READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC

EIN: 520976257 501(c)(3) Education

WASHINGTON, DC

Total Revenue
$18,697,726
Total Expenses
$15,678,781
Total Assets
$28,242,855
Net Assets
$25,116,075
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1973
Legal Domicile
DC
Principal Officer
ALICIA LEVI
Phone
2025363400
Tax Period
2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC, founded in 1973, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Education sector that reported $18.7M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 46% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $3.0M, a strong 16% operating margin.

Mission

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL WORKS TO DISRUPT THE ALARMING U.S. LITERACY CRISIS BY INSPIRING THE JOY OF READING IN CHILDREN, A CRITICAL ELEMENT TO DRIVING THE FREQUENCY, MOTIVATION, AND ENGAGEMENT NEEDED TO CREATE SKILLED READERS. WE KNOW THAT IF WE BUILD A FOUNDATION OF JOY FOR CHILDREN, THEN DEVELOPMENT, DISCOVERY, AND OPPORTUNITY FOLLOW.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $5,871,309 Revenue: $3,057,823

PRINT PROGRAMS:BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP IS RIF'S FLAGSHIP READING PROGRAM WHERE CHILDREN CHOOSE NEW BOOKS AND PARTICIPATE IN READING ACTIVITIES WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS...

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PRINT PROGRAMS:BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP IS RIF'S FLAGSHIP READING PROGRAM WHERE CHILDREN CHOOSE NEW BOOKS AND PARTICIPATE IN READING ACTIVITIES WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS PROGRAM EDUCATES, BUILDS COMMUNITY, AND INSPIRES CHILDREN TO MAKE GREATER CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES TO CHOOSE LEARNING, AND TO CHOOSE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. FUNDED BY A VARIETY OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS, AND WORKING THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, RIF DISTRIBUTES BOOKS TO CHILDREN THAT ARE FREE TO THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS PROGRAM GIVES CHILDREN AGENCY, ALLOWING THEM TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN BOOKS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TITLES APPROPRIATE TO THEIR READING LEVEL. THE DISTRIBUTIONS, WHICH OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ALSO INCLUDE PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF FUNDERS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. FOCUSING ON ACCESS AND CHOICE, STUDENTS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE IN A BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP PROGRAM SELECTING NEW, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS TO TAKE HOME AND OWN. THE PROGRAM'S INTEGRATED APPROACH TO LITERACY PROVIDES SUPPORTING RESOURCES TO TEACHERS AND FAMILIES. BY MOTIVATING CHILDREN TO READ THROUGHBOOK CHOICE, ENGAGING THEM IN TOPICS THAT APPEAL TO THEM, AND PROVIDING THEM WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO READ, THIS PROGRAM WILL ENABLE CHILDREN TO BECOME MORE PROFICIENT READERS AND, THROUGH READING, LEARN. THESE BOOKS ARE FURTHER SUPPORTED THROUGH DIGITAL RESOURCES ON RIF'S LITERACY CENTRAL TO ENSURE ONGOING READING ENGAGEMENT.LITERACY KITS ARE AN INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR BOOK DISTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP PROGRAM AND ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS AT A BROADER SCALE. LITERACY KITS PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH CRITICAL ACCESS TO BOOKS AND READING RESOURCES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THEIR AT-HOME LIBRARIES. THE PROGRAM EMPOWERS VOLUNTEERS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ASSEMBLE KITS FOR EACH PARTICIPATING STUDENT THAT CONTAIN UP TO 3 BOOKS, LITERACY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO CREATE A JOY OF READING. THE VOLUNTEERS DISTRIBUTE THE KITS TO STUDENTS IN UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES THROUGH SCHOOLS OR SCHOOL-ADJACENT ORGANIZATIONS. THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO HOST BOOK CELEBRATION EVENTS THAT INCORPORATE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF LITERACY. FUNDED BY A VARIETY OF CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS, OFTEN AS AN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY, AND WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, RIF COORDINATES THE DISTRIBUTION OF THESE PRE-MADE KITS TO STUDENTS THAT ARE FREE TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE BOOKS INCLUDED IN THE KITS ARE FURTHER SUPPORTED THROUGH DIGITAL RESOURCES ON RIF'S LITERACY CENTRAL.RIF CONTINUES TO OFFER ITS READ FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM, AN INNOVATIVE READING INTERVENTION ADDRESSING THE LITERACY BACKSLIDE THAT TRADITIONALLY HAPPENS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. READ FOR SUCCESS IS CENTERED AROUND MOTIVATING CHILDREN TO READ BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CLASSROOM BOOK COLLECTIONS, BOOKS FOR STUDENTS TO CHOOSE AND OWN, ENRICHING STEAM-THEMED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS, AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES. TESTED OVER TWO YEARS AMONG 33,000 STUDENTS FROM 16 STATES, RIF'S READ FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM HELPED REVERSE THE TREND OF SUMMER LEARNING LOSS FOR MORE THAN HALF THE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, 57% OF THE STUDENTS SAW GAINS IN READING PROFICIENCY WHEN TESTED FROM SPRING TO FALL.

Program 2
Expenses: $2,553,882 Revenue: $168,317

DIGITAL PROGRAMS:RIF'S DIGITAL PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS INCLUDES LITERACY CENTRAL, LITERACY NETWORK, THE LITERACY APP, AND SKYBRARY.LITERACY CENTRAL IS AN ONLINE DESTINATION FOR TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND...

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DIGITAL PROGRAMS:RIF'S DIGITAL PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS INCLUDES LITERACY CENTRAL, LITERACY NETWORK, THE LITERACY APP, AND SKYBRARY.LITERACY CENTRAL IS AN ONLINE DESTINATION FOR TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND LITERACY VOLUNTEERS TO GET THOUSANDS OF FREE DIGITAL RESOURCES TIED DIRECTLY TO THE BOOKS CHILDREN LOVE AND TEACHERS TURN TO EVERY DAY. THE PORTAL PROVIDES TOOLS TO EASILY ORGANIZE AND KEEP READING RESOURCES IN ONE PLACE WITH CUSTOMIZABLE BOOK LISTS, PRINTABLE LESSON PLANS, ACTIVITIES, GAMES, READING PASSAGES, CALENDARS, AND VIDEOS.LITERACY NETWORK IS RIF'S COMMUNITY PORTAL DESIGNED TO SUPPORT RIF PROGRAMS AND VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, REACH MORE CHILDREN WITH LIFE-CHANGING LITERACY SUPPORT. THIS IS THE DESTINATION FOR ALL OF THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LOCAL LITERACY CHAMPION WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WANTS TO VOLUNTEER, ONE OF RIF'S COMMUNITY PARTNERS, A SCHOOL THAT WANTS TO IMPLEMENT A RIF PROGRAM, OR ONE OF OUR LOCAL RIF PROGRAMS.SKYBRARY IS A SUBSCRIPTION-BASED INTERACTIVE, DIGITAL LIBRARY OF MORE THAN 900 HIGH-QUALITY EBOOKS AND VIDEO EXPLORATION FIELD TRIPS THAT ENGAGE READERS AND HELP FOSTER A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING. THIS ONLINE RESOURCE ALLOWS CHILDREN TO EXPLORE OTHER THEMATIC ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE BOOK. SKYBRARY SCHOOL FEATURES THE SAME CAREFULLY CURATED LIBRARY OF DIGITAL BOOKS ALONG WITH ADDED FEATURES JUST FOR EDUCATORS. TEACHERS CAN ACCESS LESSON PLANS AND TEACHING GUIDES INSPIRED BY THE BOOKS AND VIDEOS IN THE LIBRARY FOR EXTENDED LEARNING AS WELL AS TRACK AND MANAGE STUDENTS' USAGE OF THE BOOKS AND VIDEOS.

Program 3
Expenses: $2,434,324

COMMUNITY LITERACY AWARENESS AND OTHER PROGRAMS: RIF PROMOTES AWARENESS OF THE CRITICAL IMPACT OF EARLY LITERACY THROUGH A BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, SHARING RESOURCES THROUGH ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL...

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COMMUNITY LITERACY AWARENESS AND OTHER PROGRAMS: RIF PROMOTES AWARENESS OF THE CRITICAL IMPACT OF EARLY LITERACY THROUGH A BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, SHARING RESOURCES THROUGH ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, DISTRIBUTION OF ITS THEMATIC BOOK COLLECTIONS, AND LEVERAGING MEDIA THROUGH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS. RIF'S LITERACY SERVICES INCLUDE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND LITERACY TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN ENCOURAGING THEIR CHILDREN'S LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. WITH THE GUIDANCE OF RIF'S VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS, BOOK DISTRIBUTIONS, AND READING CELEBRATIONS.RIF CONDUCTS LITERACY TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS. THIS TRAINING IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S EMERGING LANGUAGE AND LITERACY SKILLS WHILE INCLUDING PARENTS AS THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHERS. THE TRAINING IS DONE THROUGH A "TRAIN THE TRAINER" MODEL THAT PREPARES PARTICIPANTS TO RETURN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND DELIVER THE TRAINING TO THEIR COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITIES.RIF HOSTS OTHER LITERACY EVENTS WHICH PROMOTE LITERACY AND INFORM OTHERS ABOUT ITS MISSION.RIF ENGAGES WITH INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE EXPERTS TO EVALUATE RIF'S PROGRAM ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF NEED AND ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $14,236,395
Program Service Revenue $3,226,140
Investment Income $1,187,965
Other Revenue $47,226
TOTAL REVENUE $18,697,726

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $4,254,588
Salaries & Benefits $4,695,615
Fundraising Expenses $2,682,341
Program Expenses $10,859,515
Other Expenses $5,817,250
TOTAL EXPENSES $15,678,781

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $18,697,726 $12,796,167 +0.5%
Expenses $15,678,781 $13,536,780 +0.2%
Net Income $3,018,945 $-740,613 -5.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
11
Independent Members
10
Employees
37
Volunteers
30000

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$715,593
Total Directors
11
$457,080
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
ALICIA LEVI PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.00
Officer Director
$430,208 $26,872 $457,080
JOHN REMONDI CHAIRMAN 4.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
THOMAS PLATH VICE CHAIRMAN 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JJ JOHNSON SECRETARY 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MARC WALBY TREASURER 1.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ANGELA Y JONES DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHELLE MESACK DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHELLE MURPHY DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
KEVIN SMITHSON DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOE THORNTON DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
SIMONE WU DIRECTOR 1.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
MOLLY VANDERLOO CFO UNTIL 06/25 40.00
Officer
$235,268 $23,245 $258,513
JODI RUBIN SVP, MARKETING & PARTNERSHIP 40.00
Highest
$214,528 $50,023 $264,551
RACHEL MADEWELL SVP, DEVELOPMENT 40.00
Highest
$169,380 $3,846 $173,226
LAURA RAHMAN VP, ANNUAL GIVING 40.00
Highest
$147,950 $31,119 $179,069
WILLIAM GAUSMAN SR. MANAGER, ENGINEERING 40.00
Highest
$137,712 $12,214 $149,926
CHRISTOPHER BOYKIN SR. ASSOCIATE, ENGINEERING 40.00
Highest
$148,655 $11,146 $159,801
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $18,697,726 $15,678,781 $28,242,855 $3,018,945
2024 $12,796,167 $13,536,780 $24,400,317 $-740,613
2023 $11,218,497 $11,451,500 $23,642,815 $-233,003
2022 $16,088,590 $9,207,334 $22,372,600 $6,881,256
2021 $9,974,937 $7,583,670 $18,008,233 $2,391,267
2020 $6,662,859 $8,682,559 $15,864,759 $-2,019,700
2019 $11,675,652 $8,911,585 $16,836,002 $2,764,067
2018 $11,152,480 $7,753,028 $13,390,600 $3,399,452
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