The Buis Book Foundation (BBF)

Strategic Plan: 2025–2030

Legal Status: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation
EIN: 86-1874498
Address: 2070 Deans Landing Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-472-3097
Founder & CEO: Dr. Kirk Buis

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Executive Summary

The Buis Book Foundation (BBF) was created in 2021 to address a national literacy crisis by providing free, high-interest books directly to Title I elementary students. Unlike programs that assign books generically, BBF’s core principle is student book choice—we believe that when children choose what they want to read, they read more, enjoy it more, and improve more.

Our mission aligns with other leading literacy-focused organizations in promoting book access for underserved children. However, BBF’s distinctive approach is centered on student autonomy—giving kids agency in their reading journey.

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Key Goal (2025–2030):

To expand from two to five Title I elementary schools, providing 12 books per student per year and increasing reading proficiency through joyful, voluntary reading.

2025–2030 Vision:

• Expand sponsorship to at least five Title I schools by 2030

• Maintain a $40,000 annual fundraising benchmark

• Increase literacy outcomes as measured by standardized test scores

• Build long-term community and donor engagement through transparent impact reporting and grassroots involvement

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Mission Statement

To raise children’s literacy—one school at a time—by giving students books they choose, love, and read.

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Strategic Objectives (2025–2030)

Priority Area                                          Objective                                                              Metric of Success

Program Expansion                              Add two additional Title I schools                     5 total partner schools by 2030

Student Growth                                    Boost reading proficiency                                   Georgia Milestones scores

Fundraising                                           Sustain $40,000 in annual funding                      $10K growth per year in donations

Organizational Capacity                      Strengthen leadership and volunteer base        5+ new active supporters by 2027

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Proven Impact

Kimberly Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools)

BBF's longest-standing partner

• 5th Grade Proficiency:

  • 2023: 15.8% → 2025: 26.8% on the Georgia Milestones

These results confirm what leading literacy research shows: when students are given books they’re excited to read, they read more—and they read better.

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Program Overview

How it Works:

• BBF hosts two book giveaways per year at each school (December and May).

• Students choose 5 books in winter, 7 in summer — totaling 12 new books annually.

• All books are age-appropriate, culturally relevant, and based on student preferences.

• Implementation: BBF and school staff organize book fairs where students choose their own books

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Cost Efficiency:

• $36 per student/year

• A school with 350 students requires approx. $12,600 annually either through financial donations or book donations

 

Target Population

Students attending Title I elementary schools, who often lack access to books at home. BBF supports literacy during critical learning years and combats learning loss during winter and summer breaks, when access to reading material is most limited.

 

Organizational Structure

• CEO: Dr. Kirk Buis

• Board of Directors: Expanded in 2025 to include community and educational leaders

• Staffing: All-volunteer currently; scalable to include part-time support as funding allows

 

Fundraising & Partnerships

Current Revenue:

• $10,000+ in annual donations

• 2,000+ gently used books donated each year = ~$5,000 in cost savings

Fundraising Goals:

• Increase annual cash donations by $10,000 per year

• Secure $40,000/year to support 5 schools

Key Strategies:

• Leverage book drives from schools, churches, civic groups

• Build relationships with local businesses and philanthropic groups

• Engage funders aligned with child literacy

• Expand donor network via targeted campaigns led by Board Members Scott Haggard (public relations) and Natasha Malmstrom (digital engagement/book drives)

 

Evaluation and Impact Metrics

How We Measure Success:

• Standardized Testing: Georgia Milestones results tracked yearly

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• Participation Data: Number of books selected and read

• Partner Retention: Continued partnerships and school interest

 

Our vision is that joyful, voluntary reading becomes self-sustaining, with increased motivation, skill, and long-term literacy benefits.

Sustainability & Contingency Planning

 

If No Additional Funding Is Secured:

• BBF will continue supporting Kimberly ES and Britt ES

 

Growth Plan:

• Expand Board of Directors and volunteer leadership

• Gradually increase fundraising capacity to support new schools

• Evaluate need for part-time staff by 2028 to coordinate logistics and partnerships

 

Conclusion

The Buis Book Foundation is building a literacy model that works: student book choice + consistent access = measurable improvement. The strategic plan is grounded in evidence-based philanthropy: early access + community collaboration = long-term student impact. Over the next five years, BBF will scale responsibly, expand its reach, and deepen its commitment to the belief that when children own books they love, they become readers for life and discover not just how to read—but why.