Donating to Read to Succeed

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Our Contribution

Founding History & Mission:

Read to Succeed was created to address the reading achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students head-on, by encouraging the crucial activity of summer reading.

Impact & Achievements:

Significant achievements include providing over 28,560 free books and awarding more than $3.1 million in scholarships to low-income students over 16 years.
The program has grown from awarding $117,000 in scholarships in the pilot years to awarding $430,000 to 430 students in 2024.

Donor Contribution

The Papitto Foundation covers all administrative expenses, ensuring that 100% of donor contributions directly support books and scholarships for students.

The program’s model provides substantial benefits, with summer reading efforts equating to three years of summer school and significantly increasing college enrollment rates among participating students.

Why Donating Matters

Read to Succeed tackles the summer slide that disproportionately affects low-income students, who typically lose 17 - 28% of their reading gains over the summer.
The program has responded to pandemic-related educational setbacks, expanding its reach and impact. Local statistics show significant needs: only 19% of Providence 3rd graders and 15% of 8th graders met reading expectations in 2024.
Partnerships, including the Bryant University and Salve Regina University opportunities, enhance the impact of Read to Succeed by matching scholarship funds, further supporting students' educational journeys.

Create Opportunity
with your donation to Read to Succeed

Donate Today: Your contribution ensures that students receive the books and scholarships they need to thrive academically and pursue their dreams of a college education.
Become a Partner: Collaborate with Read to Succeed to expand our reach and amplify our impact. Whether you're a business, community organization, or individual, there are many ways to get involved.
Spread the Word: Help us raise awareness about the importance of summer reading and the difference it makes. Share our mission with your network and inspire others to join our vision.

Together we can change lives, one book and one scholarship at a time. Let’s empower students to Read to Succeed in school, college, and beyond. Donate now and be a part of this life-changing journey.

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Scholarships

Read to Succeed has awarded

$3.1 million in scholarships.

Achievement Gap

Over 1,000

students have completed

Read to Succeed.

Summer

Learning Loss

Kids can lose up to 28% of their reading skills over summer. Read to Succeed stops this slide by keeping kids reading and learning.

Distribution

Read to Succeed has distributed 28,566 books to partner schools.

Enrollment

Expecting

620 students enrolled in 2025.

Making A Difference

Bryant University
and
Salve Regina University
Partnerships

When students are ready to start researching and applying to colleges, they can consider Bryant University and Salve Regina University! Through a unique partnership, if a student enrolls at Bryant University, they not only receive their financial aid package, but also receive a one-to-one match of Read to Succeed CollegeBound Saver funds.

Ben Chen was accepted to Bryant University and doubled his Read to Succeed investment with the Bryant University match.

I am truly so thankful and feel so fortunate to be a Read to Succeed student, this has opened new opportunities for me! Bryant will be some of the most important moments of my life. Working with the financial aid office and David Wegryzn (Vice President, University Advancement and Read to Succeed Board Member) has instilled an excitement in me to step foot on campus as a student!

- Ben Chen

2023 Donors

Champions of Literacy

$100,000+
The Papitto Foundation

$20,000+
Warren Alpert Foundation
The Carter Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation
Edward J. and Virginia A. Routhier Foundation

$10,000+
Bryant University
Manchester Street Station
Rhode Island Foundation and its Fund for Rhode Island,

the Alita C. Marks Endowment Fund and the
Margaret Hanley Van Orden Fund

Ambassadors of Education

$5,000+
Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon Charities for Children
John Tarantino, Esq.
June Rockwell Levy Foundation

$2,500+
Adler, Pollock & Sheehan P.C.
Bank of America Private Bank
BankRI
Charles Schwab & Co.
John Clarke Trust
Corient
Cox Communications
Linda Jane Maaia
Santander Bank
Frederick C. Tanner Memorial Fund

$1,000+
Anonymous
Ascensus
William C. Bowling Sr. Memorial Fund
Coastal1 Credit Union
The Diocese of Providence
HarborOne Foundation
Harry M., Miriam C. & William C. Horton Fund
Navigant Credit Union
Paul and Joyce Kilmartin
Phyllis Kimball Johnston & H. Earle Kimball Foundation
Stephen and Olivia Kistner
LT Masonry
Bhikhaji Maneckji Fund

Barbara Papitto
Providence Performing Arts Center
Geroge A. Ramlose Foundation
Jerrold Salmanson

Proud Reading Supporters

$500+
David Guertin, Jr.
Robert Ricci
Michael Voccola, Esq.
Washington Trust Charitable Foundation

$100+
Michael and Alice Bonitati
Bradford Boss
Elisabeth Carter
Mary Clark
Kelly Clifton
Dan Corley and Elizabeth Beach
Patricia D’Ambra
Maura Farell
Megan Fogg
Dr. Brian Hogan
John Kosterlitz
Thomas McCabe
The Pucci Family Fund
Martha Rodgers
Jeffrey Schreck