irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.78MCONFERENCE - THE READING LEAGUE ANNUALLY HOLDS A CONFERENCE AND SUMMIT. SPEAKERS INCLUDE EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCE OF READING WHO PRESENT ON VARIOUS TOPICS CENTERED AROUND EVIDENCE-ALIGNED PRACTICES. IN 2024, THERE WERE OVER 3,000 ATTENDEES.
- #2 $331KMERCHANDISE SALES - THE READING LEAGUE OFFERS PROFESSIONAL BOOKS AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING DECODABLE BOOKS FOR CLASSROOM USE THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THE SCIENCE OF READING TO SUPPLEMENT CUSTOMERS' SCIENCE OF READING JOURNEY, AS WELL AS LOGOED MERCHANDISE.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Conference and Summit
Brings together experts in the science of reading to present on evidence-aligned instructional practices; served over 3,000 attendees in 2024
Live Events, Symposia, and Podcasts
Hosts live and virtual events featuring experts discussing evidence-aligned literacy practices, some offered free or with nominal fees
Science of Reading Merchandise and Resources
Sells professional books, decodable classroom books aligned with the science of reading, and branded merchandise
The Reading League Journal
Peer-reviewed publication focusing on applying scientific evidence to literacy instruction, published three times per year
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Teacher Professional Development 4 activities
- Improvement of teacher licensure exam pass ratesSupports educator preparation programs to improve Foundations of Reading pass rates, achieving increases of over 30 percentage points among more than 1,300 annual teacher candidates, with pass rates reaching 90% for elementary and 98% for special education candidates, and approximately 95% at one university within one year.
- Instructional video and learning repository creationCreated over 80 instructional videos and a centralized learning repository to support evidence-based learning strategies such as retrieval practice and dual coding.
- Professional learning and capacity building for educatorsOffers virtual and in-person professional learning institutes, coaching, and tailored partnerships to build educator and school leader knowledge in foundational literacy skills, language comprehension, assessment, and implementation based on the science of reading. Includes multi-state leadership institutes and ongoing support for district-level literacy systems.
- Sale of educational materialsSells professional books, decodable books for classroom use aligned with the science of reading, and logoed merchandise to support educators’ implementation of evidence-aligned literacy instruction.
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Literacy Program Funding 2 activities
- Curriculum redesign and educator preparation program collaborationSupports higher education institutions and educator preparation programs through curriculum redesign, faculty professional learning, and collaborative inquiry, including engagement of over 35 faculty from eight universities in LETRS training and course redesign funded by the Lilly Endowment Literacy Grant.
- Funding support for educator implementationProvides funding support to educators implementing science of reading practices, including through grants such as the Lilly Endowment Literacy Grant.
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Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 2 activities
- Free and purchasable resource distributionMakes The Science of Reading: Defining Guide available as a free downloadable resource and for purchase in hard copy, and creates Curriculum Navigation Reports to support evidence-aligned reading instruction.
- State chapter network developmentOperates a network of 46 state chapters to advance evidence-aligned reading instruction at the local level, supporting grassroots advocacy and dissemination of science of reading practices.
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Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 1 activity
- Annual conference and live event hostingHosts an annual conference and summit featuring experts in the science of reading presenting on evidence-aligned instructional practices, with 1,448 attendees in 2023 and over 3,000 in 2024. Also organizes symposia, podcasts, and virtual live events offered at low or no cost and supported by sponsorships.
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Summer and Seasonal Reading Programs 1 activity
- National book study and continuing education offeringsOrganizes a national book study focused on adolescent literacy with live events and offers up to six free continuing education units (CEUs) to participants who attend all sessions, centered on the book *Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students*.
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Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Peer-reviewed research publicationPublishes a peer-reviewed journal three times per year that focuses on applying scientific evidence to improve literacy instruction, authored and edited by educators and researchers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.21M
Contributions & grants$2.26M28%
Program service revenue$4.78M58%
Investment income$318K4%
Other revenue$847K
expenses
Total expenses$7.75M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$3.10M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$11.85M
Cash$3.10M
Investments$5.87M
Liabilities$6.23M
Net assets$5.62M
Liquid reserves13.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIA MURRAY | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $232K |
| CHRISTINE GOODMAN | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER | 40 | $202K |
| HEIDI BEVERINE-CURRY | CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER | 40 | $191K |
| TONI ANN WALSH | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $168K |
board members · 16
- AMY SIRACUSANO — VICE CHAIR
- ANTONIO FIERRO — MEMBER
- DEBORAH STUCK — MEMBER
- DESMOND WILLIAMS — MEMBER
- EIMAN ABDULRAHMAN — MEMBER
- JILL RYAN — TREASURER
- LAWRENCE SALAMINO — MEMBER
- LINDA MILOSKY — MEMBER
- MARIA MASTRIANO — MEMBER
- MATTHEW NICHOLL — MEMBER
- MICHELLE STORIE — MEMBER
- MITCHELL BROOKINS — MEMBER
- SARAH GAFFNEY — MEMBER
- SHEILA CLONAN — MEMBER
- STEPHANIE FINN — CHAIR
- TIA JACKSON — MEMBER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Partner — Participated in AACTE Washington Week to discuss federal education policy and advocate for investment in educator preparation.
- Andreia Simon Partner — Vice President – Educational Partnerships at The Reading League.
- Center for the Collaborative Classroom Partner — Collaborates on research and resources related to aligning systems of support for readers.
- Deans for Impact Partner — Engaged with leaders from Deans for Impact during Washington Week discussions on federal grants and educator preparation.
- Dr. Leslie Laud Partner — Collaborated with The Reading League to deliver training on thinkSRSD at a Professional Learning Day.
- Hotel Shattuck Plaza Partner — Host venue for the Northern California Professional Learning Institute in 2026
- Jeanne Schopf Partner — Featured speaker in the Book Study Kickoff event.
- Kari Kurto Partner — Director of Policy and Partnerships at The Reading League.
- Lilly Endowment Funder — Provided grant funding to support WGU’s literacy curriculum redesign and implementation of Science of Reading-aligned instruction.
- Louisa Moats Partner — Special guest in the Book Study Kickoff event.
- Marriott Suites Anaheim Partner — Host venue for the Southern California Professional Learning Institute in 2026
- National Center for Teacher Residencies Partner — Referenced in discussion of cross-sector partnerships to strengthen educator preparation.
- State Chapter Network Network — Network of 46 state-level groups advancing evidence-aligned reading instruction in alignment with The Reading League's mission.
- The Reading League’s Reading Buddies™ Partner — Program maintained for use by teachers and families to support reading instruction.
- Utah State Board of Education Government — Employed a literacy specialist to support statewide implementation of Science of Reading in educator preparation programs.
- Western Governors University Partner — Collaborated on the redesign of literacy preparation courses and implementation of evidence-based practices in teacher preparation.
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.
- Collective Impact and Community Advocacymethodology: collective_impactBy mobilizing a broad community of educators, parents, and advocates and promoting cross-organizational collaboration, the organization drives systemic change in literacy instruction because shared goals and unified action amplify reach and sustainability.
- Research-Informed Professional Learningmethodology: research-informed_professional_learningBy transforming educator preparation and professional development to include active learning, modeling of evidence-based practices, and application over content addition, the organization improves instructional quality because candidates internalize and implement effective practices more effectively.
- Science of Reading Implementationmethodology: science_of_readingBy equipping educators and leaders with knowledge and tools grounded in the science of reading and science of learning, the organization improves student reading outcomes because teacher expertise and instructional coherence are strengthened through evidence-based practice.
- System Coherence and Alignmentmethodology: system_coherenceBy aligning instructional materials, professional learning, leadership, and policy across systems, the organization enables sustainable literacy reform because coherent, integrated systems reinforce consistent practice and accountability.