As challenges to free expression and the freedom to read show no signs of abating, Penguin Random House and the National Coalition Against Censorship have announced separate fundraising efforts to counter those threats.

PRH’s program is its first-ever Banned on the Run 5k, the proceeds from which will be donated to the Freedom to Read Foundation. Within 12 hours of registration opening on March 25, the company said PRH and Sourcebooks employees had raised over $10,000 for the Freedom to Read Foundation. As of press time this morning, the total had climbed to more than $17,000.

According to PRH, fundraising will continue through the end of National Library Week, which runs April 6–12. There will be an in-person run/walk event for New York-based PRH employees at the company headquarters at 1745 Broadway on April 9 while other virtual walkathon and activity challenges—logging miles based on physical and wellness activities—will take place throughout National Library Week.

Banned on the Run was conceived by Phillip Stamper-Halpin, director of author development at PRH and a member of the publisher's Intellectual Freedom Taskforce. “As a banned author myself, I've spent years hearing (often marginalized) kids and teens tell their stories about how the book banning crisis has negatively impacted their lives,” Stamper-Halpin said in a statement. “There's such a hunger out there to help fight book bans from inside and outside the industry, but people don't often know how they can make a difference. I wanted to give PRH and Sourcebooks employees a chance to make that impact.”

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, said that the funds given by participants “will allow FTRF to continue to go to court to oppose legislation that removes books from library and bookstore shelves and vilifies librarians for providing books to people who need them.”

This year’s Banned on the Run is only open to PRH and Sourcebooks staff, but organizers hope to expand the fundraising initiative in the future to authors, librarians, teachers, and publishing professionals.

For its part, NCAC is turning to comedy to raise funds to back its efforts in support of the right to free expression. The Stand-Up for Free Speech Comedy Benefit will take place April 30 from 8pm to 10pm at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. Tickets are $45 and available now at punchup.live/v/ncac.

The event, hosted by NCAC board member and Emmy Award–winning comedian Judy Gold, will feature performances from comedians Alex English, Mark Normand, Jessica Kirson, and Adam Ferrara.

“The funds raised from this event directly support our fight to ensure that every voice—no matter how controversial or challenging—can be heard,” said NCAC executive director Lee Rowland in a statement. “We’re thrilled to bring together some of the most fearless voices in stand-up to celebrate the power of humor.”