** EDIT: We've recently changed our foundation name to the Early Education for Every Child Foundation (EEECF). **Do you love Little Reader? Are you looking for a way to give back and help others? Then this is the opportunity for YOU!
The Early Education for Every Child Foundation is seeking independent volunteers to help spread the word about early learning. 
"What is this opportunity about?"The Early Education for Every Child Foundation (EEECF) is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to sharing early literacy opportunities with underprivileged children. We provide in-kind software grants to schools, day cares, social service organizations, and orphanages in need around the world. Our Foundation also offers individual software sponsorship to families that fall within certain income guidelines or have children with special needs. We do not want a single child with a legitimate need for our programs to go without!
"Why do you need my help?"We need your help identifying people and organizations in your local community who can benefit from using Little Reader. If every parent on the BrillKids Forum helped us reach just one child or group in need, imagine all of the lives that could be changed through early literacy!
"What would I have to do?"We'd love for you to contribute as much as you are able! For some people, that may simply be raising awareness by referring people and organizations to the BrillKids Foundation website. But ideally, we are seeking committed individuals to serve as local guides who walk recipients through the application process from start to finish. Determine what groups or individuals in your community can benefit from using Little Reader.
Reach out by making a phone call or sending an email, and ideally arranging a meeting.
Meet face to face to explain the EEECF grant process and give a live demonstration of Little Reader.
Encourage the group or individual to fill out a grant application, even helping them complete and submit it, if necessary.
Communicate with other EEECF Team members regarding the status of their application.
Assist recipients with software installation to the best of your ability; refer them to our tech support forum as appropriate.
Help recipients become comfortable using Little Reader using hands-on instruction and directing them to online tutorials.
Collect testimonials in the form of photos, videos, or letters to be posted on the EEECF website (
www.eeecf.org).
Touch base with the program from time to time to encourage them and answer any questions.
And that's all! We will even provide the all of the necessary materials and information; you need only share it with prospective recipients and follow the step-by-step process.
"What kinds of groups and individuals qualify to receive grants and sponsorship, who should I be trying to reach?"Institutions and individual families can qualify for grants or sponsorship based on several factors, so take the following into consideration when identifying potential recipients.
1) Institutional Use - We primarily aim to help institutions serving low-income children and those with Special Needs. Preschools, elementary schools, daycares, orphanages, libraries, community centers, and similar facilities in need are eligible to receive grants specifically for institutional use.
2) Documented Financial Hardship - Families with documented financial hardship can apply for individual sponsorship. Applicants must provide a statement of why they feel BrillKids programs will be beneficial to their family and provide an overview of their current financial situation. Acceptable documents to verify low income status may include paystubs, unemployment benefits, food, healthcare, or housing assistance paperwork, and other similar documentation.
3) Documented Special Needs- Families of children with special needs can apply for individual sponsorship. Applicants must provide a statement of why they feel BrillKids programs will be beneficial to their child along with documentation verifying their child’s condition. Acceptable documents may include a letter from their doctor or similar medical paperwork showing a diagnosis. Special Needs sponsorships may fully or partially fund the purchase of BrillKids software, as each family’s financial situation is taken into consideration, as well.
Are you the parent of a child in need? Visit
www.eeecf.org and click “Sponsorship” to apply. Please note that retroactive sponsorships are not available at this time.
"I want to help out but I don’t have any experience with this sort of thing. Do I even qualify to volunteer?"Relevant experience helps of course, but it’s not necessary as long as you are willing to learn! However, volunteers must:
Have experience using Little Reader.
Have excellent communication skills.
Respect the privacy of sensitive information.
Represent the EEECF positively and professionally at all times.
Sincerely desire to help others and be motivated to jump right in!
"What’s in it for me?"This is an unpaid volunteer position, but some of the perks for dedicated, long-term volunteers are entitled to:
Printable EEECF Volunteer business cards
An official “EEECF Volunteer” Forum badge in your signature
Access to the exclusive EEECF Volunteer board on the Forum
The honor and privilege of helping change the lives of children through early literacy!
Interested in volunteering? Just private message Skylark/TeachingMyToddlers expressing that you want to join us. You can also post general questions and responses in this thread. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Volunteer with the Early Education for Every Child Foundation (EEECF)
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