According to ProLiteracy.com, 20 million Americans don't read well enough to understand a story written at an eighth grade level. This means they are unable to apply for jobs. To counter this startling statistic, the Walmart Foundation is giving $3.9 million to increase middle school student reading levels.


The money will be awarded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, City Year and WGBH Boston to support programs that help students who are below grade-level reading proficiency.

The nonprofits will put the funds to various uses - all aimed at improving students' literacy. The Boys & Girls Clubs will create reading spaces at their locations nationwide to help foster positive attitudes toward reading.

City Year plans to establish a literacy training academy where Americorp volunteers will tutor more than 45,000 public school students.

Finally, WGBH Boston will broaden its free online curriculum for teachers across the U.S. to help them better engage students who struggle with reading and writing.

Walmart's executive vice president, Raul Vasquez, announced the commitment, saying, "Walmart and the Walmart Foundation recognize that students of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Providing extra support will help students excel not only in school but in life."


This donation builds on the retail store's continued efforts to boost nonprofit fundraising toward education reform. Last year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation awarded $53 million to education programs across the United States.