‘Reading Rainbow’ Breaks Kickstarter Record

LeVar Burton’s Kickstarter campaign to raise money for a web version of children’s series Reading Rainbow has not only been a tremendous success, but it has also set a new record. The campaign has become the most-backed project on the crowd funding site.

Yesterday, the amount of individual contributors surpassed the previous record amount of backers, which was 91,585 in support of a film for cancelled TV series Veronica Mars which raised $5.7 million.

With less than a day left to donate to the campaign, the project currently has over 99,000 backers with over $4.8 million pledged. The campaign began back in May and reached its initial goal of $1 million in less than 24 hours. By reaching $1 million, Burton will develop a website for Reading Rainbow as well as provide 1,500 classrooms with free subscriptions. If the project hits $5 million, Burton states he will develop a Reading Rainbow app for smart phones, gaming consoles, and OTT boxes, and would be able to give 7,500 classrooms free subscriptions.

“Bring Reading Rainbow Back for Every Child, Everywhere” has also become the fifth-most funded project on Kickstarter. The four bigger campaigns, including Veronica Mars, have all donated perks to support Burton. He has also received help from some celebrity friends, including comedian Seth MacFarlane, who will match pledges from the $4 million to $5 million mark.