Chico, California / Melbourne, Australia
The World Literacy Foundation, a leading global non-profit dedicated to eradicating illiteracy, has appointed Frank Schulenburg, Executive Director of Wiki Education, to its Board of Trustees.
The World Literacy Foundation works to ensure that every child, regardless of geography, has access to the books, literary resources, and skills needed to reach their full potential. Its signature event, the biennial World Literacy Summit, brings together educators, policymakers, literacy advocates, and researchers from around the world to address literacy challenges and share solutions.
Since its founding in 2011, the World Literacy Foundation has expanded to more than 80 countries. It provides literacy support through programs such as Sun Books, which delivers solar-powered tablets loaded with educational content to children in remote communities; the Learning Apps Project, which offers free digital resources for early reading development; and the International Day of Literacy campaigns, which raise awareness of the global education gap. The Foundation also conducts research, champions literacy-friendly public policy, and mobilizes volunteers to support reading programs in underserved regions.
Schulenburg’s engagement with the World Literacy Foundation goes back more than a decade. He first spoke at the second World Literacy Summit in April 2014 and returned as a keynote speaker at the Summit in Oxford in 2023.
“I am tremendously honored to join the board of the World Literacy Foundation,” said Schulenburg. “Education has shaped my life in fundamental ways. Although neither of my parents completed high school, they recognized that literacy was the greatest gift they could give a child. My mother, who struggled with spelling throughout her life, nevertheless understood the value of reading and encouraged me to pursue it. I greatly admire the work of the World Literacy Foundation, and I am glad to support its efforts to end illiteracy.”
As Executive Director of Wiki Education, Schulenburg leads efforts to improve student learning and expand Wikipedia’s coverage of public-interest topics. Previously, at the Wikimedia Foundation, he spearheaded global initiatives to enhance Wikipedia’s quality and extend free knowledge access in the Global South.
“Frank’s decision to join our board is a tremendous asset to the organization,” said Andrew Kay, CEO and Founder of the World Literacy Foundation. “His commitment to education, along with his experience in fundraising and governance, will be invaluable as we work to broaden our reach and impact.”
Earlier this year, Schulenburg was recognized by Marquis Who’s Who in America as a Top Executive for his dedication and achievements in nonprofit leadership.
