Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor
Support the right to read! Fight the forces behind book bans! Whether you’re facing a book ban or challenge in your community, or you want to join the effort to stop book banning with local or national efforts, this guide will help you find the organizations to whom your donations of time and money will make an impact.
Organizations that get banned books into readers’ hands
Open Books
Open Books brings LGBTQ+ affirming stories to school libraries, so that all students can feel seen.
Little Free Library
Expanding book access across the United States through fostering Little Free Libraries, providing grants in high-needs areas, and championing diverse books.
Learning for Justice
This project of the Southern Poverty Law Center provides educational materials and engagement to advance human rights for vulnerable populations including people identifying as LGBTQ+, disabled, migrants, women, prisoners, and juveniles.
Books Not Bans
This program, created by Fabulosa Books in San Francisco, sends LGBTQ+ books to LQBTQ+ organizations in conservative parts of America that have banned books with LGBTQ+ content.
Madison Reading Project
Free books and literacy resources to promote literacy and affirm and reflect the diversity of young readers in Madison, WI.
Annie’s Foundation
Education and advocacy around book bans in Iowa.
LGBTQ Book Love OH
Collecting LGBTQ+ books to put in Little Free Libraries in Ohio.
Organizations fighting book bans
Unite Against Book Bans
This is a national American Library Association initiative to empower readers to stand up to censorship, offering a vehicle for people to become involved, a challenge toolkit, and talking points for advocates (plus shareable graphics and merch!).
National Coalition Against Censorship
Battling censors and book-banning advocates for over 40 years, the NCAC offers a Book Censorship Action Kit to effectively fight challenges to books in schools.
PEN America
Protecting free speech worldwide through research, advocacy, campaigns on policy and on behalf of individual writers and journalists, awards and fellowships.
Office for Civil Rights
The United States Department of Education’s OCR receives and addresses reports of students whose First or Fourteenth Amendment rights are infringed on because books have been removed from their libraries or classrooms.
Office for Intellectual Freedom
The American Library Association’s OIF offers support to librarians, teachers, parents, students, and concerned citizens facing challenges, confidential reporting, free consulting services, and education.
Golden State Readers
Student-led advocacy group dedicated to fighting book bans nationwide through education and fundraising initiatives.
Every Library
A national PAC for librarians, supporting libraries against book banning, opposing illicit political interference, and offering pro bono consulting to librarians.
Freedom to Read Foundation
Protecting and promoting freedom of speech and the press, protecting access to information, safeguarding libraries’ rights, supporting librarians—through grants, direct participation in litigation, and eduction.
FReadom Fighters
This Texas-based organization was founded by librarians and provides resources for fighting censorship at the grassroots level.
Texas Library Association
This Texas-based organization works to protect intellectual freedom with censorship reporting, a helpline, reading lists for all ages, and other tools for supporting the right to read.
The Merritt Fund
The ALA’s effort to provide financial assistance to librarians facing discrimination or defending intellectual freedom.
Organizations promoting free speech, voting rights, racial justice, and fighting hate and extremism
First Amendment Coalition
Protecting and promoting free press, freedom of expression, and the right to know using education, advocacy, and litigation to advance government transparency and First Amendment protections for all.
American Civil Liberties Union
Advocacy and education campaigns on equality and human rights issues including voting rights, free speech, LGBTQ+ issues, racial justice, reproductive justice, and disability rights.
Southern Poverty Law Center
Monitoring and exposing hate groups and extremists, building racial justice and civil rights for vulnerable populations including people identifying as LGBTQ+, disabled, migrants, women, prisoners, and juveniles.
Vote Forward
Organizing grassroots volunteers to encourage fellow citizens in underrepresented communities to vote.
Black Voters Matter
Increasing power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities through community organizing, voter registration, policy, and advocacy.
Fair Fight
Georgia-based PAC fighting voter suppression, promoting fair elections, providing voter education, and encouraging voter participation.
Organizations doing investigative journalism and fact-based reporting
On the Media
A production of WNYC, OTM provides extraordinary coverage of journalism and free speech.
Your Local Public Radio
Such as KQED.