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Books For Africa

A Saint Paul, Minnesota nonprofit that collects donated textbooks and library books and ships them by sea container to partner schools and libraries across Africa, sending more than 65 million books since 1988.

Books For Africa has shipped more than 65 million donated books to all 55 African countries since 1988, about 25,000 books per sea container.

You give directly to Books For Africa. randomcharity.com takes $0 and never touches your money.

What Books For Africa does

Books For Africa collects donated textbooks and library books in the United States and ships them to schools, libraries and community groups across Africa. Tom Warth founded it in 1988 after visiting a library in Jinja, Uganda, whose shelves held only a few old, worn books. He teamed up with Minnesota publishers, booksellers and librarians around one idea: send good books that would otherwise be thrown away to children who need them.

The group is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Books are gathered at warehouses in St. Paul and Marietta, Georgia (per Wikipedia), with help from more than 9,500 volunteers. The books then travel by sea container to partner organizations in the receiving country, who distribute them locally. Books For Africa says it has shipped more than 65 million books to all 55 African countries since 1988. It also sends digital books loaded on computers and e-readers.

Donors can give books or money. Cash mostly pays for shipping: the organization says a 40-foot container of about 25,000 books costs $11,500 to send, not counting port and customs fees. It holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

Key facts

  • Has shipped more than 65 million books to all 55 African countries since 1988 (BFA homepage)
  • In its latest reported year (the homepage doesn't say which), it shipped more than 2.5 million books worth over $19 million to 33 countries, plus more than 325,000 digital books (BFA homepage)
  • A full 40-foot sea container carries about 25,000 books; BFA puts the cost at $11,500, not counting taxes, port or customs charges (BFA donate page)
  • Relies on a large volunteer base: more than 9,500 volunteers, per its homepage

Before you give

  • Besides one-time gifts, the donate page offers monthly, quarterly or annual giving, and has separate options for stock, donor-advised funds, memorial/honor gifts and estate gifts.
  • Donors can also give books directly or fund a specific shipment project (booksforafrica.org/donate).
  • Card gifts have a $5 minimum, and donors can choose to cover the 3% transaction fee.

Common questions

Is Books For Africa a legitimate charity?

Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 41-1627391, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 4 of 4 stars; Candid: Platinum Seal of Transparency. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.

Are donations to Books For Africa tax-deductible?

US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Where does Books For Africa work?

Books For Africa works in Africa (all 55 countries). It is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

How do I donate to Books For Africa?

Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Books For Africa's own donation page on booksforafrica.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.

Sources

  1. booksforafrica.org/
  2. booksforafrica.org/donate/donate-funds.html
  3. booksforafrica.org/about-bfa/founders-story.html
  4. charitynavigator.org/ein/411627391
  5. guidestar.org/profile/41-1627391
  6. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_for_Africa

Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.

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