Many thanks to Brittany at We Love DC for letting us know about Books for America–A Bookstore With a Purpose. This Dupont Circle neighborhood shop is not simply a used bookstore, it’s the headquarters for an amazing nonprofit organization that provides books to schools, literacy programs, community centers, nursing homes and correctional facilities.

This innovative social entrepreneurship organization has donated nearly $500,000 dollars worth of books in 2010 alone. Books for America is largely run by volunteers and depends on sales from their bookshop and book donations to support their projects.