BookKind launches today, the UK’s first online bookshop that empowers readers to support the causes they care about by buying new books. Customers choose a charity representing one of eight causes to receive 10% of the purchase value, meaning that readers can make a difference with every book they buy.
Just as Bookshop.org supports the independent bookshop sector, BookKind’s simple, innovative model contributes to charities that support some of the most vulnerable people in society, while also offering highly curated reading lists around important social, health, political and environmental issues. The chosen charities, which range from Read for Good and Great Ormond Street Hospital charity, War Child UK and the Runnymede Trust, to Dementia UK and Maggie’s to Surfers Against Sewage and the Mental Health Foundation, are all pioneers in their sectors and represent issues including children’s literacy, race equality, cancer care and international aid.
BookKind functions in the same way as a general bookseller – but with purpose, where 10% of the value of the purchase will be donated to one of the eight charity partners. Customers have access to a catalogue of over 200,000 titles (including all major trade releases and general bestsellers), as well as an exclusive range of literary gifts, with quick delivery backed up by a team of passionate and expert booksellers.
Each charity has a dedicated page on the BookKind website which acts as its online bookshop, highlighting new releases and recommended reading, alongside general bestsellers and content from publishers. Throughout the year, a rotating ‘Featured Charity’ slot will shine a light on the work of a particular charity. During this time, the charity will receive the lion’s share of donations. Reading lists feature as additional content for the charity’s website and newsletters, with affiliate links ensuring that the charity makes money from every person directed to the BookKind site.
BookKind, whose mission is to empower people to ‘read generously,’ has been developed by ecommerce company, Monwell, which runs bookshops for media brands including The Guardian, The Times, Daily Mail and the newly-launched Observer bookshop. For Monwell, BookKind is an opportunity for the team to give back to causes that they care about, as well as positioning the business as a broader, more credible book retailer. Each of the eight initial beneficiaries has been chosen by a Monwell team member as being personally significant to them. BookKind will also carry out regular ‘Acts of BookKindness’ by sending books to schools and hospitals and contributing to literacy programs.
Sara Montgomery, co-founder and CEO of Monwell, said: “Having successfully launched bookshops for big media brands like The Guardian and The Times, we wanted to do something on our own – and to give back. Our vision is to grow BookKind into one of the UK’s leading book retailers while making a meaningful impact by supporting charities that help the most vulnerable people in society and address critical global challenges.”
BookKind will be working with publishers on campaigns for new books relating to the eight charity causes and provides a platform for authors writing about important social, environmental and health issues to reach an audience of socially conscious shoppers who want to feel good about where their money is going.
