Readers 2 Leaders
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To equip students for success through the power of reading.Readers 2 Leaders envisions a world where all students have equitable opportunities to thrive as readers and leaders, but it will require energy and collaboration from across the educational ecosystem to make that dream a reality. Literacy unlocks brighter futures for children, families, and communities. Thats why Readers 2 Leaders mission is to equip all students for success through the power of reading. With evidence-based tutoring methodologies at the heart of all we do, Readers 2 Leaders prepares children, caregivers, and educators with the tools to read and share reading with others. We reach children with crucial literacy intervention and enrichment at schools, in out-of-school time (OST), at partner nonprofits, and at home, and we prioritize reaching children of color and those who are economically disadvantaged to help close systemic resource gaps that affect these students most. Our diverse staff and leadership seek to
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 26
- Volunteers
- 109
- Highest pay
- $143,445, president & 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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 21% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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 2514 of 14 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 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)
- $1.8 million spent. Readers 2 Leaders (R2L) is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 to close literacy gaps and help children become confident, grade-level readers. In 20242025, R2L reached more than 2,000 students and 400 adults through Tutoring, Coaching, and Family Literacy programs.Tutoring: R2L provides research-based reading support for elementary students during and after school and in the summer. Instruction builds critical,foundational literacy skills. Students consistently demonstrate measurable gains in reading ability, and schools report stronger engagement and confidence among participants.Coaching: Through its Coaching Program, R2L equips teachers and school leaders to strengthen classroom literacy instruction. Coaches collaborate on lesson planning and reading practices, helping improve instructional quality and student outcomes across multiple campuses.Family & Community Literacy: R2L empowers parents and caregivers through family reading workshops and classes. Participants gain tools to support reading at home and create positive literacy habits that reinforce student learning.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.