Monrovia Reads, Inc., is proud to announce its selection as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by Blanca Rubio Assembly member, For t y Eight h District. Monrovia Reads, Inc. is one of more than one hundred nonprofits that was honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for outstanding contributions to the communities they serve. Now in its ninth year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides the opportunity for each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminated with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, June 5, 2024. The Board of Directors of Monrovia Reads is deeply humbled and thrilled to be recognized by Assemblymember Rubio.

Geoff Green, CEO of CalNonprofits, says, “Nonprofit organizations touch the lives of millions of Californians in ways that can often go unrecognized. From the childcare program to the soccer team, from the art class to the health clinic, and from the community organizer to the animal shelter – nonprofits improve the lives of all Californians and make our communities stronger. Nonprofits are also a key economic driver in our state, accounting for one in fourteen jobs. It’s important to recognize all they do.”

According to “Causes Count, a 2019 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the fourth largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue

and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 330,000 full-time jobs every year.

Monrovia Reads, Inc was formed in 2000 as a citywide effort focusing on literacy in the community. e mission of Monrovia Reads is to create and support an environment where reading is valued and resources are provided so that all community members have the skill and opportunity to read. Monrovia Reads donates books to all Monrovia Unified School District elementary children, along with ZooPhonics programs to Canyon Early Learning Center, Transitional Kindergarten teachers, and Interventionist teachers in all five elementary schools. In addition, the nonprofits’ mobile literacy van visits all Monrovia schools, and Monrovia Reads provides grants to teachers for books and scholarships to graduating Monrovia Seniors. nonprofit sector is the fourth largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue.