2025 Annual Report

A Message from Our Leadership

“This year has been one of focus and intention for the African Library Project. This report offers a snapshot of the progress made together and the work being strengthened for the years ahead.

It reflects our commitment to transparency and careful stewardship with the community that makes this work possible.”

— Brandi Warren, Executive Director
Board Chair

“As we close the chapter on 2025, we celebrate more than 4,000 libraries created since our founding. Every milestone belongs to the partners, volunteers, and supporters who make this work possible.”

— Nontuthuzelo Nikiwe
Board Chair

Libraries and Books Delivered

In 2025, African Library Project continued working with school and community partners across several countries. Volunteers organized book drives, collected thousands of books, and helped send them to schools where reading materials are limited.

Ghana

  • 46 libraries created

  • 36,457 books collected

  • 28 book drive organizers

  • 6,810 students served

Uganda

  • 96 libraries created

  • 67,503 books collected

  • 84 book drive organizers

  • 59,154 students served

Malawi

  • 67 libraries created

  • 66,860 books collected

  • 70 book drive organizers

  • 28,620 students served

Kenya

  • 64 libraries created

  • 63,021 books collected

  • 79 book drive organizers

Across all partner schools and community libraries, more than 90,000 students were represented.

Across all partner schools and community libraries, more than 90,000 students were represented. •

Revenue and Expenses

The organization’s funding model combines unrestricted donations with shipping payments from book drive organizers. These resources help cover international shipping, library support, and operational costs.

Chart showing African Library Project revenue sources and expenses including unrestricted donations, shipping fee revenue, program expenses, staffing costs, and operational expenses.

Unrestricted Giving vs Shipping Fees

Donations provide the flexible funding needed to support operations, expand the program, and strengthen support for partner schools.

Pie chart showing African Library Project funding sources in 2025 with 62% unrestricted donations and 38% shipping fee revenue.

2025 Campaign Performance

Two focused campaigns helped fund library work during the year.

We Read Together, We Open Doors Together

  • $3,096.17 raised

  • 11 donors

Year End Campaign & 20 Year Anniversary

  • $2,880.90 raised

  • 11 donors

Bar chart comparing African Library Project fundraising campaigns and number of donors.

The The Role of Volunteers

Book drive organizers are the foundation of the program.

Volunteers across the United States collect books, organize drives, and coordinate shipments that supply partner schools with library collections.

Each drive represents months of planning, community engagement, and book sorting before books begin their trip overseas.

Looking Ahead

African Library Project continues working with educators and community leaders who want to create new libraries for their students.

Future goals include:

  • Expanding the number of partner schools

  • Supporting new book drives

  • Increasing unrestricted funding to strengthen operations

  • Sending more books to communities with limited reading access

Thank You to Our Supporters

Every library created through African Library Project exists because volunteers, donors, and educators worked together. Your support allows thousands of students to open a book, read new stories, and gain knowledge that supports their education.

Why Libraries Matter

Access to books allows students to practice reading, strengthen comprehension, and gain knowledge that supports their education.

Many schools in partner communities operate without classroom libraries. A single shipment of books can introduce hundreds of students to reading materials they would otherwise never see.

African Library Project works with school leaders to create libraries that remain active long after the initial shipment arrives.

Help Create the Next Library

You can support students by helping fund the creation of new libraries.