Capital Campaign – The Next Chapter
Danielle Wiggins of WKYC reported from our new home in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood. Get a peek inside the building.
Thanks to the overwhelming support for our Next Chapter Capital Campaign, we are thrilled to announce that the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank has officially purchased our new home!
More than $1MM in individual contributions helped make this dream a reality, and we are beyond grateful.
A special thank you to the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation for their generous $500,000 lead gift and The Higley Fund of the Cleveland Foundation for their incredible $100,000 contribution.
Located in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood, our new 24,000 sq ft office and warehouse will allow us to expand our impact, distribute even more free books, and transform into a true literacy hub for Cleveland.
We’re Not Done Yet—And We Need You!
Our Next Chapter Capital Campaign isn’t over yet! We still need your help to raise the full $2MM – about $300,000 more – to ensure our new space is fully accessible, welcoming, and ready to serve the community.
Your support will help fund:
- Accessible bathrooms so everyone can comfortably use our space
- A dedicated volunteer area to maximize community engagement
- New equipment to expand book distribution
And so much more!
With a goal of opening late summer 2025, we aim to cross the fundraising finish line by May 31, 2025. Every gift—big or small—brings us closer to making this vision a reality.
There’s a place for you in our story! Your support ensures that more children have books in their hands and a brighter future ahead.
Questions? Contact Natalie Friedl, Executive Director at 216.367.9009.
The Next Chapter
In 2024, we distributed more than 540,000 books and hosted more than 3,400 volunteers. Demand for volunteer shifts and for books outpaces what we can currently achieve in our space. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and foundations, we have purchased a larger, modern facility that will enable transformative growth in every area of our operations:
- Increased Book Distribution: With expanded capacity, we can distribute 50-75% more books to children across our community and inspire reading in the home.
- Expanded Volunteer Engagement: A larger space will allow us to increase volunteer opportunities by up to 75%, so that we can meet the book distribution needs of our partners and our community.
- Enhanced Community Partnerships: A larger space will allow us to deepen existing partnerships and establish new ones, amplifying our shared mission to improve literacy in Greater Cleveland.
Why the Next Chapter Matters to Our Community
Investing in the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank means investing in a future where every child has the tools to succeed. A book in the hands of a child is more than pages and words—it’s an opportunity for a brighter future.
Together, we can break barriers to literacy, strengthen our community, and create lifelong learners.
Contact: Natalie Friedl, Executive Director, natalie@kidsbookbank.org or 440-840-4857
Next Chapter Leaders – $25,000+
Bonnie Hagerman
Higley Major Gifts Fund at the Cleveland Foundation
Bob and Susan Immerman
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation
Debbie and Steve Joseph
Paul and Cookie Joseph
Judi and Steve Kovach
Albert and Audrey Ratner
Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation
William M. Weiss Foundation
Literacy Champions – $5,000+
Carol and Art Anton
Brian and Gretchen Colleran Foundation
Elizabeth Bates
Dick and Nancy Bennett, in memory of Stephen B. Bennett
Kate Bishop
Joe and Sue Corsaro
Karen Eagle
Deena and Dick Epstein
Betsy Figgie
Natalie Friedl
Lee and Peter Haas
Jeff and Stacie Halpern
Ron & Lydia Harrington Family Foundation
Jan Hammond and Ed Hemmelgarn
Sondra and Stephen Hardis
Janice and Arnold Hirshon
Becca and Neal Huntington
Richard and Lisa Immerman
Irving and Gloria Fine Foundation
Gina and Brian Jeckering
John J. and Frances E. Dwyer Fund at the Cleveland Foundation
Peter and Stephanie Johnson
Scott and Kim Joseph
Amy E. Kellogg
Ruth and Bruce Klotzman
Ellen Mattingly and Rick Knapp
Stephanie and Jared Miller
Iris Hollander November and Family
Donna and Joseph Pacchioni
Payne Family Giving Fund
Marlon Primes and Kathi-Howard Primes
Linda C. Smythe
Betsy and Fred Stueber
Anonymous (2)
Golden Book Society – $1,000+
Dan Barnett and Colleen Crawford
Lisa Belkin and Darrell Zielinski
Christine Cook
Linda and Ken Dery
Annie Ertle
David and Anne Fornari
Steve and Marilyn Garfunkel
Angela and BJ Grieve
Julius and Wendy Hess
Kendra Howley
Sarah Iammarino
Pinky Jean
Richard Knapp
Al Melchiorre
Edward and Marcy O’Connell
Sue and James O’Donnell
Angelo Olmeda
Tonya and Paul Passarelli
Teresa and David Podracky
Kevin and Alison Pulte
PwC
Jocelyn C. Ruf
Nick and Emily Schappacher
Amanda Schaub
Peter and Julia Shelton
Terry and Jamie Stoller
Hal C. and Rosanne G. Tolin
Estefany Rodriguez Ware and Julius Ware
Deborah Wilcox
Judy Young
Friends of Kids’ Book Bank – up to $999
Brandie and Brian Adams
Constance Alexander and Antonio Bohanon, in memory of Apollo
Betsy Allen
Jared Bacik
Katie Banchek
Corey Brady
Michael Bramson
Maura Brizovic
Judy Brody
Robert Brown
Carfagna Family-Magis Foundation
Kristen Castree
Joy and Gregory Coleman
Beth Darmstadter
Francine Demyan
Elizabeth Dery
Patti Dery
Jan Devereaux
Karen Doubrava
Christine Eadie
Darcy Edelman
Izzy Esler
Annette Fetter
Laurie Forbush
Ed George and Sharon Rusnak
Jody Griech
Jennifer Grieser
Sarah Guyuron
Kari Ewert-Krocker
William Exline
Paul Fantelli
Quartez Harris
Krystle Hayes
Scott Herman
Kevin and LuAnn Hinkel
Tanisha Jamison
Mitchell Joseph
Katie Juhasz
Kristine Kascak
Ira and Amy Kaplan
Martin R. Kolb and Sandra I. Kiely
Tami Kowit and Family
Ellen Leavitt
Jacqueline Lamb
Barry Liff
Gloria Liu
Heather Luckey
Lisa and Joshua Mayers
Sara McCarthy
Barbara Miller
Bianka Moore
Judi Naft
Erica Neuman
Stephanie Palmer
Laura Paszt
Eric Payne
Tara Pesta
Brontie Phillips
Katherine Readey
Edward Riehl
John Robertson
Sharon Rotblatt
Terrence and Carole Rounds
Laurie and Jeffrey Rozen
Jeffrey Ryder
Kristen and Bob Saada
Marcy Schwartz
Angela Schmitt
Lyndey Shelby
Andrew Smith
Judy Solganik
Lori Sonkin
Sarah Spannagel
Mike Spiegle
Jack Staph
Michele and Rob Sommerfelt
Andrea Thompson
Matt Weinkam
Katherine Wenham
Hyla Winston
West Park United Church of Christ
Marion Wolfe
FAQs
Why does the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank need a new home?
Safety Concerns
Our leased 5,500-square-foot warehouse presents significant safety challenges for staff, volunteers, and inventory. Incidents such as vehicle theft, stolen inventory, unwelcome visitors, and physical hazards highlight the need for a secure facility.
Limited Capacity
The current space restricts our growing operations, requiring off-site storage and limiting volunteer shifts and output. A larger facility will enable us to scale operations, improve inventory management, and expand collaboration with literacy partners.
Operational Inefficiency
Without dedicated office space, staff productivity suffers from distractions caused by volunteer activities. The lack of private meeting areas also hampers donor engagement and strategic planning.
Facility Challenges
Issues like a leaking roof, a faulty intercom system, and inconsistent temperature control have disrupted operations, including the cancellation of volunteer shifts.
Why did the board decide to buy rather than lease?
Long-Term Cost Savings
While buying a building requires significant upfront investment, it is more cost-effective over time. With a $2M capital campaign, CKBB will avoid mortgage or lease payments. Leasing a facility of the required size would strain operational budgets, as philanthropic and seasonal fundraising levels are unpredictable. A feasibility study confirmed donor and foundation support
for a capital investment over increased ongoing lease costs.
Special Accommodations
After reviewing over 20 properties, we chose a facility that meets our size, safety, parking, and logistical needs. Ownership ensures stability in expenses, avoids unnecessary property taxes, and provides a lasting legacy opportunity for donors.
Asset and Equity Building
Owning the building allows CKBB to build equity, creating a valuable asset for long-term stability and growth.
Control Over Space and Modifications
Ownership allows for customized renovations to better suit our mission, such as shelving, loading docks, and storage for vehicles and machinery. Our operations require a facility capable of managing over 50,000 books monthly, while also providing a safe, accessible environment for hundreds of volunteers.
Community Roots
This investment symbolizes our long-term commitment to Cleveland, resonating with stakeholders and donors who see CKBB as a vital, rooted asset in education and literacy.
How will the new location impact operations and volunteer access?
Although we value our current MidTown location, our stakeholders prioritized a facility that accommodates growing operations and offers a safe, comfortable environment. The new location, accessible from two highways, best meets these needs.
Our free delivery model and neighborhood-based strategy ensure continued service to all focus neighborhoods in Greater Cleveland, regardless of the location.
How will the $2M capital campaign work?
The campaign features 100% board participation, strong leadership and transparent, regular communication. We are asking Cleveland, the most philanthropic city in the country, to support a modest, one-time $2M capital campaign to secure a permanent home for literacy in our community.
What is the timeline?
Our board is committed to completing this project without financing. The goal is to raise $1.6MM by the end of February 2025, followed by additional efforts to meet the full $2MM campaign goal.
Are there naming opportunities?
Each naming opportunity ensures a lasting legacy, enriching the lives of Cleveland’s children by giving them the gift of reading for years to come.
Building: $750,000+
Lobby/Foyer: $500,000+
Volunteer Activity Center: $500,000+
Warehouse: $250,000+
Volunteer Lounge: $100,000+
Conference Room: $100,000+
Make Your Space (Book Nook, Comfy Corner, Volunteer Stations, etc.): $75,000
Reading Level Sponsor / Bookcase (multiple): $50,000
Bookshelves / Row (multiple): $25,000
Literacy Champions Gifts of $5,000 or more will receive special recognition.
We need to raise $1.6MM by the end of February 2025.
All gifts are deeply valued, warmly welcomed, and thoughtfully acknowledged.
How can I help?
Be part of something transformative! Your gift to the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank will ensure every child in Greater Cleveland has access to books at home. Together, we can foster a love of reading that will inspire generations to come.
What's different about the new building?
