through Hearts & Hours?
Raising a Reader loves seeing young people recognize that they have the power to make a difference in the lives of other children and families in their communities. Students who support this mission are helping create opportunities for young children to discover the joy of books and learning. At the same time, they are learning the value of giving back. It’s inspiring to see the next generation investing in brighter futures for others.
How do service hours and charitable giving work together to create a greater impact?
Financial contributions help provide books, materials, and program resources, while volunteer service helps build awareness, strengthen communities, and inspire others to get involved. When people contribute both their time and resources, they become advocates for the power of books, home libraries, and early literacy. Together, those efforts create deeper and more lasting impact.
What would you say to someone considering supporting Raising a Reader?
When you support Raising a Reader, you’re investing in more than books—you’re investing in families, relationships, and children’s futures. Research shows that reading together at home helps build language, literacy, and social-emotional skills while strengthening family connections. Your support helps children develop a love of reading, supports caregivers as their child’s first teacher, and creates opportunities that can have lifelong impact. Together, we can help more children enter school ready to learn and succeed.
Why this partnership matters
Raising a Reader is a powerful example of what Hearts & Hours is all about: connecting people to causes that create meaningful change. By supporting organizations like this, students and families are doing more than participating in fundraising—they’re helping expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and invest in the future.
At Team Butter, we’re proud to support programs that make giving back feel accessible, engaging, and community-driven through Hearts & Hours.
Want to support impact like this through Hearts & Hours?
Learn more about how Team Butter through Hearts and Hours helps groups combine fundraising, service, and community support at TeamButter.com.