Author James Patterson donates more than $220 million to literacy
The thriller writer has funded over 1,000 scholarships and provided support to teachers, libraries and independent booksellers.
Thriller writer James Patterson has contributed more than $220 million to literacy and education, according to his official Giving Back page reported by the Times of India. His philanthropic work includes the endowment of over 1,000 scholarships at various colleges and universities across the United States.
The author's donations cover a wide range of the reading ecosystem. He has provided more than $50 million in grants and programmes for librarians, writers, authors and educators.
Patterson's scholarship programme includes significant support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), with more than 600 scholarships endowed at these institutions. These awards aim to assist students pursuing careers in public service, writing and teaching.
The philanthropy also extends to the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), which focuses on research-based reading instruction. Additionally, Patterson has given more than $3 million to support independent bookstores.
His stated belief is that reading changes lives and that better readers make better humans. The funding targets various stages of the reading journey, from classroom instruction to the stability of local bookshops.