What are the guidelines for a donation request?

Who is eligible to submit a donation request?

What kinds of donations may be requested?

Who decides if my request is supplied?

How do I submit a request?

What do I include in my request?

How can I help promote my request to potential donors?

What should I do if I don't receive my books?

What are the guidelines for a donation request?

• The individual making the request must provide verifiable personal identification for themselves and contact information for their school or organization, if identified in the ad.
• Requests should be for a clearly defined literacy project, event, or situation.
• Requests should contain information about the project and/or the recipients.
  (description/photographs of the classroom/library/situation and/or information about the students)
• Requesters should be able to prepare any reports and/or receipts required by the Donor
• Photographs and thank you notes from the children are greatly encouraged
   

Who is eligible to submit a donation request?

• Parents, teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, home schoolers, and adult literacy coaches.
• Participants in any recognized literacy organization or government literacy program.
• Any other literacy advocate engaged in promoting literacy.
• Any child or adult who needs a book to help them learn to read.

What kinds of donations may be requested?

• Books or Gift Certificates for achievement awards or prizes.
• Open requests for general stock to fill or replenish library shelves.
• Specific titles for classroom use or to replace lost books in libraries.
• Books or Gift Certificates to be given out to children with special needs (Ownership promotes reading programs, etc.).
• Textbooks for classrooms.
• Specific books for new readers learning to read.
   

Who decides if my request is supplied?

• Individual donors choose the requests they wish to sponsor.
• ChildrensBookMarket will verify the membership information of the person submitting the requests when they are submitted, but will not make any decisions about which projects should receive funding.  
• Potential donors should verify the identities of their recipients and may request additional information or documentation before making a decision to sponsor a request.

How do I submit a request?

• Register with ChildrensBookMarket.com.
• Navigate to the Mart and click on the Place Ad link. 
• Select the Request for Books or Gift Certificates Ad Type.
• Fill out the Request Ad describing your request in detail.
• Upload up to six images to help potential donors understand your situation.
• Review and submit your request.  Once your registration information and your donation request has been reviewed, your request will be posted to the Mart in the category you chose.
   

What do I include in my request?

• A clear definition of what you are requesting (may include specific titles, general subjects, book quantities, gift certificate quantities, reading levels, book types, languages, etc.).
• A statement explaining the need and how the requested items will be used.
• Some background information about the situation.
• Some biographical information about you and the recipients including photographs if possible.

Describe your request in a conversational manner and help the potential donor understand the impact their donation will have on literacy in your situation.

How can I help promote my request to potential donors?

• Print out your request and distribute copies to community bulletin boards and local businesses.
• Use the "Mail This Ad To A Friend" link on your request ad to notify friends, colleagues, community leaders, and other potential donors.
• Send out press releases to local media announcing your participation in the ChildrensBookMarket literacy Mart and include the most important details of your request.
• Advise that your project is tax-deductible, if applicable, and that you will provide a receipt upon request.

What should I do if I don't receive my books?
All donations are strictly between the donor and the recipient.  If the books are lost or damaged in the mail, you can always relist your ad after you notify the administrator of the problem.