First Book Canada is a 4-star charity with High demonstrated impact. It has an A- grade for results reporting, which is above average. Its funding reserves are within Ci’s reasonable range and can cover seven months of annual program costs. For every dollar donated to First Book Canada, 91 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

A Charity Intelligence 2025 Top Canadian Impact Charity.

First Book Canada, founded in 2009, works with educators and community organizations to remove barriers to learning by providing books and educational resources to children in need. It focuses on children facing economic barriers, as well as Indigenous, racialized, newcomer, and other underserved communities. The charity reports that only 74% of Grade 3 students in Ontario met reading standards in 2025, while nearly one in three Grade 3 students in Nova Scotia read below grade level. Furthermore, First Book states that many schools in economically disadvantaged communities can only afford one new library book for every three children.

First Book Canada distributes books and educational resources through its First Book Canada Network, a community of more than 20,600 educators and professionals who work with children in need. Network members can access resources through three main channels: the Marketplace, Pop-Up Book Distributions, and the Book Bank. The Marketplace allows members to purchase new books and educational resources at discounted prices. Pop-Up Book Distributions provide free books at local events, where Network members can receive books to distribute to the children and families they serve. The Book Bank provides donated books and resources to members at no cost beyond shipping and handling.

First Book Canada spent $1.8m on its book program in 2025. It distributed more than 357,000 books and educational resources, with a market value of over $4.0m, reaching more than 178,500 children and youths across Canada. More than 1,500 members accessed the Marketplace in 2025, distributing over 94,000 books to more than 45,000 children. Pop-Up Book Distributions included more than 100,000 books at the Turn the Page event in Toronto, 45,400 in Niagara, 31,642 in Halifax, and 16,029 in Edmonton. The New Beginnings: Mini Libraries for Kids program distributed 16,000 books to 3,200 newcomer children across 27 schools and organizations. First Book also distributed more than 7,700 Indigenous resources and hundreds of French-language materials through the Marketplace in 2025.

First Book Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, which is a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program and administrative categories.

The charity had total revenues of $4.2m in 2025. It received $1.8m in donations, representing 43% of revenue and $1.7m in donated books, equal to 41% of revenue. First Book collected $660k in book sales from its Marketplace, reported under fees for service, which is 16% of revenue.

First Book Canada spent $1.8m on its programs, equal to 74% of its revenue (excluding donated goods). The charity recorded a surplus of $257k in 2025.

Administrative costs were $390k, representing 9% of revenue. First Book reports no fundraising costs in 2025. Total overhead spending was 9%. For every dollar donated to First Book Canada, 91 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

The charity held $1.1m in reserve funds (cash and investments) in 2025. These reserves can cover seven months of annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This is a charity update that has been sent to First Book Canada by Neela Jalilian on August 11, 2026.