Chicago non-profit named finalist in Toyota’s 100 'Cars for Good' program
Open Books promotes literacy in Chicago kids and teens. The non-profit has been selected as a finalist in Toyota's "Cars for Good" Program.
A Chicago-based non-profit has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota’s 100 "Cars for Good" program. The non-profit, Open Books, has a chance to win one of the 100 cars Toyota is giving away to 100 non-profits over 100 days. The organization was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide.
Each day, beginning May 14, 100 Cars for Good will profile five finalists at www.100carsforgood.com. Individual members of the public will be able to vote for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models. Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.
Open Books will be up for consideration on Sunday, May 27.
Open Books is an award-winning nonprofit social venture that operates a bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond. Dedicated to enriching lives through reading, writing, and the power of used books, the organization works with thousands of high-need, low-income students each year through its literacy programs. Support for Open Books' programs comes in part from its award-winning store, which holds more than 50,000 donated books.
Stacy Ratner, founder of Open Books, said the non-profit is excited about being a finalist.
“We’re grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase our mission to improve literacy throughout the city and hopefully win a car to help us increase our impact on Chicago Public School students,” she said.
According to Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Toyota has donated more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits across the U.S. over the past 20 year.
“At Toyota, we appreciate what a significant impact a new car can have for nonprofits nationwide,” he said.
100 Cars for Good is the first initiative to directly engage the public to determine how Toyota’s philanthropic donations are awarded.
For more information on Open Books and its efforts to win one of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good, please visit Open Book’s website at www.open-books.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter at @OpenBooks. For complete information on 100 Cars for Good and profiles of all 500 finalists, please visit www.100carsforgood.com.
Local residents are encouraged to support Open Books and their quest for a new Toyota car. If Open Books receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used to improve literacy throughout Chicago.