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Delaware County Literacy Council

EIN 23-7423599 · Chester, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH ADULTS WHO WISH TO READ, WRITE, SPEAK AND UNDERSTAND ENGLISH, HELPING THEM TO INCREASE THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN SOCIETY. THE COUNCIL USES VOLUNTEERS TO ENSURE THAT PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE LITERACY COUNCIL SERVED 774 ADULTS IN DELAWARE COUNTY OF SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. AS A RESULT OF WORKING WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL, ADULT STUDENTS ACHIEVED QUANTITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR LIVES INCLUDING IMPROVED BASIC SKILLS, GED ATTAINMENT, EMPLOYMENT OR RETAINED EMPLOYMENT, U.S. CITIZENSHIP, AND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ENROLLMENT. ALL ADULTS SERVICES BY THE LITERACY COUNCIL IMPROVE THEIR LIVES IN SOME WAY INCLUDING READING TO CHILDREN, BECOMING BETTER INFORMED CITIZENS, AND BECOMING ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
28
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$113,003, executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 25

    9 of 9 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. DCLC PROVIDES FREE, HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ADULTS THROUGHOUT DELAWARE COUNTY, INCLUDING BASIC AND ADVANCED SKILLS THAT ARE TRANSFERRABLE TO THE WORKPLACE AND HIGHER EDUCATION. THE THREE LARGEST PROGRAMS ARE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION/GED PREPARATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. DCLC EMPLOYS PROFESSIONAL STAFF, A MAJORITY FULL-TIME, TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH EACH PARTICIPANT'S EDUCATION OR CAREER GOALS. DCLC ALSO PROVIDES A 1-1 TUTORING PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM MORE DIRECT INSTRUCTION. TUTORS ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO COMPLETE A 10-HOUR TRAINING CREATED AND APPROVED BY THE PA DEPT. OF EDUCATIONPRIOR TO WORKING WITH STUDENTS, ANDARE SUPERVISED BY DCLC PROFESSIONAL STAFF.

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 September 1977.

    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.

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