Literacy Connects is unique in many ways. What may be surprising is that Literacy Connects, unlike many nonprofits of similar size, is not federally or state funded.
The decision to operate free of government restrictions dates back to before the 2011 merger. The decision was made to offer services independent of the individual’s legal status. Stated more simply, documentation is not checked. Any and all are welcome to come to classes if they have a need. Federal and state funding would certainly lessen the burden of raising funds but it would also reduce flexibility and increase restrictions for the organization.
Jennifer Stanowski, Program Director for English Language Acquisition for Adults (ELAA) describes it well. “I absolutely love that we can design programs and use methods that are student-centered. We can ask students what their goals are rather than feed them a prefabricated curriculum. As a result, we are totally focused on, and train our volunteers in, research-based, best practices for teaching adults. Our volunteers are amazing because they put a lot of time into planning and facilitating lessons without a textbook. It’s pretty cool real-life stuff.”
Literacy Connects’ students come first.
Providing service on a large scale without federal or state funding is challenging. Like most nonprofits, some support comes from volunteers and donors. Literacy Connects relies more heavily on those individuals and local businesses.
Nearly 30% of Literacy Connects’ income comes from individual donations. Being supported largely by individuals provides increased financial stability and protection from fluctuations in income and the economy. But for Literacy Connects, growth and the ability to respond to community need depends more heavily on individuals. Therefore there is an elevated sense of value and appreciation for donors that support the organization each year.
Literacy Connects is truly community based and does as much as the community will support.
Literacy Connects is more dependent on volunteers too. Staff is outnumbered by volunteers at a ratio of 36:1. Being heavily volunteer based reduces dependence on funding but volunteers are viewed as much more than a financial gain. Volunteers humble us with their generosity, their time, their love and care of students, their expertise and their dedication.
Literacy Connects walks a more difficult path by not accepting federal or state funding. But it is a path that is welcoming to all and instills the freedom to help in ways that fits students’ needs best.
“It’s all about meeting people where they are… literally. Students see it as being very welcoming”
– Edie Lantz-Leppert, Program Director, Adult Basic Literacy (ABL)
