Literacy New Jersey
Literacy New Jersey is a 1979-founded nonprofit providing free adult literacy, ESL, GED, digital literacy, and citizenship-prep instruction across New Jersey through 1,487 trained volunteer tutors and a 12-affiliate network serving 7,135 learners annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersEdison, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Literacy New Jersey does
Literacy New Jersey is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, that provides free adult literacy instruction across the state. Its core service offering is individualized and small-group tutoring delivered by trained volunteer tutors (1,487 tutors in FY25 contributing an estimated $3.9 million in in-kind value) covering English as a Second Language, GED preparation, basic literacy in reading/writing/math, digital literacy (including Northstar Digital Literacy certification), U.S. citizenship test preparation, and job readiness. The organization operates a hub-and-spoke delivery model with a central headquarters and eight regional offices (Willingboro, Long Branch, Newton, Woodbury, Pleasantville, Hamilton, Kearny, Roselle) supplemented by an affiliate network of 12 partner programs that collectively reach all 21 New Jersey counties.
The underlying "technology" stack is operational rather than software-based: a 15-hour volunteer tutor training curriculum, proprietary lesson plans (e.g., ESL conversation group curricula, health literacy materials), student magazines, and an AmeriCorps service-member pipeline (Adult Literacy Educator and Digital Navigator positions serving 10-20 hours per week). In FY25 the organization reports 7,135 students served, 245,161 learning hours delivered, and 14,500 life-changing goals achieved. A 2025-added ChatGPT workshop extends the curriculum into AI-assisted lesson planning for tutors. Supporting infrastructure includes a multi-language website (English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese), an annual Literacy for Life conference at The College of New Jersey, and an active Instagram channel.
The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than transactional: all learner-facing services are free. Revenue streams include individual donations (including an annual 3 Day Online Challenge), foundation and corporate grants (AmeriCorps Public Allies $100K in 2024; Princeton Area Community Foundation; NJ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission), conference registration fees ($30-$150) and sponsorships ($500-$5,000 tiers), and federal AmeriCorps support. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors drawing from Ballard Spahr, NJ Natural Gas, Stark & Stark, and L&T Mindtree, and is led by CEO Elizabeth Gloeggler and COO Jessica Tomkins.
Literacy New Jersey firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Literacy New Jersey
- Legal name
- Literacy New Jersey
- Website
- https://literacynj.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Literacy New Jersey is a 1979-founded nonprofit providing free adult literacy, ESL, GED, digital literacy, and citizenship-prep instruction across New Jersey through 1,487 trained volunteer tutors and a 12-affiliate network serving 7,135 learners annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Literacy New Jersey industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Literacy Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy (EDAAAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC), Health Literacy (Navigating Care, Medication, Preventive Info) (EDAAAAAF)
Keywords
Where Literacy New Jersey is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
Literacy New Jersey business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting adult literacy programs. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including the 3 Day Online Challenge.
- Corporate/Foundation Grants: Grant funding from foundations and community organizations, such as Princeton Area Community Foundation grants supporting Mercer County nonprofits.
- Conference Revenue: Registration fees for annual Literacy for Life professional development conference: $150 general, $80 member, $30 adult learner. Vendor tables sold at $300 each.
- Conference Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship tiers for the annual conference: Conference Benefactor ($5,000), Literacy Partner ($2,500), Literacy Champion ($1,000), Literacy Patron ($500).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Adult Literacy Instruction |
| Other | One-time | Conference Registration - General |
| Other | One-time | Conference Registration - Member |
| Other | One-time | Conference Registration - Adult Learner |
| Other | One-time | Conference Vendor Table |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Literacy New Jersey product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Literacy New Jersey provides free adult literacy instruction in reading, writing, math, and English language skills through a network of 1,487 trained volunteer tutors and 12 affiliate programs across 12 New Jersey counties. Services include ESL, GED preparation, U.S. citizenship test prep, digital literacy (Northstar certification), basic literacy, and job readiness, supported by a 15-hour tutor training curriculum, AmeriCorps service positions, and statewide affiliate coordination.
Product overview
Literacy New Jersey is a nonprofit adult literacy organization that operates as a network-based service provider rather than a traditional software product company. The core offering is free adult literacy instruction through trained volunteer tutors, delivered across 12 New Jersey counties via direct programs and affiliate organizations. The main service programs include ESL (English as a Second Language), GED preparation, Digital Literacy, Citizenship Test Preparation, Basic Literacy (Reading, Writing & Math), and Job Readiness. The organization also runs an AmeriCorps program with positions for Adult Literacy Educators and Digital Navigators. Supporting offerings include volunteer tutor training (15 hours), annual Literacy for Life conferences, student magazines, and curated lesson plan resources. The organization supports a network of affiliate programs across the state with professional development and technical assistance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adult Literacy Instruction Free individualized instruction to adults in reading, writing, math, and English language skills, delivered by trained volunteer tutors working one-on-one or in small groups. Open to adult New Jersey residents seeking literacy improvement, English acquisition, or skill-building.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Free English-language instruction enhancing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills delivered in a small-group setting with a volunteer tutor. Targeted at adult English language learners in New Jersey.
- High School Equivalency (GED) Preparation Free classes preparing adult learners to pass the GED exam across essential subjects and test-taking strategies; includes assistance with GED exam scheduling and payment. For adults without a high school diploma seeking credentialing for employment and education.
- Digital Literacy Free instruction building basic computer skills and essential digital tools (Microsoft Office, social media) with opportunities to earn nationally recognized Northstar Digital Literacy certifications. Targeted at adults needing digital skills for employment and daily life.
- U.S. Citizenship Test Preparation Free preparation for the U.S. Citizenship naturalization test and interview, covering the 100 USCIS civics questions and interview practice. Targeted at Green Card holders seeking U.S. citizenship.
- Basic Literacy: Reading, Writing & Math Skills Free instruction improving reading and writing fluency and developing fundamental math skills for adult learners. Targeted at adults lacking foundational literacy or numeracy.
- Job Readiness Free instruction teaching job search and application skills, resume creation, interview preparation, and use of digital tools used in modern job searches. Targeted at adults seeking employment or better job market skills.
- AmeriCorps Program (Adult Literacy Educator and Digital Navigator service positions) Service-year AmeriCorps positions (Adult Literacy Educator and Digital Navigator) at Literacy NJ and affiliate programs where members serve 10-20 hours per week tutoring adults in English, reading, writing, math, GED prep, and citizenship, while earning a living allowance, education award, training, and ongoing support. Recruits recent graduates and community-minded individuals statewide.
- Volunteer Tutor Training Free 15-hour training program preparing community volunteers to become effective adult literacy tutors, including instructional methods, lesson planning, student matching, and ongoing support. Targeted at New Jersey community members willing to commit roughly two hours per week to tutor.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7,135 adult learners served in FY25 across NJ
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Literacy New Jersey
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Literacy New Jersey technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Literacy New Jersey partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- AmeriCorpscoreAmeriCorps members serve 10-20 hours per week at Literacy NJ and affiliate programs across NJ, receiving stipends while providing essential support to expand adult literacy program capacity. Members receive living allowance, education award, training, and ongoing support.
- ProLiteracycoreNational organization providing online courses, webinars, and resources. Literacy NJ creates and shares instructional materials and training on adult literacy topics, aligned with ProLiteracy resources.
- USCISsupportingPartnership for citizenship test preparation resources. Literacy NJ directs students to USCIS website for 100 civics questions on the naturalization test.
- The Change AgentsupportingOnline magazine for adult educators and learners focusing on social justice topics including peace, media, immigration. Literacy NJ facilitates access for tutors and students.
- LVA Essex-Passaic CountiescoreAffiliate member program providing adult literacy services. Provides robust list of resources for both tutors and students including transportation, finances, healthcare, immigration services, and special needs support.
- The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)supportingHost venue for annual Literacy for Life conference at Brower Student Center. Conference features workshops, keynote speakers, and networking at TCNJ campus.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Literacy New Jersey competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProLiteracy: National nonprofit umbrella organization for adult literacy programs. ProLiteracy is explicitly named as a strategic partner of Literacy NJ, providing curriculum, webinars, and resources. It is the direct national parent analog operating at scale above the NJ affiliate level.
- Literacy Council of Montgomery County: Maryland adult literacy nonprofit providing free tutor-led ESL and ABE services to adults. Closely matches Literacy NJ's small-group, community-volunteer delivery model with similar learner outcomes and referral pathways.
- Literacy Pittsburgh: Regional adult literacy nonprofit serving the Pittsburgh area with volunteer tutors delivering free ESL, ABE, and workforce literacy services. Operates on a similar community-based, free-instruction model with comparable learner demographic (immigrants, GED seekers).
- Literacy Minnesota: Statewide adult literacy nonprofit operating across Minnesota with volunteer-tutor delivery, ESL/GED/digital literacy services. Closely mirrors Literacy NJ's hub-and-spoke model with regional program affiliates and statewide umbrella positioning.
- Literacy Together: North Carolina adult literacy nonprofit serving Buncombe County with ESL, ABE, and citizenship prep via volunteer tutors. Comparable mission scope and reliance on community library partnerships for tutoring sites.
- Literacy Network of Dane County: Wisconsin-based adult literacy nonprofit offering free ESL, ABE, and citizenship instruction via trained volunteers. Comparable in service breadth (ESL + digital + citizenship) and use of community-located tutoring sites.
- Literacy DuPage: County-level adult literacy nonprofit in DuPage County, IL using trained volunteer tutors to deliver free ESL, ABE, and citizenship prep. Highly comparable in scale, county-coverage model, and service mix to a single Literacy NJ affiliate program.
Broad incumbents
- Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit whose mission includes workforce development and adult literacy/digital-skills training. Operates at significantly larger scale across all 50 states and overlaps on the job-readiness and digital literacy segments served by Literacy NJ.
- Berlitz Corporation: Established global for-profit language instruction provider serving individuals and corporations with paid ESL and foreign-language classes. Adjacent competitor on the ESL segment of Literacy NJ's curriculum but commercial-pay and tutor-led in classroom format.
Regional players
- Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (SW BOCES) Adult Education: New York-based regional adult education provider offering ESL, HSE/GED prep, and workforce literacy services funded by NY state aid. Mirrors Literacy NJ's adult basic education service mix but operates under a different state funding model in an adjacent geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Literacy New Jersey social profiles
Digital presenceLiteracy New Jersey financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Literacy New Jersey leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Literacy New Jersey funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
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Literacy New Jersey M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Literacy New Jersey
What does Literacy New Jersey do?
Literacy New Jersey provides free adult literacy instruction in reading, writing, math, and English language skills through a network of 1,487 trained volunteer tutors and 12 affiliate programs across 12 New Jersey counties. Services include ESL, GED preparation, U.S. citizenship test prep, digital literacy (Northstar certification), basic literacy, and job readiness, supported by a 15-hour tutor training curriculum, AmeriCorps service positions, and statewide affiliate coordination.
Is Literacy New Jersey a public or private company?
Literacy New Jersey is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Literacy New Jersey founded?
Literacy New Jersey was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Literacy New Jersey based?
Literacy New Jersey is headquartered in Edison, United States, in the North America region.
How does Literacy New Jersey make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate/Foundation Grants, conference Revenue and conference Sponsorships.
Who are Literacy New Jersey's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProLiteracy, Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Literacy Pittsburgh, Literacy Minnesota, Literacy Together, Literacy Network of Dane County and Literacy DuPage. Broad incumbents are Goodwill Industries International and Berlitz Corporation. Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (SW BOCES) Adult Education is listed as a regional player.
Does Literacy New Jersey have an API?
No public API is recorded for Literacy New Jersey.
What industry is Literacy New Jersey in?
Literacy New Jersey's product category is Adult Literacy Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAAAA, Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy, with a secondary code of EDAAAAAC, Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.