Bernie’s Book Bank’s commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning in our children has made a profound impact on their educational journeys.
Their contributions have enriched the lives of our students, parents, and teachers, opening doors to new worlds, ideas, and possibilities. Each book they’ve provided has played a part in building a foundation for lifelong learning and success. Bernie’s Book Bank’s support has not only encouraged academic growth but has also inspired a sense of curiosity and imagination in our students.
OWNING A BOOK CAN OPEN UP AWORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR A CHILD
Books in a child’s home are the single biggest indicator of academic success – surpassing income, parents’ education, and all other factors. If you want to make a difference in children’s lives, now and in the future, there’s no better way than to help us get books into the homes and hands of children who need them most.
Their donations have been an invaluable resource for our teachers, enabling them to enhance their classrooms with diverse and engaging materials. Parents, too, have expressed their appreciation for the access to books that encourage reading at home, fostering a stronger connection between school and family life.
Their Greater Milwaukee facility is set to open in early 2026! This expansion will allow us to double our impact, reaching 40,000 children annually by the end of next year. But we’re not stopping there; by the end of 2027, we aim to serve an incredible 100,000 children across the six-county Greater Milwaukee area.
This milestone means more books, more smiles, and more opportunities for children to grow as readers and learners. To give our community a behind-the-scenes look, we’ll be offering hard hat tours this fall. Plus, in October and November, we’ll need passionate volunteers to help distribute books in local schools. If you want to join us in building a brighter future for Greater Milwaukee’s children, reach out to Executive Director Jenna Renno to get involved.
To make this vision a reality, we’re currently raising $1 million to unlock a $500,000 matching grant from the Black Spring Foundation. Thanks to the incredible support so far, we’re already 60% of the way there! Every dollar pledged by December 31, 2025, counts toward the match. And for those considering a larger commitment, pledges of $100,000 or more can be fulfilled over five years.
They believe increasing book ownership is a matter of equity. It’s through owning, reading, and sharing books that the potential of every child is unlocked.
Bernie’s Book Bank sources, processes, and distributes eight free quality books to children annually — creating a continuum of service from birth to sixth grade annually, driven by the belief that better futures begin with books.