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Imagine not being able to properly understand your textbooks, or written instructions from your boss, or the dosage precautions on your medication -- or worse, your child's medication. Low literacy hurts individuals and their families and costs society millions of dollars through lost productivity and a greater need for social, medical, educational, and correctional services. For more on the costs of low literacy, see this NPR report.

Captioning is one of the most cost effective ways to increase literacy in a broad segment of the population. Captioning is available for free on a majority of TV shows in the US. Turning it on takes seconds. It's simple, it's quick, it's free -- and it works. Same-language subtitling is already being used to great effect by PlanetRead in India -- so much so that they won the first ever International Library of Congress Literacy Award in 2013. Why not harness its power here in the US as well?

How we use your donations

As an all-volunteer organization, Captions for Literacy has almost no overhead, which means that we put as much of our funding as possible into spreading the word about captioning and literacy. At this time, our focus is purchasing advertising in publications aimed at teachers and school administrators.

Make a donation through PayPal

We accept donations through PayPal. You don't have to have a PayPal account to donate -- you can use your credit card without creating an account.

Because we are a registered 501(c)(3), your donation is tax deductible in the United States. For donations under $200, the email receipt you receive from PayPal will function as your tax receipt. Donations which are $200 or more will receive an email acknowledgment from us that can be used for tax purposes.

If you work for a company that matches charitable donations, you may be able to double your donation through their program.

To donate, please click the Donate button below. You will then be taken to PayPal where you can enter an amount and complete the transaction. Any amount is appreciated, no matter how small!

Send a check

Donations by check are also welcome! Checks should be made out to Captions for Literacy and sent to Captions for Literacy, 41 Gibbens St., Somerville MA 02143. Donations over $200 from US residents will be mailed a receipt that can be used for tax purposes.

Donate a percentage of your online purchases for free

Shop online? If you sign up for iGive, a percentage of your purchases at over 1300 popular online stores will go to Captions for Literacy -- at no extra cost to you!

Give through Pledgeling

Pledgling makes it easy to donate to US charities from the web or your smartphone. New users get $5 to give to a charity of their choice! Best of all, Pledgling is free for both donors and charities. Head to our Pledgling profile to make a donation.

Give reward points or money through the American Express Members Give program

Members Give allows you to use any American Express¨ Card to make a donation to Captions for Literacy. Donations can be made in dollars or, if you are enrolled in the Membership Rewards¨ program*, you can redeem your points for a donation.

Your dollar donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and you will receive an immediate e-mail receipt that meets IRS requirements as a record of your contribution. The site also enables you to set up recurring donations so you can spread out your donation over time. If you are enrolled in an American Express Loyalty program, you can earn valuable rewards with virtually every dollar you donate.

* Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Dollar donations are tax deductible the full extent allowed by law however, donations of Membership Rewards points are not tax deductible. Please note: American Express will deduct a transaction fee of 2.25% from the donation to cover processing costs. The charities will receive your donation amount, minus the 2.25% American Express processing fee, from our partner JustGive. This transaction fee is similar to or less than the processing fee the charity would pay if you were to charge your donation with your American Express¨ Card through any other means (i.e., over the phone to the charity, through the charity's website, etc.). This transaction fee only applies to monetary donations placed on your American Express¨ Card and not to donations that are made via the redemption of Membership Rewards points. Dollar donations are tax deductible the full extent allowed by law however, donations of Membership Rewards points are not tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor on the deductibility of a donation of Membership Rewards points.

Make a donation through your Discover card

Through the Discover Giving program, you can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual donation.

TURN ON CAPTIONING TO TURN ON READING