2007
2006
2005
2004
2002/2003

The Ferst Foundation of Childhood Literacy
2007 Annual Report Highlights

• Received $1,384,800 in new contributions in 2007 including $204,168 in grants and nearly $10,000 in seed funding.
• To date, we have sent over 777,295 books and served over 51,204 children. In 2007 alone, 323,600 books were sent and we achieved a monthly registration level of 32,393 children.
• Expanded our presence to 49 Georgia counties including our newest additions in Baldwin, Forsyth, & Lincoln counties.
• Our 2007 Strategic Plan calls for expanding the program to achieve a monthly registration of 90,000 children by 2012 with an initial three-year goal of 90 participating counties by 2010.
• Our 2006 financial statements reflect our commitment to providing services to Georgia families, with 95% of our funding for Programs, and only 5% to General Administration and Fundraising.
• Maintained 9 active members on the Board of Directors with contacts and influence and committee members with expertise in the transition into a more governance Board for 2008.
• First Lady Laura Bush recognized our founder, Robin Ferst, and the success of the Ferst Foundation during an Atlanta luncheon.
• Dr. Stan DeJarnett, Superintendent of Morgan County Schools confirmed the effectiveness of Ferst in his county stating: “Since our collaboration with Ferst Foundation scores on our kindergarten readiness test have increased tremendously and our goal of 90% reading on grade level by the end of grade three has been met by the end of grade two! There is no doubt that the most influential factor for these remarkable achievements has been the books that come in the mail from the Ferst Foundation.”
• Jasper County Family Connection’s evaluation concluded that student participation in Ferst Foundation produced more consistent high post-test scores than any other early learning program.
• Served as the fiscal agent and managing partner of the Georgia Rural Library Initiative funded by an anonymous donor from the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Morgan, Hancock, Butts, & Putnam Counties are the current participants; each initially funded with $50,000. The initiative commitment includes matching funds of $100,000 with a separate $100,000 for scholarship support for participating community residents who pursue Education degrees and agree to return to teach in a rural Georgia community.
• Conducted our third annual Community Action Team Summit in Madison, GA with 55 people in attendance representing 24 different counties.
• We forged partnerships with the Department of Early Care and Learning, Georgia Industry Association, Georgia Press Association, Rotary, Kiwanis, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Reading Association, Family Connection Collaborative, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Hands on Georgia, and United Way.
• Increased our visibility with feature articles in the Southern Living, Southern Distinction, and Georgia magazines.
• Participated in Family Day at the Capitol, legislative receptions with Voices for Georgia’s Children & Georgia Industry Association, Georgia Public Broadcasting’s monthly Literacy Meeting, the Atlanta Charity Clays, and the 2007 Dollywood Homecomin’; presented at the Family Connection Partnership Winter Training Event, Children’s Services Annual Conference, and the District 6910 Rotary Conference.

The Ferst Foundation of Childhood Literacy
2006 Annual Report Highlights

• Received $864,507.47 in new contributions in 2006 including $50,000 from the J.B. Fuqua Family for salary support. Additional major donors include the Tull Foundation, Williams Family Foundation, Imlay Foundation, JW Fund, Artie & Lee Richards, and the Atlanta Charity Clays.
• Distributed over 453,695 books and served 32,144 children since 2000; in 2006 alone, 201,603 books were mailed ending the year with 21,441 registered children at the end of the year.
• Expanded our presence to 41 Communities including our newest additions in Clarke, Charlton, and Dawson Counties and an urban community in Decatur with College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center.
• Our 2004 Strategic Plan calls for implementing the program statewide by 2010. The initial three-year goal includes a total of 48 communities by the end of 2007. At the end of 2006 we are close to that goal and have 8 of the “targeted counties” up and running including Colquitt, Miller, Mitchell, & Thomas Counties.
• We received challenge grant funds from The Equity Group Georgia Division to support the Ferst program cost in four targeted SW Georgia counties as well as funds from the Williams Family Foundation to support further expansion in this region.
• Received a letter from Dr. Stan DeJarnett, Morgan County School System Superintendent, reporting that they have seen scores on their kindergarten readiness test increase from 46% ready to over 90% ready.
• 99% of participating families reported that the Ferst Foundation program was helpful in preparing their children for kindergarten, 98% utilize the Ferst Foundation Newsletter, and 96% reported that their children “excitedly” look forward to the arrival of the Imagination Library books.
• Received an Early Learning Strategy Report from Jasper County concluding all children who participate in just Ferst Foundation, school readiness scores improved by 15 points as compared to the control group with no known early learning programs. When aggregated, they found those who improved the most were students with developmental disabilities participating only in the Ferst Foundation program with improved readiness scores of over 35 points.
• Maintained 9 active members on the Board of Directors and organized Board Committees to assist with the governance, leadership, & stewardship of the Ferst Foundation.
• Raised $43,637.72 for the “seed” fund campaign designated specifically for startup support and book cost for new communities in SW Georgia and urban communities in the Atlanta area.
• Served as the fiscal agent and managing partner of the Georgia Rural Library Initiative funded by an anonymous donor from the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Morgan, Hancock, & Butts Counties are the current participants; each initially funded with $50,000. The initiative commitment includes matching funds of $100,000 with an additional $100,000 for scholarship support for local high school graduates who pursue Education degrees and agree to return to teach in rural communities.
• Replicated the above initiative to Putnam County for the fiscal year 2007.
• Conducted our second annual Community Action Team Summit in Madison, GA with attendance from 23 different counties. Workshops included Community Action Team logistics, brainstorming best practices, & roundtable discussions with a closing keynote address by Dr. Stan DeJarnett, Associate Superintendent of Morgan County School System and Ferst Foundation Board Member.
• Continued and established partnerships with Bright from the Start: State Department of Early Care and Learning; Rotary District 6910 & 6920, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Hands on Georgia, Lenox Square Bloomingdale’s, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Georgia Press Association, Teach for America, and the Georgia Industry Association.
• Increased our visibility with articles in several Georgia Press Association member newspapers; television exposure on WSB’s People to People; and through presentations at the following conferences and events: DECAL Bright Beginnings, Promising Futures conference, Certified Literate Community Partnership conference, Easter Egg Hunt at the Governor’s Mansion, Family Connection Partnership conference, Georgia Reading Association conference, Kiwanis state convention, and two regional Rotary Club conventions.
• Awarded the 2006 Celebrate Literacy Award from Georgia Reading Association for “outstanding contributions to promote literacy across the state of Georgia.”

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy
2005 Annual Report Highlights

• Received $354,409.35 in new contributions in 2005 including $50,000 from J.B. Fuqua for salary support. Georgia Pacific continued its support as our Charter Corporate Sponsor and the Atlanta Charity Clays again served as a major donor.
• Sent over 240,744 books since 2000; with 109,787 sent in 2005. Served 18,514 children this calendar year and achieved a 12,581 monthly registration level.
• Expanded our presence to 26 Counties including our newest additions in Grady, Stephens, and Henry Counties.
• Our 2004 Strategic Plan calls for implementing the program statewide by 2010. The initial three-year goal includes a total of 48 counties by 2007. At the end of 2005, we now have 4 of the 33 targeted counties up and running including Butts, Catoosa, Grady, and Taliaferro. In addition, we have organized Community Action Teams and received challenge grant funds from The Equity Group Georgia Division to initiate the Ferst program in three additional targeted counties (Baker, Colquitt, and Mitchell) in 2006.
• Received a letter from Dr. Patricia Stokes, Morgan County School System Superintendent, confirming that Morgan County students are coming to kindergarten ready to learn – 90% in the fall of 2004, compared to only 46% when we started in 2000.
• Maintained 9 active members on the Board of Directors and organized a separate Campaign Committee of 6 distinguished individuals to assist with the “seed” fundraising to provide startup support for the communities on our targeted growth plan.
• Partnered with Coxe Curry & Associates to create a formal Case Statement and initial “seed” fundraising strategy and Knockout Inc. to create the Investing in Young Minds; Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy $1 Million Seed Fund Campaign brochure highlighting the Ferst Foundation program and incorporating updateable insert pages containing current detailed organizational information for potential donors.
• Raised $40,500.00 for the “seed” fund campaign; $20,500.00 designated specifically for startup support (book cost) for new targeted communities.
• Served as the fiscal agent and managing partner of the Rural Library Initiative (formerly called the Morgan County Early Childhood Reading Initiative) funded by an anonymous donor from the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Morgan and Hancock Counties are the current participants; each initially funded with $50,000. The initiative commitment includes matching funds of $100,000 with an additional $100,000 for scholarship support for participating community residents who pursue Education degrees and agree to return to teach in rural communities.
• Replicated the above initiative to Butts County for the fiscal year 2006.
• Conducted our first annual Community Action Team Summit in Madison, GA with attendance from 17 different counties. Workshops included educational grant writing and fundraising sessions led by Frederick Wacker, Elizabeth Young, and Eric Dial.
• Solidified partnerships the State Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL); Bright from the Start initiative, Rotary District 6920, Education! Go Get It!, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Hands On Georgia, Lenox Square Bloomingdale’s, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and the Georgia Industry Association.
• Our 200,000th book was presented by Governor Sonny Perdue to a Carroll County participant.
• Increased our visibility with articles in Traditional Home Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta INtown Magazine, and The Athens Daily Herald as well as through presentations at the following conferences: DECAL (Bright Beginnings, Promising Futures), Certified Literate Community Partnership, Kennesaw Literacy, Family Connection Collaborative, Georgia Reading Association, and two regional Rotary Club meetings.
• Our Founder and Chair, Robin Ferst, received major awards from 11Alive and Traditional Home Magazine for her incredible vision and spirit of volunteerism.

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy
2004 Annual Report Highlights

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy
2002/2003 Annual Report

• Received $170,500 in new contributions in 2002 including start up money from Waffle House Foundation for John Hope Elementary School District and the Estate of E. Louis Gaudet for Greene County
• Received $115,000 in new contribution in 2003 including start up money from Dottie Fuqua for Washington County and from UPS Foundation for Jasper County
• Sent over 50,000 books since 2000
  Reached 85% of eligibility registration threshold in Morgan County
  Achieved 4,000 registration level
• Expanded our rural emphasis by adding Seminole, Calhoun, Greene, Hancock, Washington and Jasper Counties
• Began a pilot program in the John Hope Elementary School District in Atlanta and Heard Mixon Elementary in Covington to test program delivery methods in high density Metro Atlanta
• Completed development and distribution of our new comprehensive Parent's Guide
• Our new Executive Director started January 2003 and our Program Manager in February 2003
• Completed the High-Scope evaluation Study
• Implemented Community Action Teams (CATs)