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Passes our checks

Reading Between the Lines NFP

EIN 82-0921310 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

READING BETWEEN THE LINES CREATES A UNIQUE SPACE FOR THE DISCUSSION OF GREAT LITERATURE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED OR TRANSITIONING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. BY READING TOGETHER AND SHARING INSIGHTS, PARTICIPANTS' VOICES ARE HEARD AND VALUED AS THEY BUILD ON THEIR COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

Income
$117,563
Spending
$381,475
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$102,820, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 224% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $161,376 spent. THE ORGANIZATION USES DISCUSSION OF LITERATURE TO BUILD CRITICAL THINKING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS WITH THE CURRENTLY AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED. THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES DISCUSSION OF SHORT, POWERFUL POEMS AND STORIES EVERY WEEK WITH MEN AND WOMEN INCARCERATED OR LIVING IN TRANSITIONAL RESIDENCES AND HALFWAY HOUSES.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 April 2017.

    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.

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.