The nonprofit raised the necessary funds to purchase a larger space on the west side. They’re now seeking another $500,000 to upgrade the facility.
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank has taken a major step forward in its mission to promote literacy in Greater Cleveland.
The organization has secured a new, larger headquarters on the city’s west side during the month March, which coincidentally is National Reading Month. The milestone comes just weeks after the 3News Education Station Initiative spotlighted the organization’s need to raise $300,000 by the end of February in order to secure the building.
The nonprofit reached the goal, raising enough funds to purchase a 24,000-square-foot warehouse in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood. It’s a space that more than quadruples the 5,000-square-foot facility the book bank is leasing near downtown.
The move is expected to solidify the organization’s role as a literacy hub for Cleveland, offering a centralized resource for children, parents, educators, and community members.
“By having a literacy hub here, people know that if you’re an author, if you’re a reader, if you’re a student, if you’re a parent, there’s some place you can go to find resources to make sure that your literacy is elevated and that you can help others do the same,” said Natalie Friedl, executive director of the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank.
The purchase was made possible thanks to a generous $500,000 lead gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, along with a $100,000 contribution from The Higley Fund of the Cleveland Foundation. Additional donations from individuals and community supporters helped the book bank reach their purchase goal.
“So many individuals came forward and donated small gifts, big gifts,” Friedl explained. “They’re all a part of this legacy that shows the commitment that Cleveland has to literacy.”
With the purchase complete, the organization is now entering Phase II of its Next Chapter Capital Campaign, aiming to raise $500,000 for renovations. The upgrades will focus on making the facility fully accessible and creating inviting spaces for children and families.
Among the planned renovations is a special tribute to 5-year-old Apollo Bohanan, a young book lover who passed away unexpectedly last year.
“To honor his legacy and his love of reading and to inspire other children to do the same, we’re creating a space called ‘Apollo’s Book Nook’ where kids can pick up a book — maybe one of Apollo’s favorites — and read quietly or read to him and just have that nice safe space,” Friedl shared.
Since its founding in 2016, the Cleveland Kids; Book Bank has distributed more than 4.9 million free books to children and families across Greater Cleveland. Friedl says the they hope to complete renovations and open the doors of their new home to the public by this summer.
Click here to donate to the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank Next Chapter Capital Campaign.
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