What is “Be Book Smart”?

RIF has partnered with Macy’s to create Be Book Smart, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children’s literacy. This effort will help RIF provide free books and literacy resources to children nationwide, while expanding RIF’s outreach to the children at greatest risk for developing reading difficulties. This campaign provides an opportunity for Macy’s customers to join the effort and have an impact on literacy in their community.

From June 21–July 21, 2013, Macy’s customers can give $3 to provide a book for a child and receive a coupon for $10 off* a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy’s nationwide. Macy’s will give 100% of every $3 to RIF.

Since 2004, Macy’s has played an integral part of helping RIF carry out its mission, raising more than $25 million to support children’s literacy. That means millions of free books and resources for children who need them the most.

As we launch the 2013 Be Book Smart campaign, Macy’s and RIF are celebrating our 10th year together. Through this incredible partnership, we’ve done amazing things. With your help this year, a Macy’s customer using a Be Book Smart coupon will help RIF get the 10 millionth book to a child in need through this partnership.

Press Information

Why Support the Campaign

Reason #1: By supporting RIF at Macy’s, you are helping provide free books and literacy resources to children in underserved communities. All children need access to books and to be exposed to reading at an early age to prepare for success in school and life. And for many of the children RIF serves, their RIF books are their only books.

Reason #2: Macy’s will thank you with a $10 off coupon* valid on eligible purchases of $50 or more!

Reason #3: You’re a Book Person and helping kids make you feel good.

RIF’s Impact

For the millions of children who RIF serves throughout the country, their RIF books are the only ones they own. In fact, two out of every three children living in poverty have no books to call their own. A child without books starts out behind and is likely to stay behind for the rest of his or her life. The books RIF provides can spark a lifetime of ambition.

A recent analysis of reading research confirmed the impact of RIF's core mission—that simply improving access to books improves children’s reading performance, helps children learn the basics of reading, results in children reading more and for longer lengths of time, and improves children's attitudes toward reading and learning. Please review our summaries of the critical literacy issues and our quick reference guide of recent literacy statistics, both of which illustrate the challenges RIF faces in creating a literate America.

Join RIF’s movement to help get books to children who need them most. Book People Unite!

Who Can Participate

Anyone and everyone! Last year,Macy’s customers participated to raise more than $4.8 million to support RIF programs and initiatives. Anyone who visits a Macy’s store during this summer can ask to Be Book Smart and support RIF at any in-store Macy’s register.

No Macy’s store in your region? You can still help us spread the word online by participating in our sweepstakes. Learn more and start sharing the campaign today.

Campaign Dates and Locations

The campaign begins June 21 and ends July 21, 2013, at all Macy’s stores across the United States.

About RIF

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) delivers free books and literacy resources to children and families in underserved communities in the United States. By giving children the opportunity to own a book, RIF inspires them to become lifelong readers and achieve their full potential. As the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, RIF has placed 410 million books in the hands of more than 39 million children since it was established in 1966.

About Macy’s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks(R) and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R), as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.

About the Partnership

Macy’s and Reading Is Fundamental are asking everyone to BE BOOK SMART!

Motivating children, stirring their imaginations, helping them discover the joy of reading – Macy’s support of RIF, the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to giving back. In 2012, $4.8 million was raised, providing 1.6 million books and multicultural book collections to RIF programs nationwide. More than $25 million has been raised by Macy’s customers and associates since 2004!

Learn more at macys.com/RIF.