Mediaplanet and Pi Beta Phi Launch 'Literacy in America' Campaign

Affecting people of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds, illiteracy touches more than 32 million people in the U.S.-that's 14 percent of the nation's population. And, as two-thirds of our nation's impoverished children don't have a single book to call their own, this campaign aims to bring awareness to the silent epidemic of low literacy and make an impact on generations of readers.

Featured on the campaign's panel of experts, Pi Beta Phi's executive director Juli Willeman. "We support literacy efforts by providing high-quality books and reading mentors to children in need," she explains. "Reading proficiency predicts future success and without access to books children are less likely to become readers. Once books are in hand, consistent interactions with adult readers can encourage the love of reading."

To encourage and inspire a lifelong love of reading, Pi Beta Phi spearheads multiple reading initiative such as The Literacy Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation, which supports the Read > Lead > Achieve initiatives. It also offers two literacy-specific grant opportunities: Special Impact Grants and Local Impact Grants. Special Impact Grants are $10,000 grants to organizations with a mission or program focus on literacy that demonstrates impact to women and/or children and has Pi Phi involvement and a Pi Phi sponsor. Local Impact Grants allow a chapter or a club to nominate 25 percent of their literacy gifts for a local nonprofit organization, which will be matched by the Foundation, dollar for dollar.

About Pi Beta Phi
The vision of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to be recognized as a premier organization for women by providing lifelong enrichment to its members and contributing to the betterment of society. The mission of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.

About Mediaplanet
Mediaplanet is the leading independent publisher of content-marketing campaigns covering a variety of topics and industries. We turn consumer interest into action by providing readers with motivational editorial, pairing it with relevant advertisers and distributing it within top newspapers and online platforms around the world.

Press Contact:
Rhonda Le
Rhonda(dot)le(at)mediaplanet(dot)com
646-922-1405

To post a comment, you must register and login.