• February 1, 2024 TopicsBook Clubs Book Fairs books parents philanthropy teachers

Scholastic Canada Launches 2022–2023 Philanthropic Impact Report

We are thrilled to announce an exciting milestone in our company’s ongoing commitment to improving literacy across the country and fostering a joy of reading: the launch of the SCHOLASTIC CANADA POSSIBLE FUND. 

The Scholastic Canada Possible Fund provides quality books to children and families in underserved communities and in areas recovering from crises or natural disasters. Our goal is to improve literacy across the country, enrich learning experiences, and foster a joy of reading. We do this by partnering with grassroots community groups, organizations with on-the-ground literacy initiatives, as well as charity and nonprofit partners nationwide. Through these partnerships, children with the greatest need across Canada receive thousands of books every year.

Scholastic’s network of partners understands that every child must have the opportunity to read confidently and develop their full potential.

We are pleased to announce the Scholastic Canada Possible Fund and to share our 2022–2023 Impact Report*. 

Partner Spotlights:

Indigenous Communities and Organizations 
In the past year, Scholastic Canada donated 31,122 books and other educational items to 24 Indigenous schools and organizations across the country. Our partnerships are both directly with Indigenous communities and with organizations that serve them. They include the Healing of the Seven Generations Backpack Program, which provides First Nations, Inuit and Métis children with the supplies they need to start the school year, as well as programs run through the First Nations Education Initiative, the Interlakes Reserves Tribal Council, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, and the Keewaytinook Internet High School.

Little Free Libraries 
Little Free Libraries is a non-profit organization that aims to create greater and more equitable book access in neighbourhoods around the world by creating publicly accessible, free community book exchanges. They provide libraries at no cost to underserved urban, suburban, rural and Indigenous communities, as well as in geographic areas with sparse access to books (known as “book deserts”). 

One of their key priorities is to champion and to stock libraries with diverse books. This year, Scholastic Canada donated 444 books to six LFL neighbourhood partners, including the KW Little Free Diverse Libraries Initiative, which aims to “amplify the voices of Black, Indigenous and racialized authors, as well as writers from other historically marginalized groups (2SLGBTQIA+, those with disabilities) and to help educate, inspire and encourage and promote anti-racism across the region.”

Fondation pour l’alphabétisation 
Fondation pour l’alphabétisation is a non-profit organization with a mission of supporting Quebecers in developing and maintaining their literacy skills. This includes providing educational programs for children and adults, granting funding for community literacy projects, and engaging in policy advocacy that increases awareness around literacy issues to stakeholders. In the past fiscal year, this organization was Scholastic Canada’s largest donation partner and our primary donation partner in Quebec, with over 25,000 books and other educational items donated. 

Ukrainian Organizations 
This year we donated books to four organizations supporting refugees who have arrived in Canada from Ukraine, resulting in a total donation of approximately 1400 books and other educational items. Some of our partners included the Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education’s Backpack 4 Hope initiative and the Ukrainian Youth Settlement and Belonging Project. 

Celebrating Kids of all Abilities 
This year we donated 1100 books to four organizations to support the success of several events and celebrations organized for children with disabilities. This included the Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families and the Newmarket Lion’s Club annual holiday parties, as well as several “Unbirthday” events thrown by Friends4Kindness, an organization created to foster inclusion and celebrate kids who have trouble connecting with others. 

*Scholastic reports philanthropic efforts based on its fiscal year calendar, which began June 1, 2022 and ended May 31, 2023.