What United Through Reading does

United Through Reading is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that helps U.S. military families maintain emotional connection across deployments and other separations through recorded shared-storytime experiences. The program enables active duty service members, National Guard, Reservists, veterans, and wounded or non-custodial service members to record themselves reading children's books aloud and deliver those video recordings to their children and family members. The organization has cumulatively connected over 4.4 million military family members, distributed more than 800,000 books, and facilitated over 600,000 recorded stories.

The technology platform consists of a free mobile application available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Appstore (with ID.me-based military verification), a web platform (utrapp.org) for book ordering and account management, a global network of more than 1,569 Story Stations embedded at military installations worldwide (including naval vessels), and Mobile Story Stations — vans equipped with libraries and recording studios — operating in San Diego, the East Coast, and a third unit being added. Supporting assets include a curated book library validated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the annual Book for the Military Child initiative (now in its 2026 edition with English/Spanish versions and a 2028 selection cycle underway), the Ready for Reading Podcast, printable literacy guides, and a Salesforce-based operational backbone.

The business model is donation-funded: the program is free to all eligible military families, with no fees for app access, recording, or books. Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time and monthly), tiered corporate sponsorships (Narrator's Circle, Storykeeper, Chapter Companion, Page Maker) anchored by defense and financial-sector partners including USAA, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Navy Federal Credit Union, Reader's Digest, Dollar General, and the Dr. Seuss Foundation; participation in the Combined Federal Campaign (#11393); planned giving and estate gifts; and securities/stock donations. Go-to-market combines community-led outreach via military installations, an event-driven cadence (Book Tasting, Stories & Spirits, Storybook Ball, Month of the Military Child), product-led self-service through the mobile app, and a partner ecosystem of 22+ military family support organizations.

Name

United Through Reading

Legal name

United Through Reading

Website

https://unitedthroughreading.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Through Reading is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that helps U.S. military families stay connected through recorded storytime videos, using a mobile app, 1,500+ installation-based Story Stations, Mobile Story Stations, and free book distribution funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Family Literacy Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Reading Content & eBooks (Leveled Readers, Libraries) (EDAFACAH), Early Readers & Chapter Books Publishing (MPAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Military family support
• Literacy programs
• Storytime recording
• Nonprofit services
• Family readiness

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute one-time or monthly donations to support the organization's programs. The organization accepts donations via website, mail, and Amazon Wishlist.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants: Corporate and foundation funding partners provide financial support at various tiers (Narrator's Circle, Storykeeper, Chapter Companion, Page Maker). Partners include major corporations like USAA, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Navy Federal Credit Union, and others.
3. Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): The organization participates in the federal employee giving program with CFC number #11393, allowing government employees to contribute through payroll deductions.
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Donors can include United Through Reading in their estate planning through planned giving, charitable remainder trusts, and IRA qualified distributions.
5. Securities and Stock Donations: The organization accepts donations of securities, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds as part of its giving options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Through Reading is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps U.S. military service members record themselves reading children's books aloud and send the video recordings to their children and families. The program is delivered through a free mobile app (iOS/Android/Amazon), a network of 1,569+ physical Story Stations at military installations worldwide (including on naval vessels), and Mobile Story Station vans. Free children's books are distributed alongside recordings, and the annual Book for the Military Child initiative selects and distributes a featured book each April during Month of the Military Child.

Product overview

United Through Reading operates as a nonprofit offering a unified program connecting military families through shared storytime experiences. The core offering consists of a mobile app for recording and sharing storytime videos, supplemented by a network of physical Story Stations at military installations worldwide, Mobile Story Stations (vans with recording studios), and the annual Book for the Military Child initiative. Free books are distributed through multiple channels including Story Stations, events, and mail orders. Supporting resources include the Ready for Reading Podcast, Literacy Guides, Reading Trackers, and Activity Sheets. The program serves all branches of the military including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Book for the Military Child: Annual initiative launched in 2023 that unites military parents, caregivers, and children around a single reading experience, celebrating the courage and resilience of military children worldwide. Features a special book each year during April's Month of the Military Child.
• Story Stations
• Mobile Story Stations (MSS)

Products and services

• United Through Reading Mobile App Free mobile application for iOS, Android, and Amazon devices enabling military service members to record themselves reading children's books aloud and send video recordings to family members. Includes an ebook library, recording functionality, video playback, and free book ordering through utrapp.org. Users verify military status through ID.me.
• Story Stations Physical recording sites at 1,569+ military installations worldwide where service members record storytime videos and receive free children's books. Includes embedded stations on naval vessels and at family readiness centers, plus location stations at libraries, schools, and community centers near military bases.
• Mobile Story Stations (MSS) Vans equipped with a library and mobile video recording studio that bring UTR programming to community events, schools, libraries, and military family gatherings. Currently operating in San Diego, CA and along the East Coast, with a third unit being added.
• Book for the Military Child Annual initiative selecting and distributing a special book celebrating military children each April during Month of the Military Child. The 2026 book is Home Moves With Me by Kathy Feedham Raggio, published by Elva Resa Publishing; 14,000 copies distributed across military installations with English and Spanish versions.
• Home Moves With Me in UTR App (2026 Featured Book) The 2026 Book for the Military Child featured title, made available inside the UTR mobile app with Spotlight Stories functionality in English and Spanish, allowing service members to record and share the featured book with their families.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of families said the United Through Reading program made family bonds stronger
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AAFMEA (Armed Forces Marketing Council)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting military families. UTR partners with organizations that share a passion for supporting military families to expand capacity and reach.
• YMCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting military families through shared programming and resources.
• Blue Star FamiliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMilitary family support organization partnering with UTR to reach military families through their network.
• AUSA (Association of the United States Army)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the 2nd Annual Book Tasting event hosted at AUSA headquarters. Long-term partner supporting UTR's mission through event sponsorship and advocacy.
• Hope For The WarriorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner providing support for military families. UTR collaborates to bring storytime resources to military families served by Hope For The Warriors.
• National Military Family AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocacy organization for military families partnering with UTR to promote shared reading and family connection programs.
• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization providing support to families of fallen service members. UTR provides grief and loss books recommended by TAPS for military children.
• USOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMilitary support organization with global presence. Partnership helps expand UTR's reach to military families at USO locations worldwide.
• Reach Out and ReadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLiteracy organization partnering to promote early childhood reading and development through military family programming.
• Military Child Education CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting military children's education. Partnership promotes shared reading as part of educational support services.
• Operation HomefrontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit providing assistance to military families. Partnership enables distribution of UTR books and resources to families served by Operation Homefront.
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRelief society providing financial assistance and support to Navy and Marine Corps families. Partnership expands UTR's reach within Navy and Marine communities.
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization representing military officers. Representatives attended Stories & Spirits event to learn about and support UTR's mission.
• R. RiveterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen-owned business employing military spouses. Partnership supports military family community connections and program awareness.
• Elva Resa PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning publisher specializing in military family life books. Publishes the annual Book for the Military Child including Home Moves With Me (2026), Sometimes Apart Always in My Heart (2025), and past titles.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Reach Out and Read: Reach Out and Read partners with pediatricians to give free books to children at well-child visits and coach parents on reading aloud, sharing UTR's focus on literacy promotion and parent-child reading bonds; notably also an active UTR community partner.
• National Military Family Association: NMFA is an advocacy and support organization for military families that partners with UTR to promote shared reading and family connection programs, serving the same primary beneficiary population.
• Blue Star Families: Blue Star Families is a leading military family support nonprofit offering programming and research for service members and their families, comparable to UTR's military-family-only audience and community-driven model.
• Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance and programming to military families, including book and literacy resource distribution to military children alongside UTR; also a UTR community partner.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mails free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five, mirroring UTR's mission of free book distribution to support early childhood literacy, though without the military-specific storytelling component.
• Sesame Workshop (Sesame Street for Military Families): Sesame Workshop operates Sesame Street for Military Families, providing targeted multimedia resources for military-connected children dealing with deployments and transitions — directly overlapping UTR's mission of supporting military families during separations.
• Reading Is Fundamental: Reading Is Fundamental provides free books and literacy resources to under-served children across the US, comparable to UTR's free book distribution model and literacy-focused mission.
• Hope For The Warriors: Hope For The Warriors supports post-9/11 service members, veterans, and military families with programs addressing reintegration and family connection, overlapping UTR's veteran family and wounded service member segments.

Emerging players

• Elva Resa Publishing: Elva Resa Publishing is an award-winning independent publisher specializing in military family life books and is UTR's co-development partner for the annual Book for the Military Child initiative.
• TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): TAPS provides support to families of fallen service members; UTR partners with TAPS to recommend grief and loss books for military children, addressing an adjacent but overlapping segment of the military family community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/utr4military
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLSZruMMbwqFBZiIGN4FRYrEN637BvQ563
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedthroughreading
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-through-reading
• Instagraminstagram.com/utr4military

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Through Reading