First Book Canada
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
A-
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
High
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
95%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 95 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About First Book Canada:
Founded in 2009, First Book Canada works to create equal access to quality education for children. First Book Canada reports that since 2009, it has distributed more than seven million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families in Canada. First Book believes that education is a child’s best path out of poverty, but access to quality education is not equal. The charity states that almost 25% of Canadian households do not own a single book and 30% of Canadian Grade 3 students lack basic literacy skills. Additionally, schools in disadvantaged communities can only afford one new library book for every three children, and one-third of Canadian public school students live in low-income households.
A Charity Intelligence 2021 Top 10 Canadian Impact Charity
First Book Canada distributes books through four channels: book banks, pop-up book distributions, the First Book Canada Marketplace, and reading celebrations. The National Book Bank is a centralized system that offers large quantities of publisher-donated books for only the cost of shipping. Pop-up book distributions are in-community events that allow local educators and program leaders to choose from thousands of books for children. The Marketplace is a member-only, online store offering children’s books and educational materials at 50-90% off retail prices. Reading celebrations are events across Canada where students attend inspiring presentations by authors or illustrators.
In F2020, First Book Canada distributed over one million new books and resources (although it is not clear what these resources are) and reached 500,000 children and youth across Canada. The charity also held eight special events and five pop-up events. The First Book Canada network is made up of educators, program leaders, health service providers, and professionals who serve children in need. First Book Canada recently reported that there are 13,500 network members across Canada.
Recent News: In F2020, First Book Canada conducted a survey to determine the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on students. Educators reported three main concerns: the mental and emotional health of kids, access to learning and tools, and a decline in academic proficiency due to a long break from formal education. In response to these concerns, First Book Canada distributed 145,000 books through five pop-up events and launched the Read On Canada! Program which used food banks to distribute 140,000 books to 150 cities.
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Results and Impact
First Book Canada reports that in a poll of the First Book Canada network, 83% of respondents reported seeing an increased interest in reading after receiving books from First Book Canada, 54% reported that children receiving books had increased self-esteem, and 88% reported that resources from First Book help close the achievement gap for the kids they serve.
While Charity Intelligence highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of First Book Canada’s results and impact.
Charity Intelligence has given First Book Canada a High impact rating based on demonstrated impact per dollar spent.
Impact Rating: High

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Finances
In F2020, First Book Canada had total donations of $854k. The charity also received $5.2m in donated books, representing 80% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (excluding investment income) and the charity reports no fundraising costs. This results in total overhead spending of 5%. For every dollar donated, 95 cents go to the cause, which is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. This is because overhead costs at this level are rare and may be inaccurate.
First Book Canada has $267k in funding reserves, which could cover 22% or two months of annual program costs. This indicates a need for funding.
Charity Intelligence sent an update of this report to First Book Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on August 3, 2021 by Sydney Olexa.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
---|---|---|---|
Administrative costs as % of revenues | 4.5% | 7.0% | 3.0% |
Total overhead spending | 4.5% | 7.0% | 3.0% |
Program cost coverage (%) | 22.4% | 26.6% | 46.8% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
---|---|---|---|
Donations | 854 | 791 | 754 |
Goods in kind | 5,233 | 4,647 | 7,604 |
Fees for service | 371 | 365 | 311 |
Other income | 45 | 63 | 94 |
Total revenues | 6,503 | 5,866 | 8,763 |
Program costs | 1,192 | 1,054 | 1,102 |
Donated goods exp | 5,233 | 4,647 | 7,604 |
Administrative costs | 293 | 409 | 267 |
Fundraising costs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other costs | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total spending | 6,718 | 6,111 | 8,973 |
Cash flow from operations | (215) | (245) | (210) |
Capital spending | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Funding reserves | 267 | 280 | 516 |
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
0 |
$120k - $160k |
2 |
$80k - $120k |
0 |
$40k - $80k |
4 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2019
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
First Book Canada added the following comment to a previous profile:
A child’s “first book” is not necessarily their first reading experience: it is the first book that they love, that they can call their own, and that sets them on a lifelong path of learning. Working with our extensive network of educators and program leaders, First Book Canada provides new, high-quality books that make their way into the hands and homes of children who would otherwise not have books of their own.
Kids with better literacy skills go on to have better life outcomes. According to StatsCan data, the median household income for Canadians with literacy level 1 or below was $49,700, while the median household income for Canadians at level 4 or 5 literacy (the highest levels) was $84,600. (StatsCan 2016. The association between skills and low income. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2016001/article/14322-eng.htm)
Other studies link childhood literacy gaps to later criminal involvement, substance use, mental health challenges, and obesity. (ECCT 2009. The long term costs of literacy difficulties: 2nd edition. Every Child a Chance Trust.)
Books and stories enhance social and emotional skills, provide perspectives on the world, increase vocabulary and language and build a cognitive toolkit. They are essential windows to the world and empowering mirrors of experience. Together with our partners, we aim to make an impact in the lives of children in need throughout Canada.
Comments for the 2021 profile update may be forthcoming.
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 866-732-3669