How to Donate Textbooks to Native American Schools

Schools, libraries and community centers on Native American reservations and in heavily Native American communities often lack textbooks and other educational materials that are needed by their young people. Individuals and organizations with access to textbooks and GED preparation materials can make a positive difference in many Native American lives by organizing to donate these educational materials where they are needed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Packing materials
• Funds for advertising your book drive and shipping books

1. Collect as many useful textbooks, GED preparation guides and other educational materials as possible to make it worthwhile to donate and ship them to Native American schools.
2. Organize appropriate materials together by category and age group, then pack them in cardboard boxes strong enough to support heavy books.
3. Contact the Donor Relations line of the National Relief Charities (NRC) at [phone] to express your desire to donate textbooks for schools and programs supported by the NRC's Sioux Nation Relief Fund or Southwest Indian Relief Council.
4. Use the Geographical Index to the Tribes of the United States and Canada to get contact information for Native American tribes in your area (see Resources below). Click on your state and use the contact information to reach a nearby tribal organization.
5. Explain that you wish to donate textbooks and educational materials and ask for assistance in connecting with Native American schools, libraries or community centers that could make use of such donations.
6. Follow the guidelines that are provided to you to ship the textbooks that you wish to donate to Native American schools and programs.
7. Seek out local advocacy groups that work with Native American communities to open up other channels to schools, libraries and other programs that serve the Native American population.
8. Conduct a book drive on your campus or in your school district to harvest additional donations of textbooks and other educational materials. Spread the word about the importance of these donations to the aspirations of children and youth in Native American communities.
9. Raise funds from supporters of your efforts to help defray any expenses that you may experience in shipping or delivering educational materials to Native American schools and programs. Remember to save any and all receipts for tax purposes.

Tips & Warnings

• Be persistent in your effort to make connections with Native American schools, libraries or community centers. Although it is possible that your first calls might bring a skeptical response, the difference in making a positive connection sometimes just depends on getting the right person on the telephone.

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