New web retailer BookKind pledges 10% of all sales to charity

A new online bookshop will donate 10% of the value of all purchases to charity.
BookKind, launching on Thursday, will allow customers to pick between eight charities working across health, literacy, environment, race equality and international aid to donate to when purchasing books.
The initiative will work in a similar way to Bookshop.org, which donates a portion of sales to independent bookshops. 'You could probably buy your books from cheaper places, but we keep our prices aligned with the recommended retail price so that as much money as possible goes to charity,' said a spokesperson from BookKind.
The shop was set up by e-commerce company Monwell, which also runs bookshops for media outlets including the Guardian.
'Having successfully launched bookshops for big media brands such as the Guardian and the Times, we wanted to do something on our own – and to give back,' said Sara Montgomery, co-founder and CEO of Monwell. The company plans to 'grow BookKind into one of the UK's leading book retailers while making a meaningful impact by supporting charities that help the most vulnerable people in society and address critical global challenges.'
The eight charities readers can donate to, chosen by Monwell team members, are Dementia UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, War Child UK, Read for Good, Surfers Against Sewage, Mental Health Foundation, Runnymede Trust – the race equality think tank – and Maggie's, a cancer care charity.
'The money raised throughout the year will help us offer vital practical and emotional support to people with cancer and their families across the country,' said Adam Feder, head of corporate partnerships at Maggie's.
'We were warmed by the staff selection of War Child following an incredibly difficult 2024 for children, young people and caregivers affected by war globally,' said George Baverstock of War Child UK.
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BookKind will feature reading lists themed around particular social, health, political and environmental issues, and work with publishers on campaigns for new books related to the eight charity causes.
'With representation comes inspiration, and so we're proud to support BookKind's ambition to broaden people's literary collections to include more books by authors of colour and from a range of different backgrounds and perspectives,' said Ellie Ikiebe of Runnymede Trust. 'This is how we can build empathy and a sense of belonging and understanding in an increasingly fractured society.'
Each charity will have a dedicated page that will act as its online bookshop. Throughout the year, a rotating 'featured charity' slot will highlight their work.
'We know that reading can be a powerful tool for mental wellbeing, reducing stress and providing a moment of calm,' said Alexa Charnley, Mental Health Foundation's director of fundraising and communications. BookKind 'not only encourages the joy of reading but also enables people to support causes they care about.'
'From comfort and entertainment to learning about the world, visiting different places and making new friends, books have so much to offer,' said Ella Mason of Read for Good.
BookKind also plans to 'carry out regular 'Acts of BookKindness'' by sending books to schools and hospitals.

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