PLATINUM2024

FREEDOM TO READ, INC

Changing Lives One Book at at Time

KENOSHA, WI   |  www.freedomtoreadinc.org

Mission

The Mission for Freedom to Read is to change the lives of the people of the Bahamas through free access to literacy. This organization works with the Bahamas Library Services to train and teach library attendants and supervisors, provide print and electronic materials for use in libraries and sponsor literacy services in the out island settlements of the Bahamas. The goal of the organization is literacy for all people of the Bahamas.

Notes from the nonprofit

Freedom to Read, Inc. is a small but MIGHTY literacy organization providing free access to literacy on Eleuthera Island in The Bahamas. We are grateful to be able to support educational opportunity in small settlements where there previously were none.

Ruling year info

2016

Executive Director

Susan Siel

Main address

5953 Fifth Ave.

KENOSHA, WI 53140 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

45-4131271

NTEE code info

Libraries, Library Science (B70)

Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (W99)

Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis (O05)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Our goals are to provide free access to literacy for Bahamians on Eleuthera Island. We have established ten library sites with collections ranging from 1500 to 4200 titles. Along with a print collection we have delivered and set up laptop and desk top computers.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Library Development on Eleuthera Island

We have partnered with the local governments and community activists to develop libraries in small island settlements.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Children and youth

Establishing, Curating, Training and Maintaining public libraries on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas is our passion. Freedom to Read, Inc. currently serve 13 settlements with free access to literacy.

Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Students

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of children who check out books or utilize our computer labs.

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Library Development on Eleuthera Island

Type of Metric

Other - describing something else

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

With 12 library sites as of 12/31/2023, it is challenging to accurately list the number of patrons who visit our libraries. Each site came onboard in different years. This is our be estimate by year.

Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Library Development on Eleuthera Island

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Freedom to Read, Inc. has foreign and domestic volunteers who pay their own expenses for travel and accommodations. We have had as many as 30 volunteers in a given year and as few as 12.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

The goal of our volunteer work is to increase literacy rates in the out islands of the Bahamas by providing free access. In addition to improved literacy rates we also strive to increase job skills. We set up libraries and train local library attendants to circulate materials and provide library services in small settlements.

Our strategies include soliciting print materials to provide collections in small settlements in the out islands of the Bahamas. We manage collections, ship them, set up the libraries and train local library attendants.

We have skilled professionals on our board of directors. Our Executive Director is a High School Library Media Teacher, and our treasurer holds an MBA from George Washington University. We are proud that everyone on our board holds Master's Degrees in Education, Business and/or Nursing. These are all fields that keep us focused on helping others in pursuit of increased literacy.

We have established ten functioning library/computer centers on Eleuthera. There are trained local library attendants on site to manage and maintain the collections and programming.

We are continuing to work hand in hand in collaboration with local governments and community activists in three additional settlements to create in school libraries.

Currently we use Follett Destiny online cataloging in all ten sites.

Financials

FREEDOM TO READ, INC

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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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FREEDOM TO READ, INC

Board of directors
as of 01/28/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Susy Siel

Freedom to Read, Inc.

Bo Palmer

Paula Webb

Emily Goldberg

Melinda Tichelaar

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 2/6/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability