Improving Literacy in U.S. Communities

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 21, 2021 /3BL Media/ – International Paper (NYSE: IP), the world’s leading producer of renewable, fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper, has made a $20,000 donation to Reading Is Fundamental to support national literacy efforts. The donation is above and beyond the company’s recurring $500,000 annual commitment to support the organization’s Books for Ownership program, which distributes free books and reading resources in International Paper communities.

The company’s latest donation is based on an employee matching gift program and provides additional funding for Reading Is Fundamental’s matching grant program supporting its race, equity and inclusion initiative and related programmatic work. The matching grant program aims to leverage the power of reading to drive systemic change and build capacity locally by matching local dollars to bring books and literacy resources to under-resourced children This support is just one example of International Paper’s employee engagement and commitment to the company’s signature causes, which include education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief and initiatives that improve our planet.

“International Paper’s generous support of Reading Is Fundamental is transformational for children across the country,” said Alicia Levi, President & CEO of Reading Is Fundamental. “We are proud to partner with an organization that is not only committed to children’s literacy but also addressing systemic inequities in our education system that have left so many of our communities under-resourced and widened the achievement gap between white children and children of color. With International Paper’s partnership we can ensure books and reading resources are provided to communities across the country.”

“We are committed to mobilizing our resources to address critical needs in the communities where our 48,000 employees live and work,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, senior manager, Community Engagement, International Paper and executive director, IP Foundation. “We commend the essential work of Reading Is Fundamental to improve literacy and future success of children in our nation.”

In 2018, International Paper proudly supported RIF’s Books for Ownership program with the goal of providing books and resources to children and families in high-need communities across International Paper’s business footprint. Since then, the company’s commitment to literacy has impacted more than 70,000 first-grade students providing 230,000 books and literacy materials in more than 390 schools in 13 states in the U.S. International Paper’s annual funding will continue to support of the Books for Ownership program.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ approximately 48,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2020 were $21 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.

About Reading is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to a literate America by inspiring a passion for reading among all children, providing quality content to create impact, and engaging communities in the solution to give every child the fundamentals for success.  As the nation’s largest nonprofit organization for children’s literacy, RIF has provided more than 422 million books to 96 million kids in all 50 states, inspiring generations to read, learn and grow.