First Book
Founded in 1992, First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise building a world where all children have access to a quality education. We are on a mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed by removing barriers to equitable education because education transforms lives.
First Book at a glance
In short: First Book gave $5.6M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $2.8M), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,561,490
- +5868.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $2,780,745
- Median grant
- $2,780,745
- Total assets
- $35,985,039
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who First Book funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ashoka ($2.8M). Together the top 2 received $5.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 22 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How First Book gives
- Giving grew 24618% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22K (2020) to $5.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $5.6M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ashoka Arlington, VA | Youth Empowerment | $2,780,745 |
| Teach for All New York, NY | Youth Empowerment | $2,780,745 |
Ready to take the next step with First Book?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $35,985,039 | $92,324,711 | $93,812,596 | $5,561,490 | 2 | $218,358 |
| 2023 | $35,649,333 | $85,122,503 | $88,386,667 | $93,180 | Total only | $172,832 |
| 2022 | $38,860,607 | $104,666,814 | $120,387,234 | $310,000 | 18 | $39,654 |
| 2021 | $78,359,379 | $119,219,618 | $102,941,147 | $22,500 | 1 | $6,788 |
| 2020 | $36,886,545 | $126,947,043 | $133,980,886 | $21,683 | 1 | $4,180 |
| 2019 | $42,783,579 | $95,484,650 | $101,137,707 | $31,000 | 2 | $6,398 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About First Book
Based on IRS filings
First Book is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $36.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $5.6M. Net investment income was $218K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
First Book is led by Kyle Zimmer, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2019); 12 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kyle Zimmer
President & CEO
CEO & Director → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$218K (2019) → $215K (2024)
Staci Harris
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
Senior Director & Marketing → Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $130K (2024)
Christopher Cerf
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Kehela Sherwood
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Franklin
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Libby Doggett
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Bernadett
Director
Acting Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Artie Starrs
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Thompson Payton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lidia Soto-Harmon
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Manish Madhavani
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Stokes
Chief Administrative Officer
CAO Administrator → Chief Administrative Officer, 2021
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$219K (2019) → $227K (2024)
Elizabeth Herling
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Vice President & Marketing → Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 2024
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$151K (2021) → $162K (2024)
Christopher Stine
Senior Vice President
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$214K (2022) → $212K (2024)
Dana Bond
Executive Vice President & Strategic Alliances
Senior Vice President Corporate Partnerships → Executive Vice President & Strategic Alliances, 2024
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$179K (2022) → $215K (2024)
Enrique Pinilla
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$168K (2023) → $134K (2024)
Lori Prince
Vice President & Ecommerce
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$119K (2023) → $123K (2024)
Lynnette Appling
Vice President & Human Resources
Vice President → Vice President & Human Resources, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$152K (2023) → $150K (2024)
Wendy Lin
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$92K (2023) → $215K (2024)
Etienne Veber
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$49K (2024)
Sarah Sugarman
Senior Vice President & Network Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Former officers (23)
- Former: Becki Last (2019–2023) — Chief Programming Officer
- Former: Julie Fortenbery (2021–2023) — CFO
- Former: Lita Anderson (2023) — Senior Director & Strategic Allian
- Former: Randy Martinez (2023) — Director
- Former: Carey Palmquist (2019–2022) — Chief Operating Officer · Filing note: Thru 51322
- Former: Chequan Lewis (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Alison Morris (2022) — Sr.director & Publisher Relatio
- Former: Candace Radoski (2022) — Vice President & Non Profit Partner
- Former: Lisa Soto-Harmon (2022) — Director
- Former: Paula Neirathru (2022) — Vice President & Finance
- Former: Chris Stine (2019–2021) — Senior Vice President of It
- Former: Christa Evans (2020–2021) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Katherine Dean (2020–2021) — Senior Director It
- Former: Kisha Dimbo (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President Strategic Alliances · Filing note: Thru 9302021
- Former: Paula Neira (2020–2021) — Vice President & Finance
- Former: Debbie Hubley Ozanus (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jane Robinson (2019–2020) — CFO
- Former: Paul Whetsell (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lisa Herling (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Bryan Straathof (2019) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Chandler Arnold (2019) — COO
- Former: Georgia Gillette (2019) — Vice President
- Former: William Matassoni (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $227K, to Daniel Stokes (Chief Administrative Officer). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about First Book
How much does First Book give each year?
First Book gave $5.6M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $93K in grants paid.
How large is First Book?
First Book reported $36.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $92.3M.
What is First Book?
First Book is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. It holds $36.0M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does First Book operate?
First Book has awarded grants in Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia.
What is First Book's EIN?
First Book's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1779606. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Book's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in District of Columbia
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Sobrato Family Foundation
Mountain View, CA
The foundation supports economic opportunity and education, including small-business access, workforce and college pathways, English learners, supportive housing, and community-based organizations serving people facing challenges. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $5 million, with a median of $75,000; its focus is Silicon Valley, though most grant dollars went to California. The filing says applications are sent directly and nonprofits can use an online form to receive funding-opportunity information; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$886.3M
Grants
526
Total Given
$69.3M
Skoll Fund
Mountain View, CA
The Skoll Fund supports social entrepreneurs and innovators advancing bold, equitable solutions, including work in health, climate and the environment, agriculture, education, and civic participation. In 2024, grants ranged from $6,000 to $4.5 million, with a median of $75,000, and went to organizations in multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$945.8M
Grants
147
Total Given
$51.7M
NCRC Community Development Fund Inc
Washington, DC
NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.6M
Grants
2,666
Total Given
$149.3M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits working across areas such as economic opportunity, education, health, arts, and human services, with an emphasis on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it generally funds organizations serving DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia communities; it offers scheduled open competitive grant rounds as well as invite-only opportunities.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from First Book's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
First Book down — hundreds of funders to go?