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KPMG’s Family for Literacy
KPMG’s Family for Literacy
We are committed to our communities.
KPMG’s Family for Literacy is a unique program that draws on
the depth of talent and commitment of the entire KPMG family
to help eradicate illiteracy in our communities.
Giving back to the communities in which we live and work is one
of KPMG’s Values. Throughout the world, KPMG partners and
employees donate countless hours and resources to better their
communities.
As a firm, our focus is on youth and education, helping to ensure
that all children have access to opportunities to acquire the skills
they need to become successful adults. To that end, in 2007, we
asked our spouses, Susan and Beth, to engage our partners and
employees; retirees, interns, and alumni; and their families and
friends in making a difference in literacy in our communities. As
a result, we established KPMG’s Family for Literacy.
In collaboration with First Book, a nonprofit organization with
nearly two decades of outstanding accomplishment in delivering
nearly 70 million new books to low-income children, KPMG’s
Family for Literacy has enabled our extended KPMG family to
visit classrooms and distribute more than 1 million books—in
most cases, the first new book—to girls and boys in elementary,
middle, and high schools, as well as literacy and reading
programs across the country.
Since its inception, the impact made by KPMG’s Family for
Literacy program has been far reaching—in addition to touching
the lives of thousands of children in the United States, Family
for Literacy has been recognized by the Points of Light Institute,
which named KPMG its Connect America 2008 Partner of the
Year, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which recognized
KPMG with its Corporate Stewardship Award.
The most meaningful honor the program has received, however,
is the feedback from our employees, partners, and their families,
on what their involvement in KPMG’s Family for Literacy has
meant to them.
This brochure will provide you with more information on
KPMG’s Family for Literacy, the importance of increasing literacy,
and how you can join us in making a difference in your own
community.
Tim Flynn
Chairman
John Veihmeyer
CEO
KPMG’s Family for Literacy Local Offices
• Atlanta
• Minneapolis
• Stamford
• Charlotte
• Montvale
• St. Louis
• Chicago
• New York
• Tysons Corner
• Denver
• Philadelphia
• Detroit
• San Francisco
• Washington,
DC
• Houston
• Short Hills
Get involved!
• Sign up local schools, existing literacy programs, and other
groups that serve low-income children with First Book so
they can access new books.
• Volunteer for local reading and book distribution events.
• Fund book purchases online by visiting KPMG’s Family for
Literacy Marketplace at www.firstbook.org/kpmgfamily.
• Join your local office Family for Literacy steering committee
or an existing First Book Advisory Board in your own
community to assist with fund-raising, host reading parties,
or organize book distributions.
To learn more about KPMG’s Family for Literacy, or to get
involved, contact KPMG’s National Community Involvement
team at: us-familyforliteracy@kpmg.com.
You can also visit http://hrweb.us.kworld.kpmg.com/hrweb/
community/family_for_literacy.asp or www.kpmgcampus.com/
family_for_literacy/family_for_literacy.shtml.
For more information on First Book, visit www.firstbook.org.
© 2009 KPMG LLP, a U.S. limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network
of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative. All rights
reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. 21279NSS
KPMG and the KPMG logo are registered trademarks of KPMG International, a Swiss
cooperative.
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KPMG’s Family
for Literacy
KPMG LLP
The Importance of
Reading and Literacy
Literacy is the foundation of learning and has a profound effect
on a child’s success in school and life. In early childhood,
reading enhances cognitive developments; improves writing,
grammar, and spelling skills; and exposes children to a wide
range of subjects.
Research has shown that the only behavioral measure that
correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of
books in the home. A child must have access to a variety of
reading materials to grow and develop into a strong reader.
The Issue
The Implications
The Solution
The majority of children from low-income families have no books
in their homes or classrooms, and direct access is extremely
limited. These children have far fewer literacy and language
experiences at home and enter school at a disadvantage.
The United States faces the challenge of preparing students
to meet workplace demands in an increasingly complex,
technology-based global economy. Employers are reporting
deficiencies in reading and writing, and other key skills
necessary for successful job performance. The readiness of
new workforce entrants needs improvement.
KPMG’s Family for Literacy provides children from low-income
families with their own new books—and in many cases, their
very first book.
“Encouraging children to read
is absolutely crucial to their
development and future
learning potential. First Book is
a world-class organization with a
compelling mission and 17-year
record of accomplishment.
Together we will open new
worlds of possibility for children
who need books in their lives.”
— Timothy P. Flynn, Chairman, KPMG LLP
According to First Book:
Since its inception in 2007, KPMG’s Family for Literacy has
established chapters in 16 key KPMG offices, and distributed
more than 1 million new books to low-income children in 80
communities across the country.
• A recent study found that on average, there is just one
book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods
compared with 13 books for every child in middle-income
neighborhoods.
KPMG’s Family for Literacy harnesses the strength and
commitment of KPMG’s partners and employees, and is open to
their spouses, significant others, children, and other relatives, as
well as KPMG alumni, retirees, and interns across the country.
• About 54 percent of fourth graders eligible for school lunch
programs scored below basic reading proficiency for their
grade level.
The result is an extended family of volunteers working together
to impact the education of these children from the very start,
laying the foundation for their future success while helping to
eradicate illiteracy in the United States.
• Over 85 percent of juveniles in the juvenile court system
are functionally illiterate.
• Fourth grade literacy rates are used to project future prison
needs in California.
• More than 80 percent of the pre-school and after-school
programs serving low-income families have no books at
all for the children they serve.
“We are continually amazed by the time, talent, and energy that
the greater KPMG family gives to combat childhood illiteracy.
It is nothing short of breathtaking that KPMG’s Family for
Literacy has successfully distributed more than one million
books since its inception just two years ago. Through the
generosity of our KPMG family across the country, we are
opening the future for thousands of children with the magic
and power of books.”
– Susan Flynn and Beth Veihmeyer,
Co-founders, KPMG’s Family for Literacy