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Literacy is the key to solving .

130 million adults in the U.S. struggle to read basic sentences. National Center for Education Statistics. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/state-county-estimates.asp#4

All the things I worry about in life would be better if more people could read, write, and comprehend.

Barbara Bush
News
Barbara Bush Foundation Welcomes Elliott Gaskins, New Chief Development Officer

The Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of a new head of fundraising, who brings expertise from service at several of the nation’s premier nonprofit institutions.

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News
Barbara Bush Foundation Partners with Too Small to Fail and United Way of Pennsylvania to Launch New Early Literacy Campaign

This new initiative will provide Pennsylvania parents and caregivers with the tools and information to support young children’s literacy.

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Events
Barbara Bush Centennial

Featuring special events across the country and the launch of a new family literacy network, this yearlong celebration will honor Barbara Bush’s extraordinary legacy of literacy and reaffirm our shared commitment to carrying on the work that she began.

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The Issue

“Literacy is everyone’s business. Period.”
– Barbara Bush

Literacy is the foundation on which we build full, productive lives – as individuals, as communities, and as a nation. Yet 54% of U.S. adults read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level, and 64% of our country’s fourth graders do not read proficiently. This multigenerational challenge impacts all of us, and it is linked to some of today’s most pressing concerns, from economic growth and public health to community safety and civic engagement. National Center for Education Statistics. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/state-county-estimates.asp#4

Low literacy is a
challenge in our
highest-risk
communities.
See the map >
1 in 5
adults in the U.S.
struggle to fill out
a form. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), 2012/2014/2017 https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/skillsmap/src/PDF/STATE.pdf.
Our Impact

Improving every
aspect of life

For over 35 years, we’ve been changing lives through literacy. Our high-quality programs and resources help parents and children nationwide build literacy skills. Through our research and education initiatives, we drive multisector engagement in solving our country’s literacy challenge.

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SUPPORT

Donate to invest
in our country’s future

By investing in literacy, we can strengthen families, communities, and businesses across the United States. Help us solve today’s most pressing issues.

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If you are a company or organization, learn about more ways to give

About us

A legacy of literacy

Our founder, Barbara Bush, knew that literacy is key to improving lives. As the nation’s leading advocate for family literacy, we’re continuing her mission.

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If more people could read, write, and comprehend, we would be that much closer to solving so many of the problems that plague our nation and our society.
Barbara Bush