The Reader's Digest Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on supporting literacy and family connection programs for U.S. service members and their children. All recorded giving in this dataset funds United Through Reading’s initiative to enable deployed personnel to record themselves reading to their kids, emphasizing emotional support for military families through storytelling.
Highly concentrated giving: a small number of large, repeat grants directed to a single core grantee (United Through Reading) focused on a specific program/campaign.
Reader's Digest Foundation's largest recent grant, $2,066,100 in 2025, went to United Through Reading for general operating support, underscoring a grantmaking pattern centered on literacy and parent-child connection for U.S. military families. Across the dataset, the foundation backs programs that let deployed service members record themselves reading stories for their children, including a $500,000 grant in 2023 for the 40 Million Stories Campaign and a $334,000 grant in 2024 for Operation Storytime. Those awards show a clear preference for sustained support of one core grantee and its storytelling-based model. The foundation also makes smaller awards outside that core area, such as $100,000 to the New York Historical Society in 2025 for general operating support and a series of employee-linked gifts and matching grants to community charities. Its giving includes both unrestricted support and program-specific funding, and the recent record shows activity in multiple years rather than a single one-time award.
Military family literacy is the clearest theme in the recent record. Reader's Digest Foundation gave $2,066,100 in 2025 to United Through Reading for general operating support, and earlier grants supported the same organization’s 40 Million Stories Campaign and Operation Storytime. The stated purpose in those awards is to let members of the armed forces read stories while deployed overseas or at sea and record them for their children. The foundation also funds cultural and educational organizations outside that core mission. In 2025, it awarded $100,000 to the New York Historical Society for general operating support. Smaller grants also went to community-oriented organizations through matching gifts, including Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, Milwaukee Rescue Mission, and Doctors Without Borders USA.
Reader's Digest Foundation’s typical grant size is small, with a p25 of $100, a median of $250, and a p75 of $1,006, even though annual grantmaking totals $3,071,542. The record shows both very large general-operating awards and many small employee-related gifts. Grants appear in multiple years, including repeated support for United Through Reading in 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as repeated giving to some smaller recipients across 2024 and 2025. The foundation makes program-related investments: False. It also funds individuals, according to the provided profile, and the grant list includes matching-gift and volunteer incentive entries tied to employee participation.
$2.2M
$0
$555K
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $100 and $1K, with a median of $250.
25th Percentile
$100
Median
$250
75th Percentile
$1K
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Notable grantees: United Through Reading
Giving is national, with all recorded grants in the United States. The most frequent recipient state is New Jersey, while 33% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state of New York. Recent recipients include San Diego, New York, Milwaukee, Chappaqua, and Raleigh. The list also reaches Stamford, Oxnard, Winston Salem, and Bellingham, showing a broad spread of recipient locations rather than concentration in one city.
The recent record centers on literacy and family-connection programs for U.S. service members and their children. It also includes general operating support for a historical society and many smaller matching gifts to community organizations, schools, arts groups, and health-related nonprofits.
Yes. United Through Reading appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with awards of $500,000, $334,000, and $2,066,100. Children’s Aid Society - Wagon Road Camp also appears more than once across 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grant-size distribution is small at the center: p25 is $100, median is $250, and p75 is $1,006. The dataset also includes larger exceptions, including a $2,066,100 grant in 2025 and a $500,000 grant in 2023.
The top state by grant count is New Jersey. New York is also important, accounting for 33% of grants, and recent recipient cities include New York, San Diego, Milwaukee, Chappaqua, and Raleigh.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED THROUGH READING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,066,100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FROM THE HEART PRODUCTIONS | OXNARD, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOUTH ATLANTIC | RALEIGH, NC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OFF ASSIGNMENT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY - WAGON ROAD CAMP | CHAPPAQUA, NY | $1,055 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR PEACE INC (BPEACE) | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $1,025 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT | WEST MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TATTERED PAWS AND GOLDEN HEARTS RESCUE | BELLINGHAM, WA | $970 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PTA WISCONSIN CONGRESS | SHULLSBURG, WI | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $450 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | NEW YORK, NY | $280 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OSSINING FOOD PANTRY | OSSINING, NY | $200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $150 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $150 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHOSEN 300 MINISTRIES INC | ARDMORE, PA | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EQUIDON INC | LAREL BLOOMERY, TN | $100 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKELAND UNIVERSITY INC | PLYMOUTH, WI | $55 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIG EAST AKITA RESCUE | TOMS RIVER, NJ | $50 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOOVERS HAUSE ALL DOG RESCUE | OLIVE BRANCH, MS | $50 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JONATHAN MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN INC | CHASKA, MN | $35 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUTH APOSTLES INSTITUTE | MCLEAN, VA | $25 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF HUDSON VALLEY | CORNWALLONHUDSON, NY | $25 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MID HUDSON ANIMAL AID INC | BEACON, NY | $25 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED THROUGH READING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $334,000 | 2024 | FOR OPERATION STORYTIME CAMPAIGN |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOUTH ATLANTIC | RALEIGH, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF CONNECTICUT INC | STAMFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,400 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $2,225 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY - WAGON ROAD CAMP | CHAPPAQUA, NY | $752 | 2024 | VOLUNTEER WORK AT WAGON ROAD CAMP |
| BIRDIES & BOGEYS FOR BOB | MAHOPAC, NY | $500 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| TURKISH PHILANTHROPY FUNDS | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| RISING CITY COMMUNITY LIBRARY | LINCOLN, NE | $450 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| US FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $350 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $300 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $300 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $300 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| JUDGES & LAWYERS BREAST CANCER ALERT | NEW YORK, NY | $250 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $250 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $250 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR PEACE INC (BPEACE) | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $250 | 2024 | COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD $250 FOR 25 HOURS OF SERVICE OR MORE TO AN ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION (EMILY CHRISTNER - VIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM) |
| MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM | MILWAUKEE, WI | $225 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOKE, NY | $225 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA | $125 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | CHICAGO, IL | $100 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $100 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
| YOUTH APOSTLES INSTITUTE | MCLEAN, VA | $100 | 2024 | MATCHING GIFT |
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OFF ASSIGNMENT INC
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE INC
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY - WAGON ROAD CAMP
$1,055GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR PEACE INC (BPEACE)
$1,025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MEQUON-THIENSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TATTERED PAWS AND GOLDEN HEARTS RESCUE
$970GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PTA WISCONSIN CONGRESS
$500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$450GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA
$280GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$150GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHOSEN 300 MINISTRIES INC
$100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EQUIDON INC
$100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BIG EAST AKITA RESCUE
$50GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOOVERS HAUSE ALL DOG RESCUE
$50GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JONATHAN MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN INC
$35GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUTH APOSTLES INSTITUTE
$25GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FOOD BANK OF HUDSON VALLEY
$25GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MID HUDSON ANIMAL AID INC
$25GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF CONNECTICUT INC
$5,000MATCHING GIFT
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$3,400MATCHING GIFT
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY - WAGON ROAD CAMP
$752VOLUNTEER WORK AT WAGON ROAD CAMP
BIRDIES & BOGEYS FOR BOB
$500MATCHING GIFT
RISING CITY COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$450MATCHING GIFT
FRIENDS OF THE DOMES INC
$250MATCHING GIFT
JUDGES & LAWYERS BREAST CANCER ALERT
$250MATCHING GIFT
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$250MATCHING GIFT
BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR PEACE INC (BPEACE)
$250COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD $250 FOR 25 HOURS OF SERVICE OR MORE TO AN ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATION (EMILY CHRISTNER - VIP INCENTIVE PROGRAM)
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100MATCHING GIFT
YOUTH APOSTLES INSTITUTE
$100MATCHING GIFT