Theory of Change
At Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), we believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and develop the literacy skills needed to thrive. For 60 years, RIF has worked to inspire a passion for reading by connecting children with high-quality books, meaningful choices, and engaging literacy experiences.
Our work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: When children have access to books they want to read, opportunities to choose and own those books, and encouragement from the adults in their lives, they are more likely to engage in reading experiences that support literacy development over time and grow skilled readers.
RIF's Logic Model illustrates how our programs, partnerships, and literacy resources work together to turn this belief into action and measurable outcomes.
From Book Ownership to Literacy Outcomes
RIF's Logic Model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how our work supports children's literacy development. It identifies how RIF’s inputs, activities, and outputs impact children’s literacy. At the heart of the model are three interconnected elements:
1) Choice, Access, and Engagement
Children need meaningful opportunities to discover and select books that reflect their interests, experiences, cultures, and reading preferences. By providing access to high-quality, age-appropriate books that children can choose, take home, and keep, RIF helps build home libraries and creates opportunities for reading beyond the classroom.
2) Engaging Literacy Experiences
Access to books is an important starting point, but what children do with those books matters. RIF's Book Celebration Events and literacy engagement strategies are designed to encourage children to explore, read, reread, discuss, and share their books. These experiences help foster voluntary reading and sustained engagement with books.
3) Joyful Literacy Resources
Children's reading experiences are strengthened when families, educators, and community partners are equipped to encourage and support literacy development. RIF provides resources, training, and practical strategies that help adults create positive reading experiences and support children's reading.
Together, these elements create opportunities for children to build reading habits that contribute to literacy growth, helping them to ultimately become proficient readers.
Explore RIF's Logic Model
Our Logic Model illustrates the connections between RIF's resources, program activities, participant experiences, and intended outcomes. It also recognizes the important role of children's interests, family literacy practices, and school and community environments in shaping reading experiences.
RIF's Logic Model illustrates how access to personally selected books, high-quality program implementation, and literacy resources contribute to children's reading engagement and literacy development over time.
Together, we are building a nation of readers by creating opportunities for every child to experience the joy and power of reading.
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RIF in action
Since 1966, we’ve partnered with educators, families, and literacy advocates to change the trajectory of the literacy crisis. Check out the latest from RIF.
Join the RIF literacy movement
Our corporate partners of all sizes make a real difference in the very communities where their employees live and work. We align our partners’ business and philanthropic goals to build effective, integrated campaigns and programs. Here are just a few organizations we’re proud to call our partners.
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