Briefly describe this fundraising event:
This is a pledge-based reading incentive program that puts books into the hands of children and rewards them for reading, as well as benefiting the organization in the form of cash and/or books.

Organizing the event:
Students are challenged to read 300 minutes over a two-week period. They seek sponsors before starting and then collect the pledges after achieving their goal. Students are able to choose from more than 1,200 books that they would like for themselves. They typically keep 50% of pledge earnings in books.

Capital possibilities:
Book Bonanza: 50% in books to participating students, 60% in books to the classrooms and/or library, free book to participating students with no sponsor pledges.
Fund-Raiser Program: 50% in books to participating students, 30% cash given to organization, 20% in books to classrooms and/or library, free book for every participating student with no sponsorship pledges.

Degree of difficulty:
Very simple. Students read and choose books from a full-line catalog of Usborne Books based on how much in pledges they have collected. All paperwork is sent to the Usborne Books consultant to order the books. Books arrive in a few weeks and are handed out to the students.

Other suggestions or comments:
In our first attempt, our rural elementary school raised nearly $10,000 in pledges. The 190 participating students gained $5,000 in books they picked out for themselves and the library received $6,000 in brand new library edition books. It was a win-win situation!