2016: Great minds think alike

IMC's partnership with Room to Read was forged in 2016. "We had decided to make a company-wide financial commitment to a specific charity that we felt reflected IMC and its values," says Lisa.

It was Room to Read's focus on creating opportunities through literacy and education that first caught the eye, directly aligning with one of IMC's core values, 'Take responsibility', which includes helping others reach their full potential through community programs.

But IMC and Room to Read are also aligned in other ways. "Room to Read was founded by a former Microsoft executive," Lisa explains. "From the beginning, the organization has had a strong focus on data measurement and on quantifying the impact of their programs in disadvantaged regions.”

IMC was asked to choose a specific country campaign to support. "We took a vote, and the decision went to Tanzania," says Lisa. "At the time, Room to Read's Tanzanian program was in its early stages, and we felt our contribution could make a real difference. Tanzania is also a challenging environment: there’s traditionally been a lack of government investment in education.”

That same year, IMC donated the proceeds from its annual "Trading for Charity" day to the Room to Read Tanzania program. The funds were initially directed to 200 schools across the country and have been used in a variety of ways – from buying textbooks to building libraries and training teachers. As Lisa explains, this multifaceted approach is crucial: "You can distribute as many books as you want, but six- or seven-year-olds need help learning to read – and that means having trained teachers as well as well-equipped spaces where children can learn."

2019: Going all in

In 2019, IMC solidified its partnership with Room to Read by making a five-year commitment. The agreement would see IMC continue to donate the annual proceeds from its "Trading for Charity" day. It would position the company as Room to Read’s primary co-investor in Africa.

“Our commitment meant security for Room to Read and its beneficiaries," says Lisa. "It allowed the organization to launch long-term projects in Tanzania, knowing that they would be seen through to the end."

These projects include the development of reading material for children: "In countries like Tanzania, there hasn't traditionally been a children's book publishing industry to speak of, especially when it comes to books in Swahili. So, it's up to Room to Read to identify local authors, commission new books and get them published. We're effectively seeding an entire industry for public children's books!"

IMC's commitment has also enabled Room to Read to expand its reach to new regions (and schools) throughout Tanzania. Meanwhile, the organization has developed important relationships with the government in Dar es Salaam.

"Tanzania's Ministry of Education recently adopted Room to Read's childhood literacy curriculum," Lisa explains. "This is the realization of our goal to scale the impact beyond the schools that are selected for the full program. It means that Room to Read is a trusted expert and young children in public schools across the country will benefit. It's a huge step forward for child literacy in the country."

2020: New country, new challenges

Following the success of our Tanzania collaboration, in 2020 IMC decided to expand its partnership with Room to Read by extending support to the organization’s programs in nearby South Africa.

"South Africa is a very different situation to Tanzania," says Lisa. "For one thing, Room to Read's literacy program is delivered in 11 different languages, many of them lesser-known tribal languages."

South Africa's relatively high internet penetration is another key differentiator (72% of South Africans have access, compared to 32% of Tanzanians). That's why some of IMC's funding for Room to Read's local programs was used to create the Literacy Cloud, a major project to digitize children's books so that students across the country can access them for free.

A team effort

Nearly eight years after IMC and Room to Read first joined forces, Lisa wants to make sure that IMC employees understand their role in the partnership and the important work that’s being done.

“Whether they're based in Chicago, Sydney, or elsewhere, it's important that our employees recognize the positive social impact that their hard work is having."

To help raise this awareness, in October 2023 Lisa led a group of six employees from different IMC offices to visit Room to Read projects on the ground in Tanzania and South Africa.

"The trip was a great way to reinforce our commitment to Room to Read," adds Lisa. "We wanted to show that it's more than just the money IMC invests – we really care about the organization and the great work it does.

"It was especially fun to see IMC’s analytical culture at play during our trip. The Room to Read staff were delighted to field our detailed questions and discuss strategy because they are proud of their work and appreciate that we care so much about making an impact. Those of us who made the trip to Africa are eager to spread the word and share these insights with our colleagues back home.”

2024: Room to grow

In 2024, IMC begins a new five-year commitment with Room to Read that will run through to 2028. With an annual commitment of USD 6 million, that means many more libraries built, many more books read, and countless more lives changed for the better. IMC has also begun supporting the organization's work in India – a partnership we expect to grow as our presence in the country expands.

"We’re proud to expand our relationship with this amazing organization," said Lisa. "Above all, what we have in common is that we’re both leaders in our respective fields: IMC in trading, and Room to Read in education and literacy. I think that's what's kept us together all these years – and why our partnership will continue to thrive for a long time to come.”