Announcing Startup Santa 2017

For the third year, we’re asking for your help in a state-wide children’s book drive where Utah companies compete against each other to see who can donate the most books and support childhood literacy programs for children living in low-income families.

Last year, the Startup Santa book drive exceeded even our wildest expectations — nearly 100 companies participated, donating over 87,000 books (a value of $437,000) to boost childhood literacy programs for kids living in low income families.

This year, we’d love to do better.

For the third time, we are joining with United Way and Salt Lake Chamber to officially announce Startup Santa, a state-wide children’s book drive where Utah companies compete against one another to see who can donate the most books and support childhood literacy programs for children living in low income families.

2/3 of Utah children living in low-income families and attending third grade do not read at a proficient level. With a ratio of 1 book per 300 children in low income families, we wanted to help solve this problem through a book drive that put more books in the hands of Utah’s youth. How can you get involved? Good question, Brad.

1. Sign your company up on the Startup Santa website.
2. Donate books and/or money towards supporting childhood literacy programs.
3. Sign-up to read at a local elementary school.
4. Follow the company leaderboard.
5. Help us spread the word on social media using #startupsanta.

Startup Santa will kick-off with the Startup Santa Tailgate on November 7 (11:30am-2:30pm) at Rice Eccles Stadium. It’s a great chance to donate books, boot some field goals, and wonder what has gone wrong for Utah’s collegiate football teams. To register for the tailgate and show support for an important cause, please visit here.

The book drive will run until December 15. If you have any questions, visit the Startup Santa website — it contains all the answers. Until then, let’s do some good for Utah’s children and donate.