12 Ways to Celebrate Read > Lead > Achieve Month
1. Apply for an FDS500 grant
This year, Pi Phi is awarding grants to 50 recipient groups nominated by chapters and clubs through our FDS500 program. The grants are used to purchase $2,000 worth of books and school supplies from First Book®, which are then given to children in need. Applications are open September 1 through September 15, 2023. Apply now.
2. Make a gift to The Literacy Fund at Pi Beta Phi Foundation
Gifts to The Literacy Fund support all Read > Lead > Achieve initiatives, including Champions are Readers®, Fraternity Day of Service Signature Events, FDS500 grants and more. Your generosity is what continues to uplift our commitment to literacy. Make a gift now.
3. Bring Champions are Readers® (CAR) to a local school
Inspire a love of literacy and support local schools by participating in CAR, Pi Beta Phi’s unique and interactive reading enrichment program for students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. Contact schools in your community and see where support is needed to get started!
4. Host a book drive
Gather your sisters to host a book drive on campus or in your community. Then, donate the collected books to a local library, school or organization.
5. Build a Little Free Library®
Work together with your sisters and friends to build your own Little Free Library in your community. Then, donate some of your favorite books to get started and encourage others to join you!
6. Become a literacy advocate in your community
Work in partnership with your community leaders to provide more support for local libraries, schools and reading programs. Research volunteer opportunities in your area or get involved by attending school board and parent/teacher association meetings.
7. Make a gift to our Foundation in support of Arrow in the Arctic
Arrow in the Arctic is Pi Phi’s Canadian philanthropy, which helps to fund literacy programs and supplies books for Canada’s Northern library system. Make a gift now.
8. Create bookmarks for your community
Gather your sisters, friends and all the craft supplies for a fun bookmark making event! Create and design bookmarks with a special message that inspires a lifelong love of reading, then share your creations with a local library or school.
9. Join the Pi Phi Pages virtual book club
Pi Phi Pages encourages participants to read a selected book each month, engage in discussion questions and connect with other Pi Phis. Our September book is Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez—get started today to share your love of literacy with your sisters!
10. Apply for a Local Impact Grant
As chapters and clubs fundraise for The Literacy Fund, they're able to nominate 25% of their gifts to a local nonprofit organization with a mission or special program focused on literacy. Our Foundation then matches that 25%, dollar for dollar. Work with your chapter or alumnae club to determine eligable organizations.
11. Inspire your friends to join you
Share literacy statistics, stories, photos and quotes with your family, coworkers and friends—we’ll be sharing this content on our social media channels throughout September. Invite them to join as we celebrate Read > Lead > Achieve month!
12. Share your experiences on social media using #ReadLeadAchieve
Every Pi Phi is one who can make a difference in someone else’s life. Use #ReadLeadAchieve to share your passion for literacy and the impact you’re making for children in your community.
Published August 31, 2023