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Nonprofiteer
← GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$22,624,791
Total expenses
$15,662,441
Contributions and grants received
$17,610,034
Grants paid
$46,944
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$1,416,539
Other revenue
$3,598,218
Total assets, end of year
$26,456,237
Total liabilities, end of year
$3,375,189
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$23,081,048
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$13,712,093
Management and general expenses
$832,858
Fundraising expenses
$1,117,490
Program service expenses (Part III)
$13,712,093

Program services were 87.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $16,823,855

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $786,179

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,167,087 · excluded $1,167,087

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,259,270

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $1,009,818

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $249,452

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $249,452 · excluded $249,452

  • 11a · Other revenue: COUNTY REIMBURSEMENT

    total $3,598,218 · related or exempt $3,598,218

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,598,218

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $46,944 · program services $46,944

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $590,147 · program services $136,638 · management and general $237,140 · fundraising $216,369

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,065,588 · program services $475,864 · management and general $155,241 · fundraising $434,483

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $65,970 · program services $36,171 · management and general $1,615 · fundraising $28,184

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $107,977 · program services $41,068 · management and general $24,214 · fundraising $42,695

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $31,695 · program services $19,017 · management and general $12,678

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $43,475 · management and general $43,475

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $25,796 · management and general $25,796

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $527,829 · program services $262,814 · fundraising $265,015

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $115,912 · program services $26,122 · management and general $63,668 · fundraising $26,122

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $122,553 · program services $40,442 · management and general $41,669 · fundraising $40,442

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $58,156 · management and general $58,156

  • 17 · Travel

    total $164,179 · program services $94,709 · management and general $51,712 · fundraising $17,758

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $45,265 · management and general $45,265

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $7,777 · management and general $7,777

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $103,695 · program services $41,242 · management and general $23,666 · fundraising $38,787

  • 24a · Other expenses: BOOKS AND MAILING

    total $7,729,689 · program services $7,729,689

  • 24b · Other expenses: READING PROGRAMS

    total $3,513,696 · program services $3,513,696

  • 24c · Other expenses: WORKSHOP EXPENSE

    total $1,226,637 · program services $1,226,637

  • 24d · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $39,034 · management and general $39,034

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $30,427 · program services $21,040 · management and general $1,752 · fundraising $7,635

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $10,370,145 · end of year $15,063,672

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $533,520 · end of year $50,000

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $50,062 · end of year $836

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $210 · end of year $0

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $63,094

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $48,903

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $21,967 · end of year $14,191

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $8,537,301 · end of year $10,877,109

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $316,228 · end of year $450,429

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $3,910,774 · end of year $3,307,811

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $277,187 · end of year $67,378

  • 29 · Capital stock, trust principal or current funds

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 30 · Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund

    beginning of year $21,967 · end of year $14,191

  • 31 · Retained earnings, endowment or other funds

    beginning of year $15,619,505 · end of year $23,066,857

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE MISSION OF GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDAION (GELF) IS TO STRENGTHEN EARLY LITERACY IN TENNESSEE. GELF EQUIPS TENNESSEE'S CHILDREN WITH BOOKS AND INNOVATIVE LITERACY TOOLS THAT ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. WE DO THIS BY SERVING AS A THOUGHT LEADER, ADVISOR, AND CATALYST TO SUSTAIN EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN ACCROSS THE STATE, INCLUSING BIRTH-3 BOOK DELIVERY, K-3 HOME LIBRARIES, CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT, STORYBOOK TRAILS, BOOK BUSES, AND THE STATEWIDE EARLY LITERACY EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE OF TENNESSEE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE MISSION OF GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDAION (GELF) IS TO STRENGTHEN EARLY LITERACY IN TENNESSEE. GELF EQUIPS TENNESSEE'S CHILDREN WITH BOOKS AND INNOVATIVE LITERACY TOOLS THAT ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

  • BOOK DELIVERY, THROUGH DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY: THROUGH OUR BIRTH-5 BOOK DELIVERY PROGRAM, WE DELIVER BOOKS EACH MONTH TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, THROUGH DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY, TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AT AN EARLY AGE. THIS PROGRAM IS A GIFT OF UP TO 60 HIGH-QUALITY, AGE APPROPRIATE BOOKS, TO BUILD A CHILD'S HOME LIBRARY BEFORE KINDERGARTON. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS AVAILABLE TO ALL AGE-ELIGIBLE TENNESSEE CHILDREN THROUGH A UNIQUE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH GELF AND AFFILIATED PROGRAMS IN EACH OF TENNESSEE'S 95 COUNTIES. WITH VITAL FINANCIAL SUPORT FROM THE TENESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOUNDATIONS, AND CORPORATE SPONSORS, GELF FUNDS HALF THE COST OF IMAGINATION LIBRARY BOOKS FOR ENROLLED CHILDREN STATEWIDE, SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS IN EACH OF TENNESSEE'S 95 COUNTIES AS THEY RAISE THE OTHER HALF OF THE COST OF BOOKS FOR ENROLLED CHILDREN IN THEIR COUNTY. SINCE 2004, WE HAVE MAILED OVER 58 MILLION BOOKS TO CHILDREN STATEWIDE

    Expenses $7,729,689 · Grants $46,944 · Revenue $3,598,218

  • THROUGH OUR STORYBOOK TRAIL PROGRAM, GELF COLLABORATES WITH TENNESSEE STATE PARKS CONSERVANCY AND LOCAL PARKS TO CREATE OUTDOOR READING EXPERIENCE WHERE FAMILIES INTERACT THROUGH LITERACY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THIS PROGRAM PRESENTS A CHILDREN'S STORYBOOK ON CHILD-HEIGHT PANELS ALONG A SHORT TRAIL TO PROMOTE ADULT-CHILD INTERACTION AROUND BOOKS AND NATURE. EACH PANEL FEATURES A READING TIP TO ENCOURAGE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BY BRINGING THE BOOK TO LIFE FOR CHILDREN. GELF'S STORYBOOK TRAIL PROGRAM NOW INCLUDE 76 TRAILS IN 52 TENNESSEE COUNTIES.

    Expenses $4,755,767

  • SUMMER: THROUGH OUR GROWING K-3 HOME LIBRARY PROGRAM, GELF DELIVERS QUALITY BOOKS AND LITERACY RESOURCES TO COMBAT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS AND SUPORT STUDENT LEARNING IN THE HOME. IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOLASTIC EDUCATION, THIS PROGRAM MAILS A PACK OF HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DURING THE SUMMER, AT NO COST TO FAMILIES OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SINCE IT'S LAUNCH IN SUMMER 2020, THE K-3 HOME LIBRARY PROGRAM HAS QUICKLY GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF GELF'S KEY PROGRAMS, AND THE FIRST STATEWIDE K-3 BOOK DELIVERY EFFORT IN THE U.S IN 2021. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF GELF'S K-3 SUMMER READING PROGRAM OVER 6 MILLION BOOKS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO CHILDREN AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

    Expenses $1,096,937

  • THROUGH OUR BOOK BUS PROGRAM, WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH MOBILE LIBRARIES THAT PROVIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY LITERACY RESOURCES. PARTNERING SCHOOL SYSTEMS RETROFIT DECOMMISSIONED SCHOOL BUSES WITH SEATING AND SHELVING TO HOUSE BOOKS AND LITERACY RESOURCES CREATING A LEARNING SPACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY. MANY OF THE BOOK BUSES ARE FOCUSED ON SERVING CHILDREN IN AREAS THAT FACE CHALLENGES TO ACCESSING BOOKS, SUCH AS LIBRARY DESERTS, LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, OR RURAL AREAS WHERE TRANSPORTATION TO A BOOKSTORE OR LIBRARY IS DIFFICULT. SOME BOOK BUSES OPERATE YEAR-ROUND, WHILE OTHERS PRIORITZE SERVICE OVER THE SUMMER, WORKING TO PREVENT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS.

    Expenses $129,700

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • BRANDON GIBSON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DANIELLE BARNES

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DENINE TORR

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • DEBORAH REED

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JENNIFER COLQUITT

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NANCY DISHNER

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • NICOLE WATSON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • BRYAN JONES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMES NICHOLSON

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JEFF BALLARD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • WILLIAM FRANKLIN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAKE BYNUM

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMES WILDMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MATT GORNICK

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JAMES POND

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $273,371
    From this org
    $220,654
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $52,717
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $220,654
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $33,507
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,210
    Filer's total
    $273,371

  • DEAN HOSKINS

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $205,479
    From this org
    $169,887
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,592
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $169,887
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $26,138
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,454
    Filer's total
    $205,479

  • ANGEL BEBOUT

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $124,066
    From this org
    $94,289
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,777
    Hours/week
    37.5

  • ABIGAIL SANDERSON

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $134,561
    From this org
    $104,784
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,777
    Hours/week
    37.5

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
11 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202611319349305706

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