Ferst Readers Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FERST READERS PROVIDES BOOKS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PREPARE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FOR READING AND LEARNING SUCCESS. PROVIDING LITERACY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, BIRTH TO FIVE, AND FAMILIES, FERST READERS STRIVES TO IMPROVE SCHOOL READINESS AND EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $135,015, president / ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $2.2 million spent. CHILDREN, BIRTH TO FIVE, WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE FERST READERS PROGRAM RECEIVE A FREE, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK EVERY MONTH IN THE MAIL ALONG WITH LITERACY SUPPORT RESOURCES FOR PARENTS THAT HELP CREATE A LANGUAGE-RICH ENVIRONMENT IN THE HOME. THE FERST READERS PROGRAM INCREASES CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO PRINT AND EARLY LANGUAGE EXPERIENCES SO THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF ENTERING SCHOOL WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED. COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMS, COMPRISED OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS, IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY RAISING FUNDS, REGISTERING CHILDREN AND PARTNERING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO RAISE AWARENESS AROUND THE EARLY LITERACY ISSUE. PARTNER ACTION TEAMS ARE DIRECT FUNDERS WHO CHOOSE TO SUPPORT A SPECIFIC GROUP OF CHILDREN FOR PROGRAM ENROLLMENT.
- FERST READERS ADMINISTERS THE GEORGIA RURAL LIBRARIES INITIATIVE WHICH PROVIDES MULTI-YEAR GRANTS TO TWO COUNTY LIBRARIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN GEORGIA. THESE GRANTS SERVE TO ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING RESOURCES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES PRIMARILY THROUGH EXISTING PUBLIC LIBRARIES. FERST READERS SERVES AS FISCAL AGENT FOR GRANTS PROVIDED THROUGH THE GREATER ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR.
- FERST READERS SERVES AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR TOOMBS COUNTY FAMILY CONNECTION/GET TOOMBS COUNTY READING CAMPAIGN, A LOCAL COLLABORATION THAT SUPPORTS THE STATEWIDE "GET GEORGIA READING" CAMPAIGN, THROUGH GRANTS FROM THE LITERACY FOR ALL FUND. THE GTCRC PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LITERACY-RELATED SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN TOOMBS COUNTY INCLUDING THE FERST READERS PROGRAM.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 July 1999.
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.