READING IS FUNDAMENTAL INC

As filed

Subsection

03

NTEE code

B92Z

Classification

2100

Street

750 1ST ST NE STE 920

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

• 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.

  Expenses $5,871,309 · Grants $4,254,588 · Revenue $3,057,823

• 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.

  Expenses $2,553,882 · Revenue $168,317

• 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.

  Expenses $2,434,324

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

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

• 2024

  Revenue

  $18,697,726

  Expenses

  $15,678,781

  Contributions

  $14,236,395

  Grants paid

  $4,254,588

• 2023

  Revenue

  $12,796,167

  Expenses

  $13,536,780

  Contributions

  $8,889,746

  Grants paid

  $3,420,967

• 2022

  Revenue

  $11,218,497

  Expenses

  $11,451,500

  Contributions

  $9,593,762

  Grants paid

  $2,824,023

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

• 2021 · 990

  Revenue

  $16,088,590

  Expenses

  $9,207,334

  Assets (EOY)

  $22,372,600

• 2020 · 990

  Revenue

  $9,974,937

  Expenses

  $7,583,670

  Assets (EOY)

  $18,008,233

• 2019 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,662,859

  Expenses

  $8,682,559

  Assets (EOY)

  $15,864,759

• 2018 · 990

  Revenue

  $11,675,652

  Expenses

  $8,911,585

  Assets (EOY)

  $16,836,002

• 2017 · 990

  Revenue

  $11,152,480

  Expenses

  $7,753,028

  Assets (EOY)

  $13,390,600

• 2016 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,364,247

  Expenses

  $6,969,506

  Assets (EOY)

  $10,345,218

• 2015 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,182,363

  Expenses

  $6,782,069

  Assets (EOY)

  $9,415,552

• 2014 · 990

  Revenue

  $6,317,349

  Expenses

  $8,316,467

  Assets (EOY)

  $9,957,469

• 2013 · 990

  Revenue

  $11,286,013

  Expenses

  $12,282,746

  Assets (EOY)

  $13,317,400

• 2012 · 990

  Revenue

  — not reported

  Expenses

  $13,144,806

  Assets (EOY)

  $13,846,719

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

• UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• MUSKINGUM VALLEY ESC

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• BELIEVE IN BOOKS LITERACY FOUNDATION

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• MERIDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• BESSEMER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• START LIGHTHOUSE

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• BOOK DRIVE FOR KIDS

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• REACH OUT AND READ HQ

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• GREATER AMSTERDAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

• READING IS FUNDAMENTAL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

  $0

  2023 · TO FOSTER LITERACY

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

• PWC FOUNDATION INC

  $1,025,000

  2024 · EDUCATION

• FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND

  $247,231

  2022 · For grant recipient's exempt purposes

• AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC

  $215,316

  2024 · GENERAL SUPPORT

• FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND

  $209,246

  2024 · For grant recipient's exempt purposes

• FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND

  $150,215

  2023 · For grant recipient's exempt purposes

• AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC

  $131,376

  2022 · GENERAL SUPPORT

• THE AYCO CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

  $122,850

  2024 · COMMUNITY & HUMAN SERVICES

• GIVINGA FOUNDATION INC

  $100,000

  2024 · PROGRAM SUPPORT

• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

  $80,530

  2024 · BOOK PROJECT WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN CA AND OR

• RANDOM ACTS INC

  $76,265

  2022 · CHILDREN'S LITERACY

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Other IRS files