Melissa Monforti has been named executive director and a founding board of directors has been appointed at BookGive, a nonprofit arm of BookBar, Denver, Colo. The organization's mission is to spark "a lifelong love of reading by fueling metro Denver with free books." From its headquarters at 49th & Lowell in the soon-to-be renovated Regis 66, BookGive distributes new and gently used books to individuals, schools and nonprofits throughout the metro area. A spring 2020 opening is anticipated for the BookGive Service Station.
Monforti is best known in the North Denver community as a music educator with Music Together. She comes to BookGive after building three small businesses simultaneously over 15 years, prior to which she worked for one large and several small nonprofits. She holds a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University as a Colorado Trust Fellow. As executive director, Monforti "is the key management leader overseeing the administration, operations, programs and strategic direction of the organization," BookGive said.
BookBar owner Nicole Sullivan will serve as president of the board of directors. She originated the Northwest Denver Community Book Exchange in 2009. In 2017, she launched the Local to Local program, which pairs local authors with schools, donating roughly five cases of each author’s books to students. Both programs will be incorporated into BookGive.
Other members BookGive's board of directors include treasurer Eric Crouser, a realtor/investor on the iMPACT Team at Your Castle Real Estate; secretary Kalen Landow, account manager at National Book Network; Rebecca Caldwell, who manages marketing and community outreach for Skinner Middle and North High Schools; and Elizabeth Martinez, a realtor with Porchlight Real Estate.