How to turn this year’s “community donation” into marketing people remember. And put four books in the hands of teens who need them.

No event to plan. No cap on the write-off for businesses. You don’t pay until the program is confirmed.

Dear friend,

If you own a business, run a chapter or lead a church, people ask you to give. The school fundraiser. The raffle. The youth league that needs jerseys. You say yes because it’s the right thing to do.

And then it disappears.

No story. No photos. A thank-you email if you’re lucky. Your customers never hear about it. And when your accountant books it, it’s a donation, which comes with a cap.

I want to show you a better way to spend that same money, one that does more good for teens and more good for your business.

First, who I am

My name is Kevin Elliott. I’ve written 25 books out of Charlotte, NC. I spent seven of my formative years in a neighborhood called Westgate, and I watched sharp, funny, capable kids get written off as the ones who “don’t read.”

They weren’t the problem. Nothing on the shelf sounded like their life.

So I wrote the books I wish somebody had handed me at 15. Four novels called Westgate Kids, plus a guided journal called Push a Boundary. Real neighborhoods, real pressure, real choices. No profanity, no sexual content, written for ages 13 to 17.

What happens when a teen gets these books

Don’t take my word for it. These are unedited comments parents left on my Facebook page:

A teen who finishes the first book he’s read in years is a story. Parents tell it. Mentors tell it. When you sponsor, your name is attached to that story.

Here’s how a sponsorship works

1. You pick a size. 10, 25 or 50 teens, or any number at $30 per teen.

2. We confirm the program with you. Name one you already support, or I match you with a vetted youth program serving teens, in your community where I can.

3. You get a clean invoice. It reads “Youth literacy sponsorship, [program], [N] teens.” Pay by card or send it to accounting.

4. The books ship, and you get the proof. Every teen gets all four novels and the journal to keep. You get photos and a one-page write-up with your name on it, for your website, your newsletter, your lobby or the local paper.

Why this is a marketing expense, not a donation

Here’s the part most people miss. When a corporation gives to charity, the deduction is capped at 10% of taxable income, and starting in 2026 the first 1% doesn’t count at all.

A sponsorship that promotes your business is different. It’s marketing and community relations, and marketing expenses have no percentage cap. Sponsor $500 or $50,000.

That’s why you get an invoice, photos and a write-up instead of a donation receipt. You’re paying for a community program with your name on it, and you can show exactly what you got.

Not tax advice. Deductibility depends on your business and how you use the sponsorship, so confirm with your CPA. Westgate Kids is not a 501(c)(3), so personal sponsorships are not tax-deductible.

This is not for everyone

What it costs

Each teen is $30 for the complete set. Pick the size that fits:

My promise to you

You don’t pay a cent until we’ve confirmed the program and the number of teens with you. And when the books land, you’ll get photos and a write-up showing where they went. If something about the program doesn’t sit right with you before you pay, you walk away. Simple.

Why now

Two reasons. If you want this on your 2026 books, the invoice needs to be paid by December 31. And the sooner the books ship, the sooner teens are reading over the holiday break instead of scrolling through it.

Fill out the short form below. I read every one personally and reply within one business day.

Kevin Elliott

Author, Westgate Kids · Charlotte, NC