The ability to read is more than just a childhood milestone—it’s the gateway to a lifetime of discovery, growth, and opportunity. Strong readers are better equipped to explore new subjects, solve problems, and connect with ideas and perspectives from around the world. Experiences with reading lay the groundwork for critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity that will shape them into lifelong learners.
Research underscores the importance of fostering a love for reading early on. According to the American Institutes for Research's 2023 report, "Programs using strategies to increase involvement in reading (i.e., amount of time spent on reading) seemed to have positive effects on engagement and promising results on reading outcomes." By encouraging young readers to spend more time with books, we help them build the habits and skills they need to succeed both academically and personally.
Combine Literacy and Fundraising with Read-A-Thon
At Read-A-Thon, we believe that fundraising should do more than raise money—it should inspire, educate, and unite. Combining a passion for literacy with the power of fundraising creates a unique opportunity to do just that. By centering fundraising efforts around reading, schools and libraries can engage students in a meaningful activity that not only enhances their literacy skills but also cultivates a sense of accomplishment and connection. This approach transforms traditional fundraising into a purposeful experience, where minutes read contribute to personal growth and community support.
Read-A-Thon is more than a fundraising platform—it’s a celebration of reading as a powerful force for good. By providing the tools necessary for students to see their progress and stay motivated throughout a fundraising event, Read-A-Thon is empowering students to build lifelong habits of literacy and perseverance. At the same time, it unites the school community with a shared purpose and delivers an easy, effective way to raise funds while celebrating student participation.
Creating a Culture of Reading
At the heart of Read-A-Thon is our mission to help schools and organizations create a culture of reading. This happens when kids get excited about reading, learn to set realistic reading goals, and see reading modeled by the adults in their lives. Read-A-Thon adds to this process by providing an easy-to-use platform that allows educators and families to log students' reading minutes, track their progress, and celebrate their achievements through fun, gamified experiences, and rewards. It is our hope that as students gain reading momentum during their school's fundraiser, their enthusiasm becomes contagious, sparking excitement among their peers.
When schools host a Read-A-Thon, they gain a powerful tool to jumpstart or supercharge this cultural shift. Read-A-Thon's resources allow schools to do the following:
Teachers and staff are equipped to encourage consistent participation, while families and guardians are invited to join the journey, reinforcing literacy as a shared priority. As students develop strong reading habits, supported by a school community that prioritizes and celebrates literacy, a culture of reading naturally emerges. This culture benefits individual students by building their skills and confidence, and its impact is transformative for the entire school environment. With literacy at the forefront of school activities, Read-A-Thon helps as you strive for a thriving, community that values education, reading, and lifelong learning.
Simplifying Fundraising for Staff and Volunteers
Running a successful fundraiser can often be a daunting task for school staff and volunteers, but Read-A-Thon simplifies this process significantly with our all-in-one digital solution. Unlike traditional fundraisers that require product sales or other online fundraiser platforms with complex logistics that cause extra work and headaches for organizers, Read-A-Thon focuses on reading and participation, making it easy to set up and manage. A dedicated fundraising coach is on hand to guide schools and organizations through every step, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
A Read-A-Thon works like this: educators get students excited about reading, students read and log their minutes, and the trusted adults in their lives get donations online by sharing about their student's Read-A-Thon via text, email, and social media. This simplicity allows educators to focus on what matters most—student success and engagement—without being bogged down by administrative burdens. With Read-A-Thon, there are no products to sell or door-to-door campaigns to organize, just a straightforward, effective way to raise funds online. This streamlined approach of using a fundraising website not only saves time and effort for staff and volunteers but also maximizes the impact of the fundraising efforts, ensuring that the school or organization benefits to the fullest extent possible.
Supercharge Your Read-A-Thon with Instant Rewards
Read-A-Thon’s free Instant Rewards program is an easy and powerful way to enhance your fundraiser and works seamlessly with any prize model you choose. Designed by a team of fundraising professionals and former educators, Instant Rewards focuses on two key elements proven to drive success: encouraging your students to read as much as possible and celebrating students’ progress consistently. These elements are central to building motivation, and Instant Rewards makes it simple to put them into practice. This program is designed to celebrate every student’s reading progress—regardless of donations—creating an inclusive way to motivate all participants.
Instant Rewards are quick and easy for educators to implement during a Read-A-Thon. Read-A-Thon provides pre-made, free coupons that are shipped directly to you for quick and easy distribution. All you have to do is cut them out and hand them to your students to recognize their reading accomplishments. While these pre-made coupons are ready to go, schools have the ability to create, print, and cut their own customized coupons tailored to their specific needs and goals.
Many of the schools and organizations Read-A-Thon has worked with over the years have seen increased fundraising success when they implement our Instant Rewards program during their Read-A-Thon. We believe this is because Instant Rewards helps keep students focused on reading, while the trusted adults in their lives secure the donations. Not only that, the coupons Read-A-Thon offers and the custom coupons some schools choose to create for themselves, are centered around experiences. When a student earns the privilege of picking music to play during independent work time or getting to have lunch with their principal, their Read-A-Thon becomes so much more than a fundraiser—it becomes a vehicle for encouraging independence and relationship building.
With no additional cost or complicated setup required, Instant Rewards allows schools to quickly acknowledge students’ efforts and foster a love of reading while supercharging their fundraiser. Instant Rewards is an effective, streamlined way to make every reading minute count and ensure every child feels celebrated for their progress.
Book a Read-A-Thon and Start Raising Money for Your School
Ready to inspire a love for reading while raising funds effortlessly? Read-A-Thon offers the perfect blend of literacy and fundraising, creating meaningful experiences that benefit students, schools, organizations, and communities alike. Whether you’re looking to empower your community through literacy, simplify fundraising for students, family, and staff, or cultivate a school-wide culture of reading, Read-A-Thon has the tools and support to make it happen. Learn more about Read-A-Thon today, or book your Read-A-Thon now and take the first step toward a brighter future for your students and your school!