SMART Reading

Mission

To spark joy and opportunity through the magic of a shared book.

Bottom Line for Portland

For nearly thirty five years, SMART Reading has been a trusted partner in helping Oregon’s kids become strong, confident readers. Our work is built on two proven, research backed supports: one-on-one reading practice with trained volunteers and access to high quality books. Each week, SMART volunteers sit side by side with students, building confidence and joy through shared reading. Our Book Bank restores and redistributes thousands of books, putting them directly into the hands of children and families.

The need has never been greater. Children who are not reading at benchmark level by third grade are four times more likely to not graduate high school and that risk is three times higher for children in low-income households. By providing the right support at the right time, SMART Reading helps close this gap, ensuring every child has the tools to thrive in school and beyond. In the 2024-25 school year, our organization reached 22,163 students with reading support and more than 190,134 high-quality books to keep!

Quote

“I was reading with a young boy, and his teacher was also sitting with us as we read. As I was going through the book with him he began to quietly repeat what I was saying out loud. His teacher gasped and whispered to me “he’s nonverbal! He doesn’t talk! This is a miracle!” I got chills and tears in my eyes as I kept reading to him and listened as he quietly continued to copy what I was saying. It’s moments like that, plus so many more, that make me so happy I volunteer with SMART.” - Abigail Gable, Volunteer in Multnomah County

Incentives

The first 20 people to give $125 or more will receive a $20 gift card to World Foods. - It’s our special way of saying thank you for supporting the campaign!

Partner(s)

The Lawrence A. Appley Foundation, Inc.  is generously matching $12,500 in Give!Guide donations to SMART Reading - double your impact today!

Thanks to our non-profit partners, Blanchet House and Self Enhancement, Inc. - show their pages some love!