Charity Information

Educators, librarians, parents, and college students involved in the Teen Book Fest help to support, promote, and celebrate the educational and recreational benefits of reading for pleasure. The book titles by the invited authors represent a broad spectrum of genres, reading and interest levels, and appeal to both boys and girls. Their works reflect the diverse backgrounds and life experiences of teens today, exploring universal themes from different periods and cultures through the lens of adolescence. Books are for sale on site for a special autographing session at the conclusion of the day where teens can meet and have personal interactions with the authors.

But beyond the book sale and the generous underwriting we receive from our sponsors, how does TBF keep this event free for all who wish to attend?

In 2012, the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our major sources of revenue are sponsorships and contributions which are deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. As a public charity, the organization is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, gifts, and grants from public and private sources. The corporation’s fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th. Costs for Teen Book Fest exceed $35,000 every year.

Substantial financial support, both monetary and in-kind donations of services, has been received from Friends of the Library groups, parent-teacher-student associations, community service clubs, professional associations, and local businesses. Some public and school librarians have coordinated fundraisers for us such as can and bottle collections and read-a-thons. Official “TBF” merchandise with the Festival’s logo is sold at the event, including T-shirts and tote bags. Many of our authors’ publishers cover travel and other expenses for the writers. Funds raised by TBF are used for publicity, support materials (e.g., posters and signage), and the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses for the visiting authors.

Please consider becoming a sponsor of the Festival or making a personal donation. In 2016, TBF became a Donor Designation Eligible Agency with the United Way of Greater Rochester. You can designate your United Way donor dollars (through your employer's payroll deduction program, for instance) by using our Donor Designation Number of 3338. Which ever way you are able to donate to TBF, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to our community, helping provide teens with an informative, inspirational, and unforgettable experience. Most importantly, you’ll be sharing the joy of books, encouraging teens to become lifelong readers. Thank you for considering this support!