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Reading Legacies

EIN 27-0523331 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AS VALUED FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH INTERGENERATIONAL SHARED-READING EXPERIENCES.

Income
$520,143
Spending
$512,747
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
11
Volunteers
130
Highest pay
$74,606, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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. $45,309 spent. GRANDPARENT STORYBOOKS - ENHANCES INTERGENERATIONAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS BY SHARING MEMORIES AND FAMILY VALUES THROUGH STORYBOOKS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GENERATIONS AS THEY READ ALOUD TOGETHER, USING TECHNOLOGY TO BRIDGE GEOGRAPHICAL SEPARATIONS AND TO ENHANCE FAMILIAL INTERACTIONS. SENIORS ARE COACHED AND RECORDED ON VIDEO READING A FAVORITE BOOK TO THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND OTHER LOVED ONES. THE RECORDING AND BOOK ARE SENT TO THE FAMILY TO BE ENJOYED AND CHERISHED TIME AND AGAIN.
  2. $50,755 spent. YOUTH READERS - IMPACT HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AGED YOUTH THROUGH SEMESTER-LONG COMMITMENT OF READING ALOUD WEEKLY TO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES. ADULT VOLUNTEERS PARTNER WITH THE YOUTH PARTICIPANTS TO PROVIDE TRAINING, GUIDANCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT. AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER, THE YOUTH HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THEIR PARENTS AND THE PARENTS OF THE YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE FOLLOWED BY A SPECIAL EVENT TO CONGRATULATE THE YOUTH FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE.
  3. $236,975 spent. BOOKS BRIDGES - HELPS CHILDREN TRANSCEND THE BARS THAT SEPARATE THEM FROM THEIR INCARCERATED LOVED ONES. PARENTS ARE TRAINED TO READ ALOUD TO THEIR CHILDREN ON VIDEO, FORMING HEALTHY AND LASTING BONDS AND LEARNING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF READING ALOUD WITH CHILDREN. VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS OFFER TIPS AND TOOLS TO MAKE THE SHARED READING EXPERIENCE FUN AND VALUABLE TO THE CHILD. AFTER THE INCARCERATED PARENTS READ ALOUD ON VIDEO, THE VIDEO LINK AND STORY BOOK ARE SENT TO THE CHILDREN AT HOME TO BE ENJOYED TIME AND AGAIN.
  4. $131,853 spent. FIRST TEACHERS - PROVIDES A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS THAT ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO TRUST THEIR INSTINCTS, GATHER RESOURCES, AND READ ALOUD REGULARLY TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENGAGE PARENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION.
  5. FIRST TEACHERS - PROVIDES A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS THAT ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO TRUST THEIR INSTINCTS, GATHER RESOURCES, AND READ ALOUD REGULARLY TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENGAGE PARENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.