The Reading is FUNdamental program is funded by the Ford Foundation and sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution. Its advisory board is composed of people from diverse fields. It is designed to motivate children to read through experiencing the joy and pride of owning books of their own choice, and its purpose is to help develop and give technical assistance to a variety of model projects throughout the United States. This guide contains suggestions for starting an RIF project based mainly on the experiences of the pilot and model projects. Separate sections deal with the organization, funding, development, evaluation, and new directions of RIF programs. Types of assistance offered by the National RIF Office are outlined. (AW)