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Smart Reading

Learn about this cause: Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 931051724 ✦ Portland, OR ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

Overview

What is Smart Reading?

Smart Reading is a recognized, statewide nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to empowering children for a brighter future through books and reading. With a network of volunteers, educators, donors, and advocates, they aim to provide reading support and books to children from pre-kindergarten to third grade, thereby enhancing their reading skills, self-confidence, and love for reading. Smart Reading partners with over 250 high-need schools and Head Start programs across Oregon, primarily funded by private sources. They achieve this by leveraging private dollars and public infrastructure, enabling thousands of Oregon children to access high-quality, inclusive books. The program, which has served over 266,000 children since 1992, demonstrates significant improvements in reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension for participating students, as confirmed by an independent study. Smart Reading's mission is to spark joy and opportunities through the magic of a shared book.


Official website here: www.smartreading.org

Is Smart Reading legitimate?

Smart Reading is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Smart Reading submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Here are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $290,928
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,818,199

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.smartreading.org

What is the mission statement of Smart Reading?

Smart Reading, a nationwide nonprofit organization, aims to foster joy and opportunities for children through the power of shared books. Their mission is to empower children, primarily from pre-kindergarten to third grade, to achieve more successful futures by enhancing their reading skills, self-confidence, and fostering a lifelong love of reading. They accomplish this by engaging community volunteers to read one-on-one or in groups with children, providing them with new books each month, and partnering with high-need schools and Head Start programs across the state. Smart Reading is predominantly funded by private sources and leverages these funds to provide proven reading support and books to thousands of children in Oregon. The program has been proven to significantly improve children's reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension, with fifth-graders who participated as first-graders being 60% more likely to reach state reading benchmarks than their peers who did not participate.


Official website here: www.smartreading.org

Who is the CEO of Smart Reading?

Jessica Bowersox is the Chair of Smart Reading.


Official website here: www.smartreading.org

What is the revenue of Smart Reading?

Smart Reading's revenue in 2022 was $3,676,711.


Official website here: www.smartreading.org

Who are the executives of Smart Reading and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Smart Reading during 2022 was $43,940. There are 48 employees and 750 volunteers at Smart Reading.

Here are 22 key members and their salaries:

    Chris Otis (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $170,769
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $15,142

    • Amanda Green (Director Of Finance & Admi)
  • Compensation: $97,381
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $12,924

    • Anna Madill (Chair) [Trustee/Director]
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Angela Wilhelms (Vice-Chair) [Trustee/Director]
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Raymond Holiday (Secretary) [Trustee/Director]
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Doug Post (Treasurer) [Trustee/Director]
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Karin Holsinger (Immediate Past Chair) [Trustee/Director]
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Alexis B James (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Johnell Bell (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Ryan Benson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Marito Domingo (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Gus Hedberg (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Jason Halstead (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Natalie Hauser (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • James Linker (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Joe Mueller (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Krista Tappan (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Becky Versteeg (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Nathan Smalley (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Kam Emery (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Sarah Beaubien (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0

    • Tamala Newsome (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


  • Official website here: www.smartreading.org

    Where can I find the form 990 for Smart Reading?

    The Smart Reading’s most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here


    Official website here: www.smartreading.org

    Learn more at the official website: www.smartreading.org

    Mission Statement of Smart Reading

    Smart Reading, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, is committed to sparking joy and opportunities for children through the magic of shared books. Their mission is to empower children in Oregon for more successful futures by providing reading support and books. They achieve this by enlisting volunteers, educators, donors, and advocates to read one-on-one or in groups with pre-kindergarten to third-grade children. The children also receive new books each month to keep and read with their families. Smart Reading partners with high-need schools and Head Start programs across Oregon to deliver books, provide classroom read-aloud opportunities, and offer one-on-one reading support to thousands of children. They have served over 266,000 children since 1992, thanks to the support of over 147,000 volunteers, and have given away over 3.2 million books. An independent study by the Eugene Research Institute reveals that students who participated in Smart Reading as first-graders are 60% more likely to reach state reading benchmarks than similar students who did not participate.

    Impact

    This information is meant to be a general summary of Smart Reading. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.




    Saturday, July 20, 2024

    Smart Reading's impact is significant and far-reaching. The organization's focus on empowering children through books and reading has led to tangible outcomes that benefit the community. Over the years, Smart Reading has served a large number of children, provided them with access to new books, and engaged volunteers in reading support.

    Studies have shown that Smart Reading's programs have a positive effect on children's reading skills, self-confidence, and love for reading. Fifth-graders who participated in Smart Reading as first-graders were found to be 60 percent more likely to reach state reading benchmarks compared to similar students who did not participate. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Smart Reading's approach in improving literacy outcomes for children.

    Feedback from educators and parents also indicates the program's impact. Surveys have revealed that a high percentage of educators and parents believe that Smart Reading significantly contributes to learning and growth for students. Teachers have observed improvements in literacy development among Smart Reading students, with many meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks in reading and comprehension.

    Overall, Smart Reading's mission to spark joy and opportunity through shared books has translated into tangible results that benefit children in Oregon. By providing reading support, access to books, and fostering a love for reading, Smart Reading is making a positive difference in the lives of many children and empowering them for success in learning.





    Financials

    This financial information is from Propublica.

    Revenue
    Expenses
    Efficiency

    Other financial information:

    This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $141,968
  • Program Service Revenue: $66,150
  • Gross Receipts: $3,835,213

    • Assets and Liabilities:
  • Total Assets: $6,625,376
  • Total Liabilities: $242,393
  • Net Assets: $6,382,983
  • Programs

    Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

    CONTRACT REVENUE

    Revenue

    $66,150

    Organization Details

    Founding Year

    1991

    Principal Officer

    Jessica Bowersox

    Main Address

    101 SW MARKET STREET, PORTLAND, OR, 972015701

    NTEE Category

    Code: B210 - Education

    If you are a representative of Smart Reading and wish to learn more about how Give Freely can help you raise funds, please click here: https://givefreely.com/nonprofits/. Our services are offered at no cost to your organization.