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Spread the Word Nevada

EIN 22-3829041 · Las Vegas, NV

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE BOOKS TO AT RISK CHILDREN.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
88
Volunteers
4,989
Highest pay
$151,062, ceo

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (5)
  1. $4.9 million spent. KIDS TO KIDS, OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM, REACHES OUT TO AT-RISK CHILDREN (PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE) IN LOW INCOME AREAS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH NEW AND GENTLY USED BOOKS TO DEVELOP THEIR VERY OWN "KEEP AT HOME" LIBRARY OF BOOKS TO LEARN FROM AND SHARE WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE IS TO ENHANCE THE READING ABILITIES OF AND INSTILL A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR READING DURING THE FORMATIVE STAGES OF THE AT-RISK STUDENT POPULATION.
  2. $492,997 spent. BOOKS & BUDDIES IS OUR READING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM WHICH PARTNERS OUR VOLUNTEERS FROM BUSINESSES AND OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE CHILDREN ATTENDING OUR AT-RISK ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. VOLUNTEERS PARTNER INDIVIDUALLY WITH STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON FURTHER DEVELOPING THE CHILD'S READING PROFICIENCY, COMPREHENSION, AND VERBAL RECITATION SKILLS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH VALUABLE ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE CLASSROOM OR IN THE HOME.
  3. $302,926 spent. OUR FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM HELPS INSTILL THE IMPORTANCE OF READING WITH THE CHILDREN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES. BI-MONTHLY, STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND SIBLINGS ARE INVITED TO SHARE IN A LIGHT SNACK AND STORY READING AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WE SERVE. EVERY FAMILY WHO ATTENDS RECEIVES A BRAND-NEW COPY OF THE BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR THEIR FAMILY TO SHARE, AND A SIMPLE OUTLINED LITERACY EXPANSION ACTIVITY TO TAKE HOME AND IMPLEMENT WHICH REINFORCES THE CONCEPTS PRESENTED DURING THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, EVERY PERSON WHO ATTENDS RECEIVES A BOOK OF THEIR CHOICE TO TAKE HOME AND CONTINUE TO BUILD THEIR HOME LIBRARY.
  4. $559,186 spent. READERS IN TRAINING IS A LITERACY-BASED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-5 YEARS. IT IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN PREPARING CHILDREN FOR PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN. FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATE RECEIVE ONE NEW AGE- APPROPRIATE BOOK MAILED DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES MONTHLY, ACCESS TO ONLINE CONTENT THAT SPECIFICALLY TARGETS SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS AND HELPS FAMILIES PRACTICE THESE SKILLS IN THE HOME, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN QUARTERLY IN-PERSON PLAYGROUPS THAT WILL ALLOW CHILDREN PRACTICE SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS IN A CLASSROOM TYPE SETTING.
  5. READERS IN TRAINING IS A LITERACY-BASED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-5 YEARS. IT IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN PREPARING CHILDREN FOR PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN. FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATE RECEIVE ONE NEW AGE- APPROPRIATE BOOK MAILED DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES MONTHLY, ACCESS TO ONLINE CONTENT THAT SPECIFICALLY TARGETS SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS AND HELPS FAMILIES PRACTICE THESE SKILLS IN THE HOME, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN QUARTERLY IN-PERSON PLAYGROUPS THAT WILL ALLOW CHILDREN PRACTICE SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS IN A CLASSROOM TYPE SETTING.

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

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.