Disney Launches Major Back-to-School Drive, Pledges Supplies and Books to Schools in All 50 States. Disney is launching a nationwide Back-to-School initiative today, teaming up with education-focused nonprofits DonorsChoose and First Book to provide essential supplies and books to schools in all 50 states. Helping this important initiative is Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, beloved for her role as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on Abbott Elementary. She lends her voice to a powerful new campaign spot aimed at inspiring public support, which you can watch below.
Teachers can sign up to request classroom supplies at DonorsChoose.org, and educators serving kids in low-income communities can become a First Book member for free.
Back-to-school season is about more than homework and packed lunches; it’s about giving every student and teacher the resources and tools for a joyful and successful start to the year. This new initiative builds on Disney’s legacy of impact, inspiring the next generation of storytellers and innovators, and celebrating teachers and students as they go back to school.
“Books are the gateway to reading and learning, but millions of children and schools don’t have the books they need,” said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. “For the past 25 years, Disney has held hands with First Book to support our mission, and this fall Disney and First Book will help welcome children back to school with brand new books to brighten classrooms and engage young readers. We’re thrilled to invite Disney fans everywhere to join us in bringing the magic of storytelling to children nationwide.”
Disney has long-standing relationships with First Book and DonorsChoose, supporting their networks of educators and students in low-income communities with mission-critical resources. Resources like:
Classroom Supplies: Continuing its longtime support of public schools through DonorsChoose, Disney is matching public donations to teacher-posted classroom projects focused on the arts and storytelling in under-resourced schools across all 50 states—delivering vital resources while rallying local communities.
Books That Inspire: Thousands of books will be distributed through First Book to low-income communities in every state, adding to the more than 93 million books Disney has donated to the organization since 2000.
VoluntEARS in Action: Disney VoluntEARS will once again lead school supply drives, a tradition of more than 25 years, delivering donations to nonprofits and schools in underserved communities, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.
Support for Fire-Impacted Schools: Further building upon Disney’s response to the 2025 LA fires, the company is providing an additional donation to enable teachers in fire-impacted schools to purchase supplies for their classrooms as they return for the start of a new school year.
“At school, students can channel their talents and learn how to authentically be themselves. Often, teachers need the resources to encourage them to do just that,” said Alex Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose. Disney is again showing up for public schools and getting students the art and creative supplies they need to express themselves through their class work and tell their stories. We at DonorsChoose are thankful that Disney is stepping in with this meaningful boost of support in time for the back-to-school season.”
Disney Launches Major Back-to-School Drive, Pledges Supplies and Books to Schools in All 50 States
For more information, visit FirstBook.org/DisneyBackToSchool and DonorsChoose.org/DisneyBackToSchool.
