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Book Literacy Program from Better World Books

With company revenues on track for its strongest year to date, and over eight million new and used book titles for sale, socially responsible online bookseller Better World Books announces today its “Book for Book” initiative: for every book purchased on BetterWorldBooks.com or www.BetterWorldBooks.co.uk, the company will donate one book to charity. The matching program kicks off just as Better World Books raises its ten millionth dollar for literacy, a fundraising effort built into its unique revenue model, which raises funds for non-profit literacy partners with every book sold. Donated books will go directly to non-profits Feed the Children and Books for Africa. The Book for Book initiative is in addition to funds raised for literacy with every sale.

Better World Books Hits $10 Million for Book Literacy, Launches New Book-for-Book™ Initiative

In a major milestone for literacy, Better World Books announced it has raised more than $10 million to support book literacy, global education and literacy nonprofits. To mark the occasion, the socially conscious online bookseller launched a bold new program—Book for Book™.

Matching Every Purchase With a Donation

Under the Book for Book™ initiative, every book purchased on BetterWorldBooks.com will be matched with a book donation to someone in need. This means your next read won’t just feed your mind—it will help another person learn to read.

Even better, the program expands on the company’s original model, which already supports hundreds of nonprofit partners around the world. That includes literacy efforts in the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Digital infographic showing Better World Books’ Book-for-Book™ initiative, featuring bold text and book icons on a blue background.
Better World Books launches the Book-for-Book™ program—matching every purchase with a book donation to promote global literacy.

Book Literacy: A Decade of Impact

Since its founding in 2003, Better World Books has championed literacy by collecting and reselling used books. As a result, they’ve diverted over 73 million books from landfills and funded countless educational programs.

“Reaching $10 million is just the beginning,” said David Murphy, former CEO of Better World Books. “Book for Book™ reinforces our commitment to literacy by turning every purchase into a direct contribution.”

Partners in Education

Proceeds from the program will also continue to support key literacy organizations such as:

  1. Room to Read
  2. Books for Africa
  3. National Center for Families Learning
  4. Worldfund

Thanks to these partnerships, Better World Books has already helped build libraries, distribute books to underserved communities, and promote reading programs worldwide.

Sustainability Meets Social Good

The company’s model merges environmental sustainability with social impact. By reselling and donating used books, they reduce waste and extend the life of educational materials. Meanwhile, every sale helps fund reading programs and access to books where they’re needed most.

Empowering Local and Global Communities

At the same time, Book for Book™ extends beyond international aid. Better World Books also supports local initiatives across the United States. For instance, community libraries, correctional education programs, and underfunded schools regularly benefit from the company’s donations. Even more impressive, the model allows readers to participate directly in systemic change—simply by choosing where to shop. So whether you’re buying for pleasure or study, your purchase becomes part of a much larger impact. In many cases, those donated books are the only educational resources some communities receive. Because of that, every order has lasting effects. Over time, this approach fosters a culture where sustainability, literacy, and empowerment go hand in hand.

Looking Ahead

Finally, Better World Books is also more than a marketplace—it’s a movement. With the launch of Book for Book™, the company invites readers to join a mission that empowers education, supports nonprofits, and fights global illiteracy.

So next time you shop for a book, consider making it count—especially for yourself and for someone who needs it.

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