The Literacy Alliance Inc.
Literacy Changes Lives.
The Literacy Alliance Inc.
EIN: 35-1710780
as of November 2023
as of November 13, 2023
Mission
Literacy changes lives. Our mission is to empower people and strengthen community through education.
Notes from the nonprofit
We primarily serve low income families and adults and do not charge fees for our services. We rely on the generosity of our community for financial support.
Ruling year
1977
Chief Executive Officer
Melinda Haines
Main address
1005 W Rudisill Blvd Ste 307
Fort Wayne, IN 46807 USA
Formerly known as
Three Rivers Literacy Alliance
EIN
35-1710780
Child educational development
Adult education
Reading promotion
Immigrant services
Population served
Children
Young adults
Older adults
Ethnic and racial groups
Immigrants and migrants
NTEE code
Adult, Continuing Education (B60)
Human Service Organizations (P20)
Human Service Organizations (P20)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reportsWhat we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Project Graduate
Our learning centers provide a structured, yet personal, place for adults who are preparing to take the high school equivalency exam or looking to achieve other educational goals. Adults (age 18 and older) develop individualized study plans after taking an initial assessment. Classes include independent study, small group lessons, and teacher-directed activities for the class. Computers are available in all classrooms. Classes meet in community centers, churches, or other convenient locations for students. All classes are free and offer transportation assistance.
Project Build
Adults work with computers and receive individualized attention, using online resources to gain computer skills and improve basic academic skills. Adults who test below the sixth grade level begin with small groups. Some adults then progress into Learning Centers and work toward their high school equivalency diploma. All classes are free and offer transportation assistance.
One-on-One Tutoring
The Literacy Alliance matches volunteer tutors with adult students who are struggling with the fundamentals of reading, writing, and speaking English.
Project Connect
Classes for adults that teach English language learning: reading, writing, speaking and listening. All classes are free and offer transportation assistance.
Project Reads
Pairs adult volunteer tutors with students in grades K-3 who need help reaching grade-level benchmarks. Tutoring occurs weekly throughout the school year.
Where we work
External assessments
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of adults who received literacy services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and migrants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of students who demonstrate improved overall literacy
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Project Graduate
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The outcomes TLA expects to achieve are academic gains. Success targets: 67% will make gains. Results shown in percentages.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Literacy changes lives. Our mission is to empower people and strengthen community through education.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Literacy Alliance offers free programs in the community:
• Project Build – previously pre-HSE – Adult Basic Literacy Program
• Project Graduate – previously HSE – High School Completion Program
• Project Connect – previously ELL – English Language Learners Program
• Project Aim – Corporate Training Program
• Project Reads – K-3 Reading Program
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2022 info
5.10
Months of cash in 2022 info
4.8
Fringe rate in 2022 info
14%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
The Literacy Alliance Inc.
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Sep 01 - Aug 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Sep 01 - Aug 31
This snapshot of The Literacy Alliance Inc.’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
Created in partnership with
Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $44,567 | $65,258 | $63,797 | $176,978 | -$2,105 |
| As % of expenses | 6.3% | 9.8% | 10.8% | 26.2% | -0.2% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $21,312 | $43,060 | $43,566 | $158,233 | -$18,302 |
| As % of expenses | 2.9% | 6.2% | 7.1% | 22.8% | -1.9% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $722,747 | $709,671 | $675,777 | $1,201,778 | $746,302 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 16.3% | -1.8% | -4.8% | 77.8% | -37.9% |
| Program services revenue | 1.7% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.8% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Government grants | 27.6% | 27.1% | 22.3% | 26.9% | 28.5% |
| All other grants and contributions | 69.9% | 70.0% | 75.5% | 72.7% | 71.0% |
| Other revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% | -0.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $707,837 | $669,152 | $589,092 | $675,975 | $942,222 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 16.9% | -5.5% | -12.0% | 14.7% | 39.4% |
| Personnel | 65.5% | 66.9% | 68.7% | 74.3% | 72.4% |
| Professional fees | 10.4% | 11.8% | 10.1% | 5.2% | 4.3% |
| Occupancy | 6.0% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.0% | 6.1% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 18.1% | 15.0% | 15.1% | 15.5% | 17.2% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $731,092 | $691,350 | $609,323 | $694,720 | $958,419 |
| One month of savings | $58,986 | $55,763 | $49,091 | $56,331 | $78,519 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,063 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $790,078 | $747,113 | $658,414 | $751,051 | $1,074,001 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 4.2 | 4.9 | 8.1 | 7.2 | 4.8 |
| Months of cash and investments | 5.4 | 6.2 | 9.6 | 9.0 | 6.0 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 3.4 | 4.6 | 6.5 | 8.6 | 5.7 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $250,453 | $274,885 | $396,245 | $408,367 | $380,299 |
| Investments | $70,200 | $69,130 | $73,286 | $96,027 | $90,050 |
| Receivables | $38,500 | $42,870 | $64,570 | $470,265 | $288,891 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $220,822 | $230,491 | $178,315 | $191,482 | $228,545 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 59.0% | 66.2% | 68.3% | 73.4% | 68.6% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 16.8% | 17.0% | 24.1% | 5.7% | 8.9% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $289,261 | $332,321 | $375,887 | $534,120 | $515,818 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | $89,635 | $61,527 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $89,635 | $61,527 | $86,419 | $456,196 | $251,337 |
| Total net assets | $378,896 | $393,848 | $462,306 | $990,316 | $767,155 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Chief Executive Officer
Melinda Haines
With more than 30 years of experience in a variety of education, business and non-profit settings, Haines brings extensive communication, administration and collaboration skills to the CEO position, which oversees the implementation of a comprehensive organizational strategy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College and a Master of Business Administration from Purdue Global.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
The Literacy Alliance Inc.
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
The Literacy Alliance Inc.
Board of directorsas of 01/20/2023
Board of directors data
Mr Corey Porter
Lincoln National Foundation
Term: 2022 - 2024
Marna Renteria
Raytheon
Tim Van Houten
Fort Wayne Metals
Corey Porter
Lincoln Financial Group
Michaela Baldwin
Blueprint Test Preparation
Ashley Miller
Northeast IN Regional Partnership
Tammy Allen
Northeast IN Innovation Center
Tracy Davis
Ivy Tech Community College
Kara Densmore
Old National Bank
Ron Duchovic
Retired Educator
Melinda Haines
CEO, The Literacy Alliance
Isabel Nunez
Purdue Fort Wayne
Zachary Barron
Barnes & Thornburg
Susan Baier
Allen County Public Library
Erin Nicolette
Lincoln Financial Group
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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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 ? Yes -
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? Yes
Organizational demographics
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
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 10/30/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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- Letter of Determination
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