The Bulldog Initiative is joining the Fight for Literacy, a national campaign to impact the childhood literacy crisis through the power of sports. In doing so, also provides contributors with a tax-deductible option for benefiting MSU student-athletes who use their platforms to promote this worthwhile cause.
“Over the past several months, we have been pleased to engage with Mississippi State University student-athletes to support the Bulldog Initiative and the greater MSU and Starkville communities. Through this new relationship with our charitable partner, Coaching for Literacy, we have opened another door for these athletes to give back to the community by using their platforms to share an important message and to make a difference in the lives of young students,” said The Bulldog Initiative’s director, Charlie Winfield.
While the Fight for Literacy seeks to promote increased literacy at all age levels, it has a particular emphasis on third-grade reading. “More than two out of three American third graders fail to read at their grade level,” said Chandler Ferguson, co-executive director of Coaching for Literacy and proud MSU alumna. “It is vital that we continue to assist in improving reading at this level, as it is the strongest predictor for high school graduation and career success. Sports teams and athletes can play a unique role because their platform is so powerful.”
The Bulldog Initiative’s new relationship also provides opportunities for supporters to help MSU student-athletes when they make tax-deductible contributions to Coaching for Literacy. When Bulldog Initiative supporters give to the Fight for Literacy Campaign, 70% of their contribution will be used to activate MSU athletes to raise awareness about literacy and to participate in literacy activities with local students. Thirty percent of funds remain with Coaching for Literacy, to support their growing mission and platform of using the power of sports to impact the childhood literacy crisis.
Coaching for Literacy has long been visible in the athletic world by promoting more than 220 Fight for Literacy college basketball games in just five short years, including an upcoming game at Mississippi State University, where coaching staffs wear Green for Literacy ties and lapel pins to signify their support for the Fight for Literacy. “We value the opportunity to work with coaches, and we are especially excited now to engage players in this fight as well,” said Jason Baker, co-executive director of Coaching for Literacy. This engagement will include having players promote the Fight for Literacy on their personal social media platforms, wearing Green for Literacy apparel at certain appearances and events, and visiting local kindergarten through third-grade classrooms to read to students and to seek to inspire them to become strong readers.
“Athletes have a unique opportunity to inspire young students, and we cannot think of a better way to use that power than to promote the Fight for Literacy in our surrounding areas,” Winfield said.
Donors can activate Mississippi State student-athletes to raise awareness around childhood literacy rates and use their influence to inspire young students to become strong readers throughout Oktibbeha County and surrounding counties by giving through the Fight for Literacy.
Support the Fight for Literacy, impacting both MSU athletes and local students needing a literacy assist. Visit the Bulldog Initiative x Fight for Literacy Campaign Page to give one-time or monthly. If you would like to give by check or otherwise, please contact Jason Baker at jason@coachingforliteracy.org
About Coaching for Literacy
Founded in 2013 by two then-high school students, Coaching for Literacy aims to raise awareness of and support solutions to the widespread problem of illiteracy. Using the power and influence of sports, the organization partners with teams and individual athletes across the country who join the Fight for Literacy to raise awareness and drive funds to literacy-focused programs in their communities. Coaching for Literacy operates on the core belief that literacy is a fundamental right of every individual. For more information, visit CoachingForLiteracy.org. Coaching for Literacy is a 501(c)3 organization.
About The Bulldog Initiative
The Bulldog Initiative, LLC is a Mississippi limited liability company that supports Mississippi State University student-athletes by developing opportunities for them to take advantage of their name, image, and likeness rights.