FOUNDED IN 2019
Decades of Service to the Love of Reading
BookGive was founded by literacy leader Nicole Sullivan, owner of BookBar, The Bookies and BookBar Press. In 2009, Nicole began an annual free book exchange resulting in 10,000+ books swapped between readers and 10,000+ books donated to area organizations.
Ten years later, that event became BookGive: a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused entirely on the collection and distribution free books, with Nicole as founding donor and board president, and Melissa Monforti as founding executive director.
Today, BookGive is run by Kristi Wimbish, Executive Director, and continues to benefit from the guidance of its founding leadership:
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Nicole Sullivan, Founder
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Eric Crouser, Founding Treasurer
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Kalen Landow, Founding Secretary
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Elizabeth Martinez, Founding Board Member
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Rebecca Caldwell, Founding Board Member
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Melissa Monforti, Founding Executive Director
200+
volunteers since 2019
550+
organizations served
500,000+
books delivered.
The History of BookGive
BookGive Founded
BookGive is officially founded, evolving out of a long-standing community book exchange program run for over six years by BookBar.
First Volunteer Shift
Operations officially commence with the first tracked volunteer shift, occurring just two weeks before Denver issues mandatory Covid-19 shelter-in-place orders.
Electra joins BookGive
Nicole Sullivan purchases "Electra," a brand-new all-electric Ford Transit van, to replace the aging Mavis and upgrade mobile operations.
Sept. 2018
Permanent Facility
Founder and Board President Nicole Sullivan purchases a permanent facility—a repurposed 1940s-era gas station in North Denver's Regis neighborhood.
Free Book Room
The physical footprint at the service station expands with the official grand opening of the public "Free Book Room".
500,000 Books Milestone
BookGive celebrates a massive milestone at its Half A Million Stories Gala, crossing over 500,000 lifetime books distributed.