Summer 2026
Foreword
News for our donors who propel us forward.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As summer comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on what an incredible year this has been for Reach Out and Read Colorado and feeling deeply grateful for the community that made it possible.
Like many nonprofits, we have faced a challenging funding environment this year. As foundation funding became more competitive and uncertainty continued across the nonprofit sector, we faced a funding shortfall that required difficult decisions and careful stewardship of our resources. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, however, we ended the past fiscal year in a stronger position than we anticipated just a few months ago.
Individual giving exceeded expectations and helped offset shortfalls in other funding areas. Our events were well attended and successful, our volunteer program continues to thrive, and our community of supporters showed up time and again for Colorado families. Your investment in our mission helped us continue delivering books, literacy guidance, and joyful moments of connection to children and caregivers across the state.
As we look ahead, we know the coming year may be even more challenging. This past spring, our team carefully reviewed every aspect of our budget, making significant reductions wherever possible while protecting the services families count on. At our recent Board Retreat, we took an honest look at the financial realities facing our organization and the nonprofit sector as a whole. Together, we made the decision to pause our planned growth goals for the coming year. While expanding our reach remains an important long-term priority, we believe the responsible path forward is to focus on sustaining and strengthening the programs we already provide until the funding landscape becomes more stable.
Even with these challenges, I remain hopeful.
Every day, we see the impact of trusted literacy guidance and reading together. We see parents gaining confidence, children falling in love with books, and healthcare providers creating meaningful moments that support healthy development. We know this work matters, and we know that because of supporters like you, it will continue.
Thank you for standing with us through both opportunities and challenges. Your partnership makes it possible for thousands of Colorado children to enter school ready to learn, grow, and thrive. We are honored to have you alongside us as we navigate the year ahead and continue building a stronger future for families across our state.
With Gratitude,
Amy Malik
Director of Development | Reach Out and Read Colorado
Deepening Our Impact at
The Spring Event
This past spring, our community came
together for an unforgettable evening of celebration and generosity. Thanks to the support of sponsors, attendees, donors, and volunteers, we raised more than $160,000 to help ensure children and families continue receiving the books and literacy support they need. The evening was filled with inspiring stories, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to helping our youngest learners thrive.
Mark your calendars now for next year’s event on April 8, 2027. We look forward to gathering again for an even more special celebration
as we commemorate our 30th anniversary and honor three decades of reading, relationships, and impact across Colorado.
Support Reach Out and Read Colorado
Every Day While You Grocery Shop
Do you grocery shop at King Soopers? Support Reach Out and Read Colorado every time you shop, at no extra cost to you! Through the King Soopers Community Rewards program, a portion of your eligible grocery purchases is donated directly to Reach Out and Read Colorado, helping us provide books and early literacy guidance to children and families across the state. It’s an easy way to make a lasting impact with the shopping you’re already doing.
Signing up only takes a few minutes! Visit the King Soopers website or app and sign in (or create a digital account), then search for Reach
Out and Read Colorado in the Community Rewards section and select ‘Reach Out and Read CO’ or PS985 as your charity of choice.
Once you’re enrolled, simply shop using your shopper’s card, and King Soopers will automatically donate to Reach Out and Read Colorado every time. Thank you for helping us build brighter futures, one grocery trip at a time!
Do you shop at City Market or another Kroger grocery store? You can participate through their community rewards as well!
Comprehensive Funding Support
to sponsor a partner clinic
Imagine knowing that every child who walks through the doors of a pediatric clinic will receive a new book, encouragement from their healthcare provider, and a stronger foundation for lifelong learning because of your support.
Through Comprehensive Funding Support, donors can “adopt” a Reach Out and Read clinic and provide the funding needed to sustain the entire program at that location. Whether you are an individual, family, business, foundation, or giving circle, this funding opportunity is a unique way to create a lasting connection with a clinic and the families it serves.
By fully funding a clinic, Comprehensive Funding Support partners make it possible for healthcare providers to share books and literacy guidance at every well-child visit, creating thousands of moments of connection between children and the adults who care for them. Your support helps ensure that families have access to the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to build healthy reading habits from the very beginning.
This is more than a sponsorship opportunity. It is a partnership that strengthens a clinic, supports families, and deeply impacts your community. We proudly recognize each Comprehensive Funding Support partner at their sponsored clinic as a visible reminder of the community’s commitment to its youngest learners.
Sponsored Clinics:
- 4 Corners Children’s Clinic | The Durango Herald
- Children’s Hospital Colorado
Special Care Clinic | Alpine Bank - Denver Health: Park Hill Family
Health | Ronni McCaffrey & B Frank - Every Child Pediatrics: Aurora &
Denver | Huntington Bank - Salud Family Health: Fort
Morgan | Brad & Melissa McQueen - Swedish Family Medicine | HCA HealthONE
- Valley-Wide Health: La Junta
Clinic | Greg & Victoria Chestnut - All clinics in Las Animas & Huerfano Counties | The Draper Fuentes Family Fund
“My favorite thing about participating in Reach Out and Read is watching the kids’ faces light up when I give them a book they can keep. Many are excited to share their books with their siblings, and the bilingual books are a hit with parents that speak both languages at home. We are so grateful for this program.”
Healthcare Provider at 4 Corners Children’s Clinic | Durango, CO
Supported by The Durango Herald
Interested in adopting a clinic?
Contact Amy Malik, Director of Development, to learn more about Comprehensive Funding Support opportunities in your community.
Join Us at Books & Beer on October 14th
Join Reach Out and Read Colorado for our Fall Books & Beer Literacy Fundraiser in Golden — a fun afternoon filled with beer, light snacks, sweet treats, games, prizes, and our gently-used book sale — all to support early literacy in Colorado.
When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 5:00 -7:00pm
Where: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | 1640 8th St, Golden, CO 80401
Thank you to our generous hosts at The Eddy Taproom & Hotel for sharing their space and donating 10% of all proceeds from October 14th back to Reach Out and Read Colorado!
Upcoming Events
Save the Date!
Oct 8, 2026: DAF Day (Donor Advised Fund)
Oct 14, 2026: Books & Beer at The Eddy in Golden
Dec 8, 2026: Colorado Gives Day
Feb 2, 2027: Breakfast for Dinner at Snooze
April 8, 2027: Reach Out and Read Colorado’s 30th Anniversary Spring Event at the Tivoli Turnhalle
Other Ways to Make a Difference
Become a Monthly Donor
By joining our monthly giving program, the Literacy Leaders, you’re supporting Colorado children each month with free, developmentally- and language-appropriate books to build home libraries and provide literacy guidance for caregivers.
Give Through a Donor Advised Fund
Donor-advised funds are the fastest growing form of charitable donations and offer unique tax benefits. When you give through a DAF, you create steady funding for Colorado kids.
Volunteer with Us
We are always looking for volunteers to sort gently used books, help with event coordination, and more.
Partnering with Give 5 Mile High
We were thrilled to team up with Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston and Give 5 Mile High for the second year in a row to ensure every Colorado child has access to books and is able to build a home library! Thousands of books were sorted and packed up by 40+ volunteers to be distributed throughout the state and the city of Denver to the families who need them most.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered and who donated books to make this possible!
To learn more about Denver First Lady’s initiative to encourage more Denver residents to volunteer and get involved with nonprofit organizations, visit the Give 5 Mile High website.
Are You Looking for an Easy,
Hands-Off Way to Support Colorado kids?
Do you shop at Target and have a Target Circle number?
Here’s how to participate:
1. Select your home store. If it is not in Denver, Colorado, you will need to temporarily switch your store to Denver. Search 80222.
2. Shop, enter your rewards number at check out, and raise money for Reach Out and Read Colorado.
3. details
It’s that simple!
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