First Book Canada

90 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Suite 1502
Mississauga, ON L5B 3C3
Executive Director: Heather Farquharson
Board Chair: Tanis Feasby

Charitable Reg. #:88875 4603 RR0001

STAR RATING

Ci's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics:

[Charity Rating: 5/5]

✔+

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.

92%

CENTS TO THE CAUSE

For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 92 cents are available for programs.



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OVERVIEW

About First Book Canada:

First Book Canada is a 5-star charity with High Demonstrated Impact. It has an A- Results Reporting grade, which is above average. Its reserve funds and overhead spending are within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 2009, First Book Canada works with educators and partners to remove barriers to learning. It distributes free and low-cost books and resources to educators and kids who need them.  Since its founding, it has distributed over 10 million books and resources. First Book reports that almost 25% of Canadian households do not have a single book and 30% of Canadian third graders lack basic literacy skills. Many schools in economically disadvantaged areas can only afford one new book a year for every three children. First Book is a social enterprise. It helps get books to kids in low-income areas by working with the market instead of relying only on donations. First Book also focuses on providing Canadian stories and Indigenous-authored titles. Its Stories For All project increases access to diverse and affordable children's books. First Book Canada spent $1.4m on its programs in 2024. The charity distributed 368,000 books and reached 350,000 youth, 70% of whom are BIPOC, in 2024.

A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top Impact Charity.

First Book distributes books to the First Book Canada Network. The Network is a community of over 20,000 educators and professionals. Distribution occurs through three main channels: the Marketplace, the Book Bank, and Pop-Ups. The First Book Canada Marketplace provides the Network with access to affordable books and resources and the Book Bank provides donated books and resources to members for only the cost of shipping and handling. In 2024, 104,000 books and resources were ordered from the Marketplace and Book Bank. Pop-Up Book Distributions are local, free distributions of donated books. First Book Canada held six in-person Pop-Up Events, distributing 212,000 books to 770 members, which reached 70,000 youths.

First Book Canada hosted 11 Reading Celebrations for over 900 students in 2024. Reading Celebrations invite authors and illustrators to present to students. First Book Canada also partnered with the LEGO Group to distribute over 10,000 refurbished packages of LEGO to educators.

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Results and Impact

In a poll of the First Book Canada network of educators, First Book found that:

83% report seeing an increased interest in reading after the children received books from First Book Canada.

54% report that children receiving books have increased self-esteem.

88% report resources from First Book Canada helped close the achievement gap for the kids they serve.

It is unclear when this survey was conducted. 

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

First Book Canada’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice.

First Book Canada received $2.5m in donations in 2024, a 170% increase compared to $911k in 2023. The charity also received $2.7m in donated books, and earned $693k in fees from its Marketplace. First Book Canada spent $1.4m on its programs, which is 44% of revenue (excluding donated goods), and recorded a surplus of $1.3m. This is the first time in eight years that First Book Canada recorded a surplus.

First Book Canada does not report any fundraising costs. The charity spent $443k on administration, which is 8% of revenue. For every dollar donated to First Book Canada, 92 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

First Book Canada has $1.3m in reserve funds (cash and investments). These reserves can cover program costs for just under one year, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to First Book Canada for review.

Updated on June 19, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.

Financial Review


Financial Ratios

Fiscal year ending December
202420232022
Administrative costs as % of revenues 7.5%8.2%6.0%
Fundraising costs as % of donations 0.0%0.0%0.0%
Total overhead spending 7.5%8.2%6.0%
Program cost coverage (%) 96.5%9.5%14.1%

Summary Financial Statements

All figures in $000s
202420232022
Donations 2,462911747
Goods in kind 2,7382,6723,330
Fees for service 693717635
Other income 559
Total revenues 5,8984,3054,721
Program costs 1,3811,3521,442
Donated goods exp 2,7382,6723,330
Administrative costs 443351284
Other costs 8007
Total spending 4,6424,3765,063
Cash flow from operations 1,256(71)(342)
Capital spending 001
Funding reserves 1,333128203

Note: 1. Deferred Donations: Ci adjusted for deferred donations, which affected revenue by $535k in 2024, ($15k) in 2023, and ($274k) in 2022. 2. Deferred Program Income: Ci adjusted for deferred program income, which affected fees for service by ($nil) in 2024, ($4k) in 2023, and ($35k) in 2022.

Salary Information

Full-time staff: 4

Avg. compensation: $75,189

Top 10 staff salary range:

$350k +
0
$300k - $350k
0
$250k - $300k
0
$200k - $250k
0
$160k - $200k
1
$120k - $160k
0
$80k - $120k
0
$40k - $80k
3
< $40k
0

Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2023

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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 2023 profile update may be forthcoming.

Charity Contact

Website: www.firstbookcanada.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 866-732-3669

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Charitable Registration Number: 80340 7956 RR0001