irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $548KRESOURCE CENTER IN FY 2025, THE LAC COMPLETED THE FOURTH YEAR OF SERVING AS THE COORDINATOR, DATA ANALYST, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER FOR THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL'S ADULT LITERACY PILOT PROJECT, WHICH FUNDS 42 COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS IN NYC. THE LAC SERVED AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE PROGRAMS, THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA AND REPORTED ON IMPACTS AND OUTCOMES; PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INSTRUCTORS IN PARTICIPATING PORGRAMS; AND COMPLETED A 10-MONTH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE FOR EMERGING ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM LEADERS IN NYC. IN FY 2025, THE LAC ALSO COMPLETED THE FIFTH YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT TO SERVE AS THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM AND POLICY TEAM'S SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (STAC) FOR NEW YORK CITY. UNDER THE STAC, THE LAC PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 21 NYSED-FUNDED ADULT LITERACY EDUCATION (ALE) PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT NYC.
- #2 $532KEDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES IN FY 2025, THE LAC COMPLETED THE SECOND YEAR OF ITS THREE TO SIX YEAR CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO OVER 90 COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT AND ADOLESCENT LITERACY PROGRAMS AND OVER 30 OUT-OF-SCHOOL AND IN-SCHOOL YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DYCD). THE LAC ALSO CONTINUED TO OFFER TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICES BASIS TO ADULT LITERACY, HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY, AND ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Literacy Pilot Project
Coordinates and evaluates a citywide initiative funding 42 community-based adult literacy programs in NYC, including data collection, impact reporting, and professional development.
Adult Student Information System and Technical Support (ASISTS)
Manages NYSED’s statewide data system that collects and analyzes enrollment and outcome data for approximately 70,000 adult literacy students annually.
Investing in Quality
Research and advocacy initiative that defines the "Building Blocks" of high-quality adult literacy programs and provides a cost model and sample budget to inform funding decisions.
Listen Up for Literacy & Justice
Oral history project collecting and sharing audio stories from adult education students to inform policy and advocacy efforts.
Literacy & Justice Initiative (LJI)
Advances adult literacy as part of a broader racial, social, and economic justice agenda by engaging programs and students in justice movements and building field-wide advocacy.
Literacy & Justice Leadership Institute
10-month leadership development program for emerging and experienced adult education leaders committed to equity and justice-centered program leadership.
Support and Technical Assistance Center (STAC)
Provides one-on-one support, technical assistance, and capacity-building services to 21 NYSED-funded adult literacy programs in New York City.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocacy for adult literacy and educational justiceAdvocates for increased public investment in adult literacy services through policy engagement, coalition leadership, and public storytelling initiatives. Leads the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy, submits policy recommendations to state plans, and advances racial, social, and economic justice through the Literacy & Justice Initiative and the Listen Up for Literacy & Justice project.
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Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring 1 activity
- Capacity-building for adult and adolescent literacy programsProvides professional development, technical assistance, training, coaching, curriculum design, and data support to over 100 community-based adult literacy, adolescent literacy, and workforce development programs in New York City, including state-funded and city-funded initiatives. Offers services nationally on a fee-for-service basis.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Direct-service workshops and educational resourcesOffers public workshops in New York City and at national conferences such as COABE 2023, both in-person and virtually. Develops and distributes instructional resources for adolescent and adult literacy programs, including best practices in reading, writing, and vocabulary instruction, and maintains a website supporting after-school literacy programs.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Research and publication in adult literacy educationConducts and publishes research on adult literacy outcomes, including findings from the $2.5M NYC Adult Literacy Pilot Project, the impact of the pandemic on literacy programs, and quality standards for adult education. Produces reports such as Investing in Quality and updates on high school equivalency policy and practice.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.64M
Contributions & grants$2.55M96%
Program service revenue$92K3%
Investment income$4030%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$2.53M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.66M
Grants paid out$14K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.80M
Cash$653K
Investments$0
Liabilities$426K
Net assets$1.37M
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +12.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA YANKWITT | EXECUTIVE DI | 35 | $155K |
| VENUGOPAL THELAKKAT | DIRECTOR OF | 35 | $154K |
| LIZELENA IGLESIAS | DIR. OF ADUL | 35 | $121K |
| GREGORY JACQUES | SENIOR DEVEL | 35 | $119K |
| SIERRA STONEMAN-BELL | DIR. OF STRA | 35 | $117K |
| CYNTHIA BELL | DIR. OF WORK | 35 | $111K |
board members · 10
- BERTA COLON — MEMBER
- ELIZABETH HORTON — CHAIR OF AUD
- IRWIN KIRSCH — MEMBER
- J DAVID NELSON — CHAIR OF FIN
- JAYE JONES — CO-CHAIR
- JOHN GORDON — CO-CHAIR
- MARIAN LAPSLEY CROSS — MEMBER
- MICHAEL HIRSCHHORN — MEMBER
- MICHAEL RIVADENEYRA — MEMBER
- PARVONEH SHIRGIR — MEMBER
relationships · 55
Who they work with
- All4Ed Network — Participates in Digital Learning Day, an initiative led by All4Ed, to promote personalized digital learning.
- CLASP Partner — Collaborates on federal and state policy development to strengthen adult education and workforce pathways.
- COABE Network — Member of the national Commission on Adult Basic Education, participating in national policy and professional development efforts.
- Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES) Partner — Parvoneh Shirgir, Team Leader of Education Services at CASES, serves on the board, indicating a partnership.
- Chinese Mutual Aid Association Partner — Conducted an interview with Ira Yankwitt about the connections between literacy work and social justice movements.
- Chinese-American Planning Council Partner — Jeff Lau, Director of Adult Literacy Program at Chinese-American Planning Council, serves on the board, indicating a partnership.
- City of Philadelphia’s Digital Literacy Alliance Network — References Philadelphia’s Digital Navigator program as a model for digital inclusion, indicating alignment with broader national efforts.
- Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation Partner — Receives professional development and technical assistance for adult literacy programs.
- EdTech Center at World Ed Partner — Highlights the EdTech Integration Strategy Toolkit developed by the EdTech Center at World Ed as a resource for integrating educational technology.
- Educational Testing Service Partner — Collaborates to provide professional development services for adult educators using the HiSET® exam.
- Grace Outreach Partner — Receives customized on-site training and technical assistance for adult education programs.
- Ira Yankwitt Partner — Executive Director of the Literacy Assistance Center, serving as primary contact for organizational inquiries.
- JFF Partner — Collaborated with LAC staff on the Digital Resilience in the American Workforce (DRAW) project.
- Lehman College Partner — Jaye Jones, Senior Director at Lehman College, serves on the board, indicating a partnership.
- Literacy Assistance Center Government — LAC is referenced as the organization responsible for privacy practices on its website.
- NY State Education Department Government — Collaborates with NYSED as the official data system for accountability and federal reporting in adult education.
- NYC Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Supported the $2.5M Adult Literacy Pilot Project funded by the New York City Council.
- NYCCAL Coalition — Member of the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy, collaborating on citywide literacy advocacy and policy initiatives.
- NYSCATE Partner — Collaborates with NYSCATE to provide asynchronous professional development courses for New York State educators.
- National Coalition for Literacy Network — Full voting member organization; LAC representative serves on the board.
- National Coalition for Literacy Network — Member of a national alliance advocating for adult literacy and basic education policy.
- National Skills Coalition Network — Engages with the National Skills Coalition to advance digital equity and workforce development policy.
- Nell Eckersley Partner — Contact person for joining the Adult Literacy Professional Network mailing list.
- New York Association for Career/Continuing Education Network — Member of a statewide network focused on adult education and workforce development policy.
- New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy Coalition — Lead member organization with staff serving on multiple committees.
- New York City Council Funder — Funds the NYC RISE data collection system to track outcomes of Adult Literacy Forward initiative investments.
- New York City Council Government — Funded the $2.5M Adult Literacy Pilot Project supported by the LAC.
- New York City Council Partner — LAC served as coordinator, data analyst, and technical assistance provider for the City Council's Adult Literacy Pilot Project.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Provides customized training and support through its Office of Community Schools and Division of Family and Community Engagement.
- New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Government — Funds Adolescent Literacy after-school programs supported by the Literacy Assistance Center.
+ 25 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adult Literacy as a Tool for Social and Economic Justicemethodology: literacy-for-justiceBy framing adult literacy education as a lever for social and economic justice, the organization increases program engagement and systemic impact because learners and educators are positioned as agents of change, not just recipients of services. This approach links skill-building to broader equity goals, fostering empowerment and policy advocacy.
- Integrated Instruction for Workforce and Academic Readinessmethodology: integrated_adult_educationBy integrating academic and English language instruction with occupational training, the organization improves workforce readiness because learners gain contextually relevant skills that are immediately applicable, increasing retention and real-world outcomes.
- Leadership Development to Advance the Adult Education Fieldmethodology: leadership-development-for-justiceBy preparing adult education leaders to advocate from a foundation of civil and human rights, the organization strengthens the entire field because leadership grounded in justice principles drives systemic reform and sustainable program expansion.
- Policy-Informed Technical Assistance for Systemic Capacity Buildingmethodology: policy-informed technical assistanceBy combining technical assistance with deep policy expertise, the organization strengthens adult education programs because providers can simultaneously meet compliance requirements and align with equity-centered reforms, improving both accountability and mission impact.