ABC Life Literacy Canada

Creative fundraising campaigns help support literacy programs and resources

(Toronto, ON – March 10, 2011) - For the past 20 years, ABC Life Literacy Canada has been helping Canadians improve their literacy skills and lead fully engaged lives. Two years ago, while the economy was suffering a downturn, a new creative approach to fundraising was implemented to help secure much needed funding.

Letters for Literacy was born in 2010 with the express focus of selling letters of the alphabet to Canadian companies. The premise was simple, and while companies could feel good about owning one of 26 coveted letters, ABC Life Literacy Canada could continue to provide programs and resources to adult learners across the country.

“As a non-profit organization, it is important to find ways to generate the few extra dollars we might need to ensure a program or resource remains available to Canadians,” commented Margaret Eaton, President of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “We are lucky to have a creative team that sees beyond the traditional to see how we can hook corporate Canada to the literacy cause. Granting ownership of a piece of the alphabet means they also own a piece of the solution to helping Canadians improve their literacy skills.”

To date, companies from across North America have purchased 11 letters through Letters for Literacy with three new sponsors and eight returning players among them. Counted among the new supporters are Homewood Suites by Hilton who purchased the letter “F” (for Family Travel) when their first choice, “H”, was already taken.

This unique way of thinking about fundraising was not a first for ABC Life Literacy Canada who, for the past 10 years, has also run an annual media sale as a way to generate funds.

“I have been participating in the ABC Media Sale since its inception and have found it to be a fantastic way to grab some great deals while supporting a very worthwhile cause,” stated Ken Gruber, Delta Chelsea Hotel. “Truly a win-win!”

On May 2, 2011 the 11th Annual ABC Life Literacy Media Sale will get underway with companies from across Canada able to purchase attractive advertising space at 65% off the regular rate card price. Media partners can currently go online to make their donation of ad space to ABC Life Literacy Canada while those interested in purchasing the discounted ad space can register to receive their special login and password for the sale.

View a complete list of Letters for Literacy sponsors and read In Their Own Words why these companies are involved in the program.

To register for the ABC Life Literacy Media Sale, click here.