Overview
 
   
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History

  
 
The Reading Excellence and Discovery (READ) Foundation was established in 1999 to address the high proportion of low-income students demonstrating below grade level reading skills. READ’s founders sought a research-based educational approach which would yield measurable results for students and address reading difficulties before they became barriers to learning. At the same time, they sought growth opportunities for economically disadvantaged New York City teens. Several elements proven to have positive effects for student learning were brought together to create READ programming. These elements include individualized instruction, cross-age tutoring provided by trained peers, phonics instruction and positive reinforcement.
 
 
 
 
 

Mission

  
  READ employs one-on-one research-based reading instruction to prepare at-risk children to become proficient readers. READ recruits, trains and employs teens to teach reading skills to their younger peers who are struggling with learning to read. READ targets economically disadvantaged students and teens.  
 
 
 
 

Awards and Recognition

 
 

Charity Navigator, a leading charity evaluator, has recently recognized READ with a 4-star rating for fiscal management and growth.  Charity Navigator reports that less than a quarter of the charities they assess have received this (their highest) rating.  http://www.charitynavigator.org

Contribute Magazine, a monthly publication dedicated to “providing the donor community with engaging and responsible coverage of the philanthropic world to promote more effective giving:, listed READ as one of 200 investor-worthy charities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in their November/December 2007 issue.

New York Life Foundation Youth in Action Award recognizes innovative programs that engage youth in helping to provide services that support the Foundation's Nurturing the Children initiative. READ was honored as one of five organizations chosen across the five boroughs of New York City to receive this award in 2004.

The Manhattan Institute Award for Social Entrepreneurship “honors non-profit leaders who have found innovative, private solutions for America’s most pressing social problems.” READ’s unique approach was recognized when our Board Chair, Al Sikes, was chosen as one of only four recipients nationwide to receive this award in 2004.