Books Between Kids
Books Between Kids is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated children's books and distributes them free of charge to economically disadvantaged children through school-based Book Celebrations at 56+ partner schools and a Community Partners network of 100+ organizations across Harris County.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Books Between Kids does
Books Between Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in November 2012 in Houston, Texas by Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn. Its mission is to build home libraries for economically disadvantaged children by collecting new and gently-used children's books and distributing them free of charge, primarily through two channels: Book Celebrations, where each child at a partner school selects six books to take home and keep, and the Community Partners Program, which supplies books to more than 100 organizations in Harris County including clinics, food pantries, and family-service nonprofits. As of the 2024-25 school year the organization reached more than 27,000 children at 56+ partner schools and distributed over 250,000 books, bringing cumulative distribution to more than 3 million books since operations began in May 2013.
The business model is donation-funded and receives no governmental support. Revenue streams comprise individual contributions (online via PayPal or by check), corporate sponsorships (H-E-B, RSM US LLP, First Horizon Bank, Groundworks, Liberty, JLL, and others underwriting events such as Breakfast & Bingo and Book Bash), foundation grants (including a 2021 NFL Inspire Change grant of $25,000), book donations sourced through 30+ drop-off locations and community book drives, and a small merchandise shop. The cost structure is highly leveraged: only 5 full-time staff operate alongside 1,200+ volunteers contributing 4,000+ hours annually, supported by a recently expanded warehouse at 9947 Harwin Dr. and a decade-long exclusive media partnership with KHOU 11 for the annual Turn the Page campaign. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on manual sorting, physical logistics, and an off-the-shelf Appointy booking system for warehouse intake.
Books Between Kids firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Books Between Kids
- Legal name
- Books Between Kids
- Website
- https://booksbetweenkids.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Books Between Kids is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated children's books and distributes them free of charge to economically disadvantaged children through school-based Book Celebrations at 56+ partner schools and a Community Partners network of 100+ organizations across Harris County.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Books Between Kids industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Literacy Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO), Early Readers & Chapter Books Publishing (MPAJAFAB), Kids’ Book & Learning Materials Organization (HSAFAIAF)
Keywords
Where Books Between Kids is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Books Between Kids business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Financial donations from individuals via credit card (PayPal) or check. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all contributions are tax-deductible.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors for events like Breakfast & Bingo and Book Bash. Sponsors include RSM, Groundworks, First Horizon Bank, H-E-B, Liberty, Hassid Dental, State Farm, JLL, and others.
- Book Donations: Collection of new and gently-used children's books from individuals, corporations, and community book drives for distribution to children.
- Foundation Grants: Support from foundations. Receives no governmental funding; depends entirely on private donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Books Between Kids product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Books Between Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects donated new and gently used books from the community and distributes them free of charge to children in Houston to promote childhood literacy and home reading readiness.
Product overview
Books Between Kids is a nonprofit organization offering book distribution programs for economically disadvantaged children in Houston. Its core offerings consist of two main programs: Book Celebrations (free book fairs at partner schools where each child selects 6 books to keep) and the Community Partners Program (distributing books through 100+ partner organizations). Supporting services include a Book Donation Program accepting new and gently-used children's books, a Book Drive Program providing resources for community-organized collections, a Volunteer Program for warehouse operations, and a Monetary Donation Program. The organization also operates fundraising events including the annual Breakfast & Bingo (raised $120,000+ in 2025) and Book Bash, and participates in the KHOU 11 Turn the Page Campaign. A Shop sells merchandise benefiting young readers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Free Book Distribution Program
- Community Book Drives
Quantifiable outcome
- Distributed 3 million+ books to Houston children since 2012
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Books Between Kids
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Books Between Kids technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Books Between Kids partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.
- KHOU 11flagship10-year partnership (since 2016) for annual Turn the Page campaign including telethon and community book drives. In April 2026, collected more than 40,000 books from 43 book drives at 150+ businesses. Major media partnership driving awareness and donations.
- Houston Independent School District (HISD)coreLong-standing partnership with HISD schools for Book Celebrations. In May 2017, celebrated one millionth book donation milestone. Partnership has grown to include 56+ HISD schools and early childhood centers.
- Better World BookscoreIn February 2013, received generous donation of over 70,000 books. Books Between Kids refers donors with books not meeting guidelines to Better World Books for alternative donation options.
- Barbara Bush Houston Literacy FoundationcorePartnership for literacy initiatives. Barbara Bush's son Neil Bush presented Daily Point of Light Award to Books Between Kids in 2013.
- Houston Livestock Show and RodeosupportingCollaborated with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to distribute books to students at Pugh Elementary in May 2015.
- H-E-BflagshipMajor sponsor of Breakfast & Bingo 2026. Donated flowers (tulips, lilies, roses, hydrangeas) for event centerpieces. Long-standing corporate supporter.
- Alief ISD ReadscoreReading initiative for 3rd graders at three Alief elementary schools with mentors visiting to read to classes. Books Between Kids provided 3 books per student plus bookshelves made by teenagers.
- BakerRipleycoreCommunity services organization providing books for children in their home-based program and head-start program in Harris County.
- Big Brothers Big SisterssupportingBooks distributed for back-to-school events through Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston.
- Kids' MealssupportingBooks distributed at Trunk or Treat events and annual Christmas party for children served by Kids' Meals Houston.
- UT PhysicianssupportingBooks provided for children to take home during well-child visits at UT Physicians pediatric clinics.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Books Between Kids competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Free books mailed monthly to children from birth to age 5, operating nationally through local affiliates and partners. Comparable curated book distribution model scaled far beyond BBK's current footprint.
- Reach Out and Read: Pediatric literacy nonprofit giving books to children at well-child medical visits. Closely mirrors BBK's pediatric clinic distribution channel with UT Physicians, Hope Clinic, and Westbury Pediatrics.
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): National children's literacy nonprofit providing books and reading resources to under-resourced schools and communities. Direct comparable in mission and target population.
- First Book: National nonprofit providing free and low-cost books to children in need through partner programs. Most direct comparable to Books Between Kids in mission, beneficiary population, and community-partner distribution model.
- Raising A Reader: National family literacy nonprofit working through partner organizations to distribute books and engage families. Comparable school and community-based distribution model.
Others
- Better World Books: For-profit social enterprise that collects and resells used books and donates proceeds to literacy nonprofits. Direct book donation partner of BBK and adjacent player in the children's book donation ecosystem.
- United Way of Greater Houston: Houston-area umbrella funding organization channeling corporate and individual donations to local nonprofits. Comparable fundraising operations and corporate partnership model, not a direct service peer.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit serving at-risk youth at scale. Operates broadly in adjacent youth services with comparable target population and corporate fundraising muscle.
Regional players
- Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation: Houston-based literacy foundation that funds and supports local literacy initiatives. Direct local peer with overlapping beneficiary population and existing partnership history.
- Literacy, Inc. (LINC): NYC-based children's literacy nonprofit distributing books through schools and community organizations. Similar book distribution model in a different urban geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Books Between Kids social profiles
Digital presenceBooks Between Kids financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Books Between Kids leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Books Between Kids funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Books Between Kids M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Books Between Kids
What does Books Between Kids do?
Books Between Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects donated new and gently used books from the community and distributes them free of charge to children in Houston to promote childhood literacy and home reading readiness.
Is Books Between Kids a public or private company?
Books Between Kids is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Books Between Kids founded?
Books Between Kids was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Books Between Kids based?
Books Between Kids is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Books Between Kids make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, book Donations and foundation Grants.
Who are Books Between Kids's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Reach Out and Read, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), First Book and Raising A Reader. Others are Better World Books and United Way of Greater Houston. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and Literacy, Inc. (LINC).
Does Books Between Kids have an API?
No public API is recorded for Books Between Kids.
What industry is Books Between Kids in?
Books Between Kids's product category is Children's Literacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAJAG, Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups, with a secondary code of MPAJAFAO, Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.