Montgomery Coalition for Adultenglish Literacy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 43
- Highest pay
- $127,474, executive director former
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.6 million spent. Capacity Building: Increasing access to high-quality instruction Professional Development MCAEL provides free professional development opportunities for program administrators and instructors throughout Montgomery County to support Staff and ensure quality instruction. Each year, we hold 5 to 6 convenings for program administrators and 8 to 10 instructor workshops and sharing sessions. We also recruit and train much-needed new instructors. Community Grants
- $480,473 spent. Public Engagement: education, advocacy, & community Education Using data and stories, MCAEL educates and engages the public on the power of adult english language learning to transform individual lives and the impact that adult english classes have on the health and economic well-being of our county. Advocacy MCAEL works closely with the Montgomery County government, businesses,
- Program Service Accomplishments:Form 990, Part III, Line 4a:Each year, MCAEL awards grants to support adult english language learning programs in Montgomery County, with funds provided by the Montgomery County Government. The grants both sustain and expand existing programs and help establish new programs, with the goal of increasing the availability and quality of english language instruction.Grant funding decisions are made by a volunteer grant review panel, organized by MCAEL and made up of a diverse group of community members.Community learning groups Responding to a need for english classes in communities that lack learning opportunities, MCAEL developed Community Learning Groups (CLGs), nine-week starter classes provided through partnerships with local schools, community centers, religious institutions, and businesses. The CLG model includes training new instructors, many of whom are members of the same community they are serving.Data analysisMCAEL collects, analyzes, and maps data from adult ESOL programs in the County to illustrate coalition work and impact. Our comprehensive, interactive storymap gives an overview of the adult ESOL landscape, helping mcael and coalition partners to identify areas that most need attention. Schools, and local organizations to advocate for the needs of the coalition and the people we serve. Community to ensure that we are addressing the needs, goals, and lived experience of current and potential learners, mcael has intentionally created welcoming, structured spaces for shared ideas and input:The MCAEL Advisory Group (MAG), made up of ESOL administrators and instructors, provides regular input on programming to ensure that we are responding to the current needs of programs, instructors, and learners. Our newly launched Learner Leadership Group (LLG) elevates learner voices so that their ideas, goals, and experiences are reflected in mcaels network programming and advocacy. MCAEL builds strong connections through in-person and online convenings, meetings, and conferences for the programs and the community.In fiscal year 2024, MCAEL served 514 instructors and program staff through professional development workshops and meetings (total meeting attendance, includes duplicates). All told, MCAEL connected with more than 50 separate organizations through its workshops and meetings for program staff and instructors, biennial professional development conference, and through providing e-news, instructional resources, technical assistance, etc. With funding from Montgomery County, MCAEL awarded about $1.47 million and $1.43 million in grant funding in fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively. The funding supported 24 organizations for 29 programs and 21 organizations for 27 programs, for the years ending June 30, 2025, and 2024 respectively. The Coalition serves about 16,000 adults annually.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.