Meet Tanav Parth
Founder & Director, Literacy Ladder
Building Bridges Through Books
At just 16 years old, Tanav Parth identified a critical gap in educational equity and took action. Founded during his sophomore year at Henry M. Gunn High School, Literacy Ladder began as a vision to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality reading materials.
As a multilingual student passionate about linguistics and cultural anthropology, Tanav understands the transformative power of language and literacy. His work bridges his academic interests with community impact, creating sustainable pathways to reading access for underserved students.
$1,500+
Funds Raised
500+
Books Donated
Multiple
Title 1 School Partnerships
Key Accomplishments
🎯 Founded Literacy Ladder
Established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving literacy access in underserved communities. Built infrastructure for sustainable, ongoing reading programs.
📚 Book Distribution Pipeline
Created and implemented a comprehensive book distribution system, successfully delivering 500+ books to students who need them most.
Created and implemented a comprehensive book distribution system, successfully delivering 500+ books to students who need them most.
💰 Successful Fundraising
Raised over $1,500 through strategic fundraising campaigns, community engagement, and partnership development to support literacy initiatives.
Raised over $1,500 through strategic fundraising campaigns, community engagement, and partnership development to support literacy initiatives.
🤝 Strategic Partnerships
Developed ongoing partnerships with Title I schools, ensuring sustainable reading programs that continue beyond initial book donations.
📖 Published Author
Created "Around the World in 50 Languages," a multilingual children's book combining linguistics, cultural storytelling, and AI-generated art, available globally on Amazon.com
🌍 Cultural & Linguistic Expertise
Brings unique perspective through multilingual background (4 languages), research experience with endangered languages, and cross-cultural understanding.
Journey Timeline
The Vision
Identified educational inequity in reading access. Founded Literacy Ladder to create systematic solutions for book accessibility in underserved communities.
First Major Milestone
Successfully raised initial funds and donated first 250 books to local Title I schools. Established organizational structure and fundraising protocols.
Building Partnerships
Developed strategic partnerships with multiple Title I schools. Created sustainable reading programs that extend beyond one-time donations.
Scaling Impact
Surpassed 500 books donated and $1,500 raised. Continuing to expand reach through innovative fundraising and community engagement while managing operations year-round.
Leadership Philosophy
"Literacy is the foundation of opportunity." This belief drives every initiative at Literacy Ladder. Tanav's approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, ensuring that programs don't just provide immediate resources but create lasting infrastructure for literacy access.
His background in linguistics and cultural anthropology informs a unique perspective: books aren't just educational tools—they're windows into different worlds, languages, and experiences. This understanding shapes Literacy Ladder's commitment to diverse, culturally-responsive book selections that reflect the communities they serve.
