An Interview With Dani Brzozowski, director of development, Open Books

FAST FACTS

Open Books
213 W Institute Place, Suite 305
Chicago, IL 60610

Phone: 312.492.4085

Web site: www.open-books.org

Annual operating budget: $350,000

Mission: “Open Books’ mission is to be the premier nonprofit bookstore, literacy community center, and volunteer corps dedicated to raising awareness about illiteracy, improving reading skills, and spreading the love of books in Chicago and beyond.”

Organization’s history: “Open Books was founded two years ago by Stacy Ratner and Becca Keaty. In the first year of Open Books’ operation, Stacy and Becca collected nearly 150,000 donated used books, which they stored first in Stacy’s basement and then in storage units. In the summer of 2007, Open Books set up shop in a River North loft and brought on Erin Walter, who heads the organization’s literacy programs. In less than a year, Open Books has served hundreds of children and adults through in-house programs alone. In conjunction with other local and national literacy organizations, Open Books has helped to serve thousands of other learners.”