Reading Is Fundamental
Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Reading Is Fundamental meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to motivate children to read by making reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life."
Year, State Incorporated:
1973, DC
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) reports that it works to create a culture of literacy for children through book access, choice, and engagement. RIF's programs include Books for Ownership, Read for Success, and its digital library, Skybrary. Through its programs the organization states that it partners with local partners around the country (including schools, community centers, after-school programs, and more) to provide free new books and eBooks to children in these communities. RIF also develops and makes available free, digital resources to support reading engagement for teachers, families, and children via its online platforms, Literacy Central and Literacy Network. In 2024, the organization reports that it distributed 9 million books and operated 21,000 program sites. Some ($777,830 or 8%) of RIF's programs are conducted in conjunction with informational materials that include fundraising appeals.
For the year ended September 30, 2024, Reading Is Fundamental's program expenses were:
Digital programs: $2,375,045
Community literacy awareness: $2,157,806
Print programs: $5,372,838
Total Program Expenses: $9,905,689
Chief Executive
Alicia Levi, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$386,669
Chair of the Board
John Remondi
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former President and Chief Executive Officer, Navient
Board Size
11
Paid Staff Size
35
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
RIF incurred joint costs of $1,199,780 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $777,830 was allocated to program expenses and $421,950 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 29% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $9,724,126, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Reading Is Fundamental's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
Program service income | $2,882,667 |
Investment income, net | $2,397,402 |
Federal grants | $1,250,000 |
In-kind contributions | $1,073,174 |
Other income | $61,123 |
Contributions | $7,400,952 |
Total Income | $15,065,318 |
Programs: 69% Fundraising: 20% Administrative: 11%
Total Income | $15,065,318 |
Total expenses: | $14,325,228 |
Program expenses | $9,905,689 |
Fundraising expenses | $2,842,937 |
Administrative expenses | $1,576,602 |
Other expenses | $0 |
Income in Excess of Expenses | $740,090 |
Beginning Net Assets | $20,684,583 |
Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
Ending Net Assets | $21,424,673 |
Total Liabilities | $2,975,644 |
Total Assets | $24,400,317 |
Note: According to RIF's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024, the organization received $1,073,174 in contributed goods and services including media and advertising ($710,000), book ($239,000), and legal and consulting fees ($124,174).
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