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
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
89% rating from Charity Navigator.
SMART Reading holds a Three-Star out of Four Star rating, reflecting its strong performance in accountability and finance, with a score of 88. The organization also excels in leadership and adaptability, achieving a perfect score of 100. Its governance is robust, featuring a fully independent board and well-documented policies, which contributes to its effective oversight and transparency.
User reviews consistently highlight the joy and fulfillment that comes from volunteering with SMART Reading. Volunteers appreciate the rewarding nature of the program, noting the positive impact it has on children's literacy and emotional well-being. Many describe their experiences as not only meaningful in terms of community service but also enjoyable, with a clear sense of camaraderie and progress observed in the children they mentor.
While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, there may be limited information about specific program outcomes or areas for improvement beyond the general enthusiasm expressed by volunteers. However, the organization's commitment to expanding its reach and providing resources to children remains a noted strength in their mission to enhance literacy across Oregon.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Smart Reading?
96% of 46 reviewers on Facebook recommend Smart Reading. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Many users express enthusiasm about the organization, highlighting it as a valuable resource for schools and families. The positive experiences shared by volunteers reflect a strong commitment to supporting students and creating engaging educational environments. One volunteer noted that they have consistently enjoyed their time with both students and fellow volunteers, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the work.
Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with contributors feeling fulfilled and excited about their involvement in Smart Reading. The organization appears to make a significant impact on the community by fostering a love for reading and supporting the educational journey of children.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
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.
Heare 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:
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Official website here: www.smartreading.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Smart Reading?
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.
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Impact
July, 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.
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.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
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
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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
Phone
(971) 634-1634Principal Officer
Jessica Bowersox
Main Address
101 SW MARKET STREET, PORTLAND, OR, 972015701
Website
www.smartreading.orgNTEE Category
Code: B210 - Education
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