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.
