Words affect us each and every day of our lives, and the ability to read and write gives us control over the power of these words. It also opens the door to a whole new universe of understanding. Every time braille opens the door to the universe for a braille reader, National Braille Press is there to give shape to that universe through the publications and information we provide.
Through the support of our donors, National Braille Press is able to publish materials that are responsive to blind people's needs: children's books, adolescent novels, school textbooks, computer manuals, cookbooks, health guides, and poetry.
All of our book publishing and recent initiatives to strengthen the promotion of early braille literacy are heavily dependent on philanthropic support. A fundamental policy of the National Braille Press is that blind people may be expected to pay for the books they receive, but that they should not be asked to pay more than sighted people pay for the same materials. Thus, our braille publications are sold at no higher than standard retail prices, and sales revenues cover only a fraction of the publishing expense.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows is a good example of our need for philanthropic support. It will cost $60,000 to produce the first 900 copies of this 10-volume braille edition. So, while each volume requires nearly $70 to create, the reader pays only the regular retail price of $34.99. Support from donors fills this gap and makes such a book possible in braille.
We have discovered that many of our generous donors enjoy the opportunity to sponsor particular publications and see the tangible results of their philanthropy. Our Book Sponsorship Program, which recognizes major donors -- acknowledging the donor's name on the title page of the sponsored book -- has grown from six sponsors in 1997 whose combined gifts of $41,000 made six children's books possible, to 26 sponsors in 2003 whose combined gifts of $226,000 made 26 books possible.
Sponsoring one of our braille books is a tangible way of seeing the value of your philanthropy. We would be honored to talk with you about linking a contribution of $7,500 or more to a specific braille publication. Make your gift online for $7,500 or more and we will email you a list of titles available for sponsorship. Contact us if you would like to discuss Book Sponsorships in more detail.
The Book Sponsorship Program provides a unique way for National Braille Press to acknowledge exceptional generosity. All gifts are fully tax deductible to the extent provided by law.