The Pi Beta Phi Literacy Fund plays a critical role in the success of Read > Lead > Achieve by impacting children’s lives and putting books into their hands. One in four children will grow up functionally illiterate. An estimated 30 million Americans over 16 years old cannot perform simple everyday literacy activities. Children and adults who are illiterate or have low literacy skills have poor educational, employment and health outlooks, perpetuating the cycles of poverty, crime and dependency. The Literacy Fund is a step in the process of ending illiteracy and leading to more literate and productive society.