6 Ways Your Business Can Give the Gift of Literacy

By Sarah Richards

• Nov 29, 2024

November is Family Literacy Month. Research has shown that families play a significant role in developing a child’s literacy, especially in the early years of learning development. However, many Georgia families continue to face significant challenges when it comes to literacy. 

Georgia’s Literacy Crisis 

 Georgia ranks in the ten lowest states for literacy rates, with an estimated 23.6% of the adult population lacking basic reading proficiency. Only 32% of Georgia 4th graders rank as proficient or above in literacy skills, falling just short of the national average of 33%.  

 
Literacy is a crucial skill not only at the individual level, but at the community level as well. Research from All In, the Adult Literacy & Learning Impact Network, estimates that businesses lose $46 billion in revenue every year due to low literacy in the workforce.

 
Here are six ways your organization can give the gift of literacy, helping improve the lives of Georgia’s students and its future. 

 
Support Your Local Library

 
Not sure where to start? You can always support your local library. Georgia Public Library Services boasts 61 public library systems with a total of 407 branch locations across the state. Libraries are more than just places to check out a book. They are critical resource hubs that provide communities with access to a variety of services, including tutoring, test prep, continuing education courses, and community meeting spaces. When you support your library, you’re not just supporting literacy; you’re supporting your community. 

Support Your Child’s School

 
Establish meaningful relationships with your child's teachers to support literacy and reading at their school. Start by connecting with educators and school administrators to understand the current reading programs and identify areas where you might be able to help. This could involve volunteering in classroom reading sessions, helping to support the school media center, or supporting literacy-focused events like book fairs or reading challenges. Many schools welcome parent volunteers to read aloud to groups of students, provide one-on-one tutoring for students who need additional support, or help develop reading resources. 

 
Consider giving your employees time off to volunteer to read to children at their local library or their children’s schools. Encourage workers to volunteer as reading tutors. Reach out to the local Boys & Girls Club or YMCA to start a mentoring program. Host a corporate giving day at your local school or another literacy organization. Money and resources go a long way towards helping a cause, but so does the gift of time. 

 
You don’t have to look outside the office to give the gift of literacy—there are also plenty of internal opportunities. After all, your employees aren’t just workers; they’re likely also parents, guardians, aunts or uncles. Plenty of literacy resources already exist, but families aren’t always aware they’re there; compile a list and send it in a company-wide email to share. Post articles discussing the importance of language nutrition on your social media or Slack channels. Knowledge is its own kind of power. 

 
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to literacy. Every community has unique needs, challenges and solutions to literacy. Partnering with community efforts is a great way to make an impact in your own backyard. Your efforts don’t have to be related directly to improving reading, either. Nonprofit organizations need help in plenty of other areas. Consider what your business is good at—landscaping, marketing, event planning, etc. How could those skills and services be put to use to help enrich the learning of children or families in your community?

 
 
You can support Georgia schools directly with your tax dollars through the Peach Education Tax Credit. Capped at $15 million, the program allows individuals and businesses to donate their income tax dollars to schools, with priority placed on funding the state’s low-performing 25% of schools. Donors can choose to donate to a specific school from the School Fundraising Plan Partners list. All donors must fill out an application, and credits are administered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Georgia has a significant literacy crisis, with an estimated 1 million residents lacking basic literacy skills. However, communities, leaders, and schools across the state are uniting in efforts to change the trajectory of education.  The Georgia Reads initiative was established to raise awareness of literacy issues, build partnerships, and to share best practices to drive improvement. You can find additional resources for communities, educators and families on their website, GeorgiaReads.org.