For 15 years, Mizuho employees have logged on each week of the school year to do something deceptively simple: read with a child. Session by session, their 30-minute conversations have helped young students make steady progress and feel more at ease with reading.

Chapter One is a nonprofit focused on improving early literacy outcomes for elementary school students, particularly in underperforming and under-resourced schools. Its mission is to help first graders become confident readers before literacy gaps widen and affect later academic success. The need for this work is growing: in 2024, the average U.S. fourth-grade reading score for the nation was five points lower compared to 2019.

Mizuho's relationship with Chapter One combines philanthropy and employee engagement. Since the partnership began, nearly 300 students have been tutored by 170 Mizuho volunteers. In the 2025-2026 school year alone, volunteers led 550 reading sessions and helped students gain an average of two reading levels. In addition, through the Mizuho USA Foundation’s Community Involvement Grant program supporting employee volunteering, Mizuho provides annual general operating support funding to help the nonprofit expand and strengthen its literacy programs, including the creation of new e-books.

For Mizuho volunteers, the impact of the program is motivating. “Working one-on-one with my student was truly a highlight of each week,” said Michelle Carroll, Managing Director, COO Office, Banking, and Chapter One volunteer. “It was so rewarding to see his confidence and reading skills grow throughout the year, and getting to meet in person at the end of the program made the experience even more meaningful.”  

The strength of the program lies in its consistency. By pairing students with the same volunteers over time, Chapter One creates a regular, low-pressure space for children to practice reading, receive encouragement, and build trust with an adult who shows up for them week after week. "When Mizuho employees work directly with students, they don't just give their time—they become part of a child's learning journey,” said Tom Olver, Senior Director of Philanthropy at Chapter One. “We've seen how rewarding that experience can be for volunteers, and how those relationships can deepen an employee's understanding of the communities they are serving."

After 15 years, the partnership remains rooted in the same simple belief: when children learn to read with confidence, the future looks brighter. "Financial support is important, but the partnership means much more than funding,” Olver said. “Mizuho employees have demonstrated a genuine commitment to our mission by engaging with students and supporting the work of Chapter One. That creates a direct connection between Mizuho’s people and the communities we serve.”

As Mizuho and Chapter One look ahead, both organizations remain committed to helping students build the skills, confidence, and love of reading that can support success.

To learn more about the Mizuho USA Foundation, visit: https://www.mizuhogroup.com/americas/foundation