SAG-AFTRA Foundation
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Foundation) is an American organization that provides assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA. It also provides children’s literacy programs to the public. Founded in 1985, it relies solely on support from grants, corporate sponsorships and individuals to maintain its programs. The Foundation contributes to the advancement of literacy through Storyline Online presenting digital videos featuring professional actors reading children’s books. Supplemental activities for each book are developed by an early literacy specialist. Together, the videos and related curriculum strengthen comprehension, verbal and  written skills of English. Available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge. The Foundation formerly contributed to the advancement of literacy across the US through BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools). This nationwide literacy program was first established in Los Angeles in 1993 by Barbara Bain. BookPALS claimed 5 chapters, with over 2200 volunteers who serve more than 60,000 children preschool by reading aloud at public schools, hospitals, cultural institutions and shelters. Actor Courtney B. Vance is the current President of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.