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Oakland Literacy Coalition

EIN 81-2901834 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Oakland Literacy Coalition was founded on the belief that literacy is a fundamental right and that together, we can create the conditions for children to thrive in reading and beyond. The Oakland Literacy Coalition exists as a dedicated hub for the city's literacy efforts with the mission of working together to ensure that every Oakland child learns and loves to read.Students face many different challenges to reading achievement, both in and out of school, and these barriers cannot be fully addressed through any single program or intervention. The Oakland Literacy Coalition recognizes that a holistic approach is needed to truly create progress citywide. That's why we work as a coalition to weave together the many assets, resources, and efforts serving Oakland kids and families and enable them to learn, collaborate, and champion literacy to achieve a more powerful combined impact.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
10
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$112,956, co-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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% 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 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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

    0 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 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. $340,276 spent. Literacy and Justice for All Symposium: Our annual conference brings educators, nonprofit practitioners, community leaders, and other stakeholders together to learn, strategize, and collaborate to advance reading outcomes.
  2. $226,424 spent. Reading Everywhere: A series of programs and projects, including our Reading Everywhere Action Grants, school-based book distributions, Oakland Reads website, and partnership with the Eat. Learn. Play. Bus, to connect Oakland families with high quality, culturally affirming books and literacy resources.
  3. $181,779 spent. School Library Partnerships: We provide support, volunteers, books, and funding for Oakland Unified School District school libraries.
  4. $100,476 spent. Coalition Building & Learning: We convene dozens of literacy programs and stakeholders across Oakland and provide communications, trainings, and tools to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of the field. We build public awareness about literacy and solutions to improving reading outcomes.
  5. $6,506 spent. Lobbying Activities: We endorsed CA Assembly Bill 1454. We gave support in front of the bill hearing committee and shared information and endorsement with our coalition network encouraging them to support. Our staff is represented on a statewide coalition that meets about the legislation and priorities.

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 August 2016.

    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.