named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Boys’ Puberty Book Project
Creates culturally relevant books for boys aged 10-14 addressing physical and emotional changes during puberty, including wet dreams and social expectations, developed with local illustrators and partners.
Digital Distribution via Worldreader
Partnership with Worldreader to make all Grow & Know books available on mobile devices and e-readers globally.
Dignity Period Distribution Model
Collaborative model in Ethiopia integrating puberty books into trainer-led programs on menstruation and pad use, supported by University of Washington and University of Mekelle.
Girls’ Puberty Book Project
Develops and distributes illustrated books on puberty and menstruation for girls aged 10-14, co-created through participatory research with local adolescents and approved by Ministries of Education.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Youth and Community Research Initiatives 1 activity
- Conducts participatory research to inform educational book developmentCarries out qualitative, participatory research with adolescents, parents, educators, healthcare workers, and community leaders to gather insights and personal stories that directly inform the content and design of puberty education books. Research has been conducted in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and the New York metropolitan area.
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Menstrual Health and Hygiene Equity 1 activity
- Develops and distributes puberty education books for children in low-income countriesDesigns, publishes, and distributes culturally relevant educational books on puberty and reproductive health for early adolescents (ages 10–14), with separate titles for girls and boys, in multiple languages including Swahili, English, Sidemigna, Af Somali, and Tigrinya. Over 2.28 million books have been distributed worldwide through partnerships with Ministries of Education, UN agencies, NGOs, and school-based programs.
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Public Access to Digital and Physical Library Collections 1 activity
- Makes educational books accessible via digital platformsProvides free access to educational books through digital formats, enabling download and use on e-readers and mobile devices to expand reach, particularly in low-resource and remote settings.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conducts impact evaluation research on puberty education interventionsExecutes rigorous research studies, including randomized trials, to evaluate the effectiveness of puberty and menstrual education programs. One such trial assessed the impact of an intervention on 9- to 12-year-old girls in the New York metropolitan area.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$93K
Contributions & grants$93K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$23K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$498K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$498K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.8%
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- CARE Partner — Partnered to develop the Ethiopia boys' book.
- Columbia Business School Partner — John Walker, a board member of Grow and Know, Inc., serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, teaching on Impact Investing.
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Partner — Collaborated on research related to puberty and period education interventions in the New York metropolitan area.
- Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health Partner — Academic affiliation of Dr. Marni Sommer, lead author and leader of the Grow & Know books.
- Dr. Jackie Kirk Partner — Inspiration for the organization's founding and embodiment of its participatory methods, honored in the organization's mission.
- Echoing Green Partner — John Walker, a board member of Grow and Know, Inc., is Director of Finance at Echoing Green and leads impact investing activities.
- Kampuchean Action for Primary Education Partner — Partnered to develop the Cambodia boys' book, To Become a Young Man.
- Ministries of Education Government — Government partner that approves books for use in primary schools
- Ministries of Health Government — Government partner that approves books in select countries
- Ministry of Education (Cambodia) Partner — Partners annually with GROW AND KNOW INC and UNICEF to distribute books to school libraries throughout Cambodia.
- Minuscule Studio Partner — Provides illustration and design for the US editions of the Grow & Know books.
- Peace Corps Partner — Collaborates through volunteers who incorporate puberty education books into girls' group programs in Madagascar.
- Royal University of Phnom Penh Partner — Partnered to develop the Cambodia girl's book, Growth and Changes.
- Save the Children Partner — Partnered to develop the Ethiopia boys' book.
- Trócaire Partner — Partnered with GROW AND KNOW INC to develop the book "Ukuaji na Mabadiliko (Growth and Changes)" for early adolescent girls in Kenya.
- UNFPA Partner — Orders and distributes GROW AND KNOW books in collaboration with national ministries and NGOs.
- UNICEF Partner — Partners with GROW AND KNOW INC to distribute books to children, including through school libraries in Cambodia.
- Worldreader Partner — Global partner enabling digital distribution of puberty education books via mobile devices, e-readers, and Amazon.com.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Comprehensive, Stigma-Reducing Puberty Educationmethodology: comprehensive-puberty-educationBy providing accurate, age-appropriate, and affirming puberty education that normalizes physical and emotional changes, we reduce fear and stigma and empower adolescents to reach their full potential because knowledge dispels shame and supports healthy development.
- Culturally Grounded and Faith-Based Deliverymethodology: culturally_grounded_educationBy grounding puberty education in local cultural, religious, and linguistic contexts—including partnerships with faith institutions and local creators—we increase community acceptance and program effectiveness because content feels familiar, trustworthy, and affirming to recipients.
- Participatory, Girl-Centered Content Developmentmethodology: participatory_content_developmentBy co-developing puberty education materials with adolescents—especially girls—and trusted adults, we produce more relevant and empowering educational resources because lived experience ensures cultural resonance, accuracy, and increased engagement among target audiences.