READ Global Receives $4.7M Grant | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SAN FRANCISCO -- READ (Rural Education and Development) Global announced today a major grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen the organization’s capacity for future growth. This grant combines the foundation’s unwavering commitment to public library systems with READ Global’s unique approach to sustainable development and empowerment in rural Asia through Community Library and Resource Centers (READ Centers).

“The READ Global model demonstrates the positive impact that libraries are having on people’s lives in the developing world. Community owned and managed READ Centers are allowing rural villagers to gain literacy skills, access important health information and improve their livelihoods,” said Deborah Jacobs, Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation’s Global Libraries initiative. “We are thrilled to partner with an organization that is changing lives and transforming entire communities through libraries.”

To read the full press release, visit the READ web site.