Bush’s ‘09 Budget Elminates RIF Funding
by Kevin Howell — Publishers Weekly, 4/17/2008 8:08:00 AM
President Bush’s proposed 2009 budget eliminates all the funding for Reading Is Fundamental’s book distribution program that has, since 1966, provided more than 325 million books to more than 30 million underprivileged children.
“With 13 million children living in poverty in this country, the need for RIF has never been greater,” said RIF CEO/president Carol Rasco, The annually funded RIF program is currently approved through September 2009, but if Bush’s budget is approved, 4.6 million children will not receive 16 million free books the following year. RIF, the oldest and largest children’s and family nonprofit literacy organization in the U.S, has been funded by Congress and six Administrations without interruption since 1975.
“With a recent report showing a declining interest in reading among adults and teens, supporting children’s literacy is critical to reversing this trend.,” said Rasco.
“We received $26.6 million in federal funding in 2007 and we’re requesting $26 million this year,” said Frank Walter, RIF’s director of marketing/PR, adding that 75% of funds are provided by federal grants and 25% is raised locally by RIF’s 19,000 volunteer outlets that distribute books at childcare centers, schools or migrant work programs. Ninety percent of the organization’s funds go to purchasing new books for lower income children and for motivational reading activities that take place during RIF’s book distribution.
RIF’s Web site (www.RIF.org) provides a link for supporters to find their senator and representative and send an email message to them and President Bush in support of continued funding. The appropriation committee will be meeting in May and June to decide on budgets.
James Patterson’s recent blog urged fans to visit RIF’s site and voice their concerns. “RIF, if you don’t know, is one of the pioneers of kid-directed book distribution programs,” Patterson wrote. “I’ve already reached out. Do you think you might take a couple minutes to reach out to your congresspersons? Infusing a love of books in our own kids is challenging enough . . . imagine how hard it is to do in families without our resources and level of education.”
This is the second time the Bush administration has tried to cut RIF’s funding. Bush’s first budget proposal in 2001 originally allotted no money for the organization. “There was an uproar across the country and it was reinstated,” said Walter.
Ironically, while President Bush continually overlooks the organization, both his wife and mother have held positions within the organization. Barbara Bush served on RIF’s Board of Directors from 1980 to 1988 and then on its National Advisory Board from 1989 to 1992 (chairing the Advisory Board for three of the four years.) Laura Bush served on RIF’s National Advisory Council from 1996 to 2001.
