READ Global Email Format
Community Development and Urban PlanningCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
READ Global designs and supports self-sustaining, community-led library and resource centers that function as anchors for social and economic development within communities. Its approach centers on inclusivity, with a focus on empowering marginalized groups by connecting residents with knowledge, resources, and opportunities to shape their futures. In the field of community development and urban planning, READ operates as a neutral, trusted local institution that collaborates with communities to establish and maintain these centers. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the organization comprises a small to mid-sized team. Its regional footprint has expanded from its Nepal origins to Bhutan and India, building 112 READ Centers across South Asia that collectively serve about 2.52 million people. A notable recent development includes a 2023 update on READ Nepal, describing efforts to create local livelihood opportunities and provide information to support safer migration.