frequently asked questions
Q. How long has Traveling Stories been providing their services to kids?
A. Traveling Stories was born January 2010. For more information about our story visit the "Founder" section on our website.
Q. Is Traveling Stories a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization?
A. Traveling Stories is a 501(c)3 public charity, as determined by the IRS, and we are independently audited on an annual basis. Our tax ID number is 68-0461215. All donations made to Traveling Stories are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. A donation received through the mail or online will be followed up shortly with a thank you and tax receipt for your records.
Q. What percentage of the income received goes to actually promoting literacy and what percentage goes toward salaries and expenses?
A. One hundred percent of Traveling Stories' income currently directly to providing books to kids who have none and inspiring a love for reading. This is possible because at this point Traveling Stories is completely volunteer-run. However, our hope is to eventually be able to pay a small staff's salary so that it's possible for people to work full time for Traveling Stories.
Q. How large is your staff?
A. Our official staff consists of three people, but we receive frequent volunteer help from many others. We would never be able to get anything done without these volunteers!
Q. What exactly does the charity do? Do you build libraries or do you just stock already existing libraries?
A. Traveling Stories provides books to kids who have none and strives to inspire a love for reading everywhere. We do this in various ways and in multiple countries. Internationally we have found that many kids do not have access to books at all. We find schools and/or orphanages that want a library but cannot afford one on their own. Usually the school or orphanage already has a room for the library, they just don't have the books or staff to run it. We commit to providing books and raising money to pay for a librarian. We enter into a long term partnership with the school or orphanage. The directors of the school or orphanage are expected to communicate with us on a regular basis. Our objective in the United States is slightly different. Our strategy is to inspire kids to read by hosting interactive literary events that bring stories to life and connect kids with authors. We are also launching a partnership with teachers in low income neighborhoods in San Diego who want to build classroom libraries.
Q. What successes has Traveling Stories already had?
A. Since it's birth in 2010 Traveling Stories has launched libraries in Sudan and El Salvador. Locally we have orchestrated a children's literary event with three children's book authors, held a Story Telling Tent at the La Jolla Farmer's Market and participated in several book fairs in both San Diego and Los Angeles. Furthermore, we've donated supplies to set up a small library for a Veterans Tent.
Q. What are Traveling Stories' current and long term goals?
A. Our current goals include growing our existing libraries in Sudan and El Salvador and launching a Literary Arts Program with the World Beat Center in San Diego this Summer. Long term goals include launching more library projects internationally and expanding the Literary Arts Program into mobile events that can take place at local libraries. We also want to develop an online magazine where kids can post book reviews and their own writings. Whatever we do must invest in imaginations and inspire a love for reading.
Q. Is Traveling Stories a religious organization?
A. Traveling Stories is not a religious organization, meaning we are not affiliated with a certain church or ministry. We feel that our role in the community is best spent on education and development programs. While we do not focus on proselytizing, we allow all of our employees and beneficiaries to practice their personal beliefs.
Q. How can I donate to Traveling Stories?
A. You may send financial gifts to our headquarters in San Diego, CA. Please ensure any checks are designated to Traveling Stories. Our mailing address is:
Traveling Stories
8552 Holden Rd.
Santee CA 92071
Financial donations can also be made through PayPal on our website www.TravelingStories.org.
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