Room to Read Marks 25th Anniversary with Strategy to Benefit More Children, More Quickly and Global Recognition List Honoring Partners in World Change

February 25, 2025 – San Francisco – Room to Read, a global education organization focused on nurturing children’s foundational learning skills, today announced milestone achievements —more than 50 million children benefited and $1 billion invested in their programming across 28 countries. The announcement was made in celebration of Room to Read’s 25th anniversary year, alongside the publication of a strategy to accelerate its work moving forward and a global recognition list of its most influential supporters titled “25 Chapters to Celebrate 25 Years.” 

Since its founding in 2000, Room to Read has operated in communities facing economic and educational inequities, supporting young learners to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions through the development of literacy skills, as well as life skills that promote gender equality. Delivering its programming at scale, the organization has doubled in size since 2020, benefiting more children in the last five years alone than in its first twenty. By the end of 2025, Room to Read will have invested more than $1 billion into improving foundational learning for children across the world – driving critical progress for the current generation of children who are experiencing the largest loss of learning in recorded history. 

“We are honored to celebrate 25 years of championing every child’s right to education—in a manner that upholds their dignity and equips them with the skills to make informed choices, invest in themselves, and uplift their families and communities," said Dr. Geetha Murali, Room to Read CEO. “Room to Read is making the impossible, possible alongside our catalytic partners, supporters and advocates. Our story wouldn't be the same without their chapters. We are committed to continuing our work to solve the global learning crisis and make room for all children to read, learn and grow.”   

In celebration of its anniversary, Room to Read has released a global recognition list to honor the significant contributions of individuals and organizations who have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of Room to Read since its founding. The list, curated as 25 chapters of Room to Read's story in honor of its 25 years, includes financial institutions, programmatic partners, volunteers, celebrities, consumer brands, system and institutional partners, among others. 

Committed to accelerating learning outcomes for more children, more quickly, Room to Read has announced a new strategy to guide its work moving forward. With a focus on developing and delivering its evidence-based materials and approaches both directly and in partnership with others, Room to Read boldly aims to double the number of children it serves each year, the number of communities it supports each year and the number of partners it works with by the end of 2027, while delivering positive, measurable learning and life outcomes.  

About Room to Read:  

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read develops children’s foundational literacy skills, as well as life skills that promote gender equality. We nurture these essential skills in children by training and coaching educators, creating quality learning materials and spaces, strengthening education systems, and delivering programs directly and with partners – all while honoring the dignity of every child. Committed to accelerating learning outcomes for more children, more quickly, we have benefited more than 50 million children across 28 countries. Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow. Visit us at www.roomtoread.org.