Ways to Give
SitStayRead is able to deliver programming to increase literacy in Chicago youth solely because of generous donors like you. A gift of any amount is no small contribution.
How to Donate
Your support helps us to bring books, dogs, and confidence to our young readers. You can donate by clicking the link below or sending a check to our office at 2849 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657.
Here are several ways to contribute to our work and vision of a 100% literate Chicago!
Individual Donors
Choose a one-time cash donation or join The Pack by setting up a recurring donation.
Honorary Donations
SitStayRead is honored to accept gifts in-memoriam of humans or pets.
Fundraising Ideas
Start a book drive or other fundraiser.
Corporate Donors
Find a few of our current donors’ employers with matching gift programs as well as information for stock donations.
Non-Cash Gifts
Learn several ways to contribute to SitStayRead that don't require direct cash donations.
Pup O' Clock Subscription Boxes
SitStayRead has partnered with a local dog subscription box, Pup O’Clock. Learn more about this box.
Honorary & Tribute Donations
Honor Someone Special
Giving in memory or in honor of the people and pets closest to you is a gift that reaches far beyond them and creates an incredibly special legacy. SitStayRead is honored to accept gifts in this form and cherishes the role we may play in your loved one’s celebration of life.
To make a gift in tribute to a loved one, when creating your donation you will have the option to add additional information toward the bottom of the page. You can choose whether you would like us to share with the honoree or their family via email, phone, or share their address to receive a hand-written card from the SitStayRead team. We work diligently to make sure tributes are notified within a week of your donation.
Please reach out to our Operations Coordinator, Selena Clark, if you have any questions.
Planned Giving
A planned gift creates a legacy that ensures a future of joyful and meaningful literacy programming from Sit Stay Read and an investment in closing the early elementary literacy gap on Chicago’s south and west sides. We invite you to join the Shandy Legacy Society, named in honor of our founding Certified Reading Assistance Dog, by investing in future readers.
A planned gift can be made through bequest in a will or living trust, by making Sit Stay Read Inc. a beneficiary of a portion of your IRA, 401k, other retirement plan, or life insurance.
A popular and advantageous tool you can leverage to save on taxes while benefiting Sit Stay Read and our students during your lifetime is a Charitable Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Rollover (also referred to as a QCD — a qualified charitable distribution). This tool allows those aged 70½ or older to make tax-free IRA charitable rollover gifts of up to $100,000 per calendar year directly from an IRA directly to Sit Stay Read, relieving you of a tax penalty on that amount.
We invite you to discuss these options with your family and financial planner. Reach out to Interim Executive Director, Deirdre Harrison CFRE, if you would like to chat about options that would be the most meaningful for you or if we can assist in facilitating a planned gift.
Sit Stay Read Tax Information
SIT STAY READ, INC
2849 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
Federal Tax ID#: 20-0151074
Bequest Language
Please see our easy guide to bequest language to get you started.
Birthday Book Drive
Host a fundraiser for SitStayRead in honor of a loved one’s birthday. This can be an inspiring introduction to philanthropy for young people!
Graduation Book Drive
Are you or a loved one graduating soon? Consider asking friends and family to support your favorite education organization by hosting a fundraiser!
Anniversary & Wedding Registries
Do you and your partner love dogs and literacy? Consider asking friends and family to donate to SitStayRead in honor of your wedding, anniversary or other significant milestone!
Corporate Giving
Matching Donations
Many corporations will match employee giving 1:1, and some will even match 2:1 or 3:1. Below are a few of our current donors’ employers with matching gift programs. Don’t see your company below? Reach out to your employer today to find out about their matching gift program.
AbbVie, Aetna, Allstate, Cigna, Exelon, Google, ITW, Johnson & Johnson, JP Morgan Chase, McDonald’s, Nike, Pfizer, Redbox, Robert Half, Target
Other Ways to Give
Corporations and their employees can also contribute to our mission and vision in the following ways:
Donor-Advised Fund Giving
SitStayRead is always thrilled to receive donations from Donor-Advised Funds. To more easily facilitate this kind of giving, we now have a simple form you can use to directly connect your Donor-Advised Donation to SitStayRead. If your DAF does not appear, please add it using their form or simply share our information with your DAF manager.
For ACH information, contact Selena Clark.
Stock Gifts
Donating stocks has excellent tax advantages, especially if the stock has appreciated in value. Just as with cash gifts, you will receive a charitable donation acknowledgement letter to use when filing your taxes for the full market value of any securities you donate, as long as you have owned them for at least one year.
Should you have questions or make a donation of stock, please reach out to our team to notify us of your generous stock transfer(s) so that we can properly acknowledge your gift and forward information regarding your tax deduction.
Payroll Giving
Oftentimes, employers offer a Payroll Giving program that allows one to select a non-profit (such as SitStayRead!) as a recipient of a portion of one’s paycheck.
These gifts are tax-deductible and create reliable income for SitStayRead. Recurring donations add up to a significant impact over time.
Reach out to your company today about Payroll Giving program and select SitStayRead as the recipient!
Brokerage Information
If you would like to donate stock, please provide the following information to your broker:
Brokerage Name: Oppenheimer
Account Name: SIT STAY READ! Inc
Account Number: G40-014-5707
DTC Number: 0571
SIT STAY READ, INC
2849 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
Federal Tax ID#: 20-0151074
Sample Broker Letter
Download a sample stock letter to Broker.
Gifts In-Kind
SitStayRead accepts gifts in-kind that support our work. New, quality books for kindergarten through second grade, in English and Spanish, and contributions to our annual benefit silent and live auctions are welcomed.
Please visit our Bookshop to order books, and contact us if you would like to create a company or group book drive at a local Independent Bookstore Partner.
Some of our school partners occasionally request additional classroom supplies, as well. This is an excellent option for high school and college service and fundraising projects. Contact our team to learn more.
iGive – Shop at Your Favorite Retailer & Support Us
iGive is an amazing online program that many retailers have partnered with to donate a portion of the sale to a cause of your choice! There is no added cost to you – shopping through iGive lets the retailer know that you want a portion of what your order total is to go toward SitStayRead.
To let stores know you want to donate, you’ll need to start your shopping by visiting iGive.com or by having the browser extension installed.
iGive partners with thousands of stores – such as Walmart, Best Buy, L.L. Bean, and Kohl’s just to name a few.
Donate Crypto
Donating with cryptocurrency is another great way to support SitStayRead. We accept crypto donations directly through Every.org, which simplifies the giving process for donors.
Volunteer
Aren’t able to support us monetarily but still want to be involved? Check out our volunteer opportunities to learn about other ways to further our mission and vision of a 100% literate Chicago!
Pup O’ Clock Subscription Boxes
SitStayRead has partnered with a local dog subscription box, Pup O’Clock to receive a portion of the monthly cost of the box to come directly back to us!
Pup O’clock is the monthly curated box subscription company that is thoughtfully guiding children & families in caring properly for their new pup. Fun & engaging activities, tools, tips, and more for the PUPS, KIDS, and FAMILY!
When you sign up for a Pup O’Clock Subscription box, use our code “KeepReading10” for a discount and to have $5 from each box be directed to supporting our literacy programming!
Help Chicago Students Become Confident Readers
When young students build strong literacy skills early, their confidence grows– in the classroom and beyond. Help support Chicago early literacy programs by donating or becoming a volunteer.