11 years of creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time.

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Our Mission

To support the social, emotional and reading skills that are foundational for student success by advancing our literacy platform and mobilizing community volunteers.
Why? Fewer than half of Kansas City, Missouri third graders are reading on grade level. In many high-need schools, it’s fewer than 25 percent. Children who are not reading by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Lead to Read KC is addressing this challenge. Learn more >
Watch this short video to learn more about Lead to Read KC's mission and the impact of our program — and how easy it is to get involved!

What We Do

  1. Recruit mentors icon
    Provide reading and mentoring support to K-3 students attending high-need schools.
  2. School icon
    Provide individualized tutoring by certified teachers.
  3. GitHub icon
    Distribute books — and provide social-emotional support via author partnerships.

What's New

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Get Schooled: Tickets are now on sale!

Join us for our fourth-annual Get Schooled event on Saturday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m.! We’re taking over The North Club at Arrowhead Stadium for a fun, sports-themed evening to raise funds to provide reading and mentoring support to Kansas City children attending high-need schools. 

Your $125 ticket includes tasty cocktails, a sit-down dinner, entertainment and an awesome auction. Buy your ticket soon to have an opportunity to take an Arrowhead tour! (By reservation. Space is limited.) Learn more and buy your tickets today at GetSchooledKC.org. Past events have sold out.

Lead to Read KC in the news

Check out our recent articles! Lead to Read KC’s reading mentoring and tutoring programs were featured recently in The Kansas City Beacon. And, KC Studio Magazine just published an article about our Reading For Life author partnership program. You can view all our media on our In the News page.

Reading Is Everywhere(SM)

We have expanded our reach to get even more books into the hands of young readers! Our community partners now include more than two dozen social service agencies, hair salons, barber shops, restaurants and retailers — making books more accessible to children outside of schools and libraries. Learn more. 

Royals Community Partner Games

You can take your friends and family to The K all season long while supporting the children Lead to Read KC serves. Go to royals.com/communitypartners, and enter the Lead to Read KC promo code Read2022! to purchase your tickets for any Royals Community Partner Home Game. You get a discount on tickets — and $3 from each ticket will be donated to Lead to Read KC! Win-win! Learn more. 

Our Impact: Fall 2021

587

students received author visits

151

students received online personalized tutoring from a certified teacher

18

schools served

7,088

books distributed

366

students paired with a Reading Mentor

3,241

reading and mentoring sessions completed
Learn more >

Blog

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