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Reading and Beyond

EIN 77-0508471 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF READING AND BEYOND IS TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE, SELF-RELIANT LIVES. WE OFFER A TWO-GENERATION PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH CHILDREN AND PARENTS TOGETHER TO BUILD EDUCATION, ECONOMIC ASSETS, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND HEALTH AND WELLBEING TO CREATE ECONOMIC SECURITY THAT PASSES FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
11.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
80
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$158,158, 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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. PRESCHOOL: READING AND BEYOND PRESCHOOL IS A HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM PROUDLY OPERATING UNDER THE CALIFORNIA STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM (CSPP). WE SERVE CHILDREN AGES 2.7 TO 4 YEARS OLD, PROVIDING THEM WITH A SAFE, NURTURING, AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT THAT PREPARES THEM FOR KINDERGARTEN AND LIFELONG SUCCESS. OUR CLASSROOMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MATERIALS DESIGNED TO FOSTER CURIOSITY AND HANDS-ON LEARNING. CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, LITERACY SKILLS, PHYSICALS SKILLS, AND SCIENCE SKILLS, WHILE THEIR MATH DEVELOPMENT IS SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR COUNT, PLAY, EXPLORE MATH INITIATIVE, WHICH BLENDS EXPLORATION, PLAY, AND INTENTIONAL TEACHING. (CONTINUED ON SCH. O) (CONTINUED) READING AND BEYOND PRESCHOOL IS PROUD TO HAVE EARNED AN EARLY STARS 5-STAR QUALITY RATING THROUGH THE FRESNO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, DEMONSTRATING OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. TEACHERS PROVIDE ONGOING ASSESSMENTS TO SUPPORT EACH CHILD'S UNIQUE DEVELOPMENTAL JOURNEY AND TAILOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO HELP THEM THRIVE. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL ROLE FAMILIES PLAY IN A CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WE PARTNER WITH PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO STRENGTHEN THE HOME-SCHOOL CONNECTION AND ENSURE EVERY CHILD HAS THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO SUCCEED. READING AND BEYOND SERVED 102 STUDENTS.
  2. $597,366 spent. YOUTH AND FAMILY STRONG - THE YOUTH AND FAMILY STRONG PROGRAM, FUNDED BY THE TITLE II CPGP GRANT, AIMS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH IN YOUTH AGED 14 TO 17. IT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE THROUGH ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE COMMUNICATION, DECISION-MAKING, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS. WORKSHOPS COVER MENTAL HEALTH, SPIRITUAL HEALING, CAREER EXPLORATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORTS AND ARTS FOSTER PEER CONNECTIONS AND PERSONAL INTERESTS. COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS, THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS LONG-TERM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND AIMS TO CULTIVATE CONFIDENT, COMPASSIONATE YOUNG LEADERS WHO POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES. READING AND BEYOND SERVED 74 CLIENTS.
  3. $585,859 spent. BRIDGE ACADEMY - THE BRIDGE ACADEMY IS A MODEL GROUNDED IN FIVE CORE PRINCIPLES: (1) A DUAL-GENERATION THEORY OF CHANGE; (2) BUILDING ON EXISTING COMMUNITY ASSETS; (3) EASE OF ACCESS TO SERVICES; (4) AN A-B-C APPROACH TO SELF-RELIANCE; AND (5) PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FROM CAREER AND FAMILY NAVIGATORS. THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO FOSTER MEANINGFUL GROWTH WITHIN FRESNO, MADERA, AND KINGS COUNTIES' MOST UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS BY ADVANCING EDUCATION, JOB SKILLS, AND WORK EXPERIENCE. DURING THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR, READING AND BEYOND PROUDLY SERVED 504 CLIENTS THROUGH THE BRIDGE ACADEMY MODEL.
  4. $56,515 spent. HEALTH DISPARITIES - THE HEALTH DISPARITIES PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FRESNO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT DESIGNED TO EMPOWER COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN OVERCOMING VARIOUS BARRIERS. THIS INITIATIVE FACILITATES ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES, OFFERS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON MANAGING CHRONIC CONDITIONS, AND CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS WITH ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, FOOD SECURITY, HOUSING STABILITY, AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE HEALTH DISPARITIES PROGRAM STRIVES TO CULTIVATE A HEALTHIER AND MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY MEMBER CAN THRIVE. THIS COLLABORATIVE APPROACH NOT ONLY ENHANCES INDIVIDUAL QUALITY OF LIFE BUT ALSO NURTURES A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. BY ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS, THE PROGRAM REMAINS RESPONSIVE TO EMERGING NEEDS, ENSURING THAT ITS INITIATIVES ARE BOTH IMPACTFUL AND SUSTAINABLE. IN 2024, READING AND BEYOND SERVED 290 CLIENTS.

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 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 June 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 May 1999.

    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.