Reading Assist

What Reading Assist does

Reading Assist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legally Reading Assist Institute) founded in 1989-1990 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, that delivers high-dosage, one-on-one reading tutoring to K-3 students in the lowest 25% of reading proficiency. Its core product is an IMSLEC-accredited multisensory structured literacy intervention built on Orton-Gillingham methodology and the science of reading, delivered by trained AmeriCorps members (Reading Assist Fellows) embedded directly in partner elementary schools. The model combines 60+ hours of pre-service Fellow training, weekly progress monitoring using the Acadience (DIBELS Next) assessment, and monthly reporting to schools, producing outcomes of 85-89% benchmark attainment and 200-700% outperformance of expected reading growth.

The organization's revenue model blends four streams: federal AmeriCorps grants (anchored by a 2023 $1.3M national direct grant totaling $3.9M over three years), individual and foundation donations, school partner contributions that are positioned as cheaper than a single paraprofessional, and a smaller private tutoring line. Distribution is a hybrid sales-led and community-led motion: Reading Assist signs multi-year district and charter partnerships across Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and Washington DC, while simultaneously recruiting AmeriCorps cohorts through applications, information sessions, and university pipelines. As of 2023, Reading Assist served approximately 1,200 students across 40+ elementary schools, supported 100 AmeriCorps members, and operated with 11-50 staff. Strategic emphasis is on geographic expansion (first into Pennsylvania in 2023, then DC), product extension (Educator Training, Literacy Leaders Coaching, Private Tutoring, Summer/After-School programs), and ecosystem buildout (Tutors to Teachers Delaware with Wilmington University, which converts Fellows into state-licensed teachers). Recognition includes the 2025 Library of Congress Literacy Award (Successful Practices Honoree), Delaware Department of Education Accelerate program selection, and being the first Delaware-based AmeriCorps national direct grantee.

Name

Reading Assist

Legal name

Reading Assist Institute

Website

https://readingassist.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Reading Assist is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers high-dosage, one-on-one structured literacy tutoring to K-3 students in the lowest 25% of reading proficiency via AmeriCorps Fellows embedded in 40+ partner elementary schools across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reading Intervention and Educational Tutoring Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Reading Intervention & Remediation (Decoding, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy & Reading Intervention (Phonics, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKADAA), Literacy Intervention & Dyslexia Support Programs (Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAF), Dyslexia & Reading Intervention Programs (EDAMAJAI)

Keywords

• Reading intervention services
• Structured literacy tutoring
• AmeriCorps education programs
• Early literacy instruction
• Multisensory literacy curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Reading Assist operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 51-0317415) funded primarily through individual donations, corporate foundation grants, and charitable giving programs. The organization accepts one-time, monthly, quarterly, and annual donations with suggested amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000+.
2. AmeriCorps Grant Funding: Reading Assist receives federal AmeriCorps grants, including a $1.3 million grant (totaling $3.9 million over three years) for national direct funding that supports 100 AmeriCorps members. This funding enables expansion across Delaware and into Pennsylvania.
3. School Partnership Contributions: Partner schools provide financial contributions that vary based on the number of fellows deployed and length of agreement. The organization states that 'two fellows typically cost less than a single paraprofessional for an entire school year.'
4. Private Tutoring Services: Reading Assist offers private one-on-one tutoring for children needing additional reading support, available in-person in Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania or virtually. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Reading Assist provides high-dosage, one-on-one structured literacy tutoring to K-3 students reading in the lowest 25% of proficiency, delivered by trained AmeriCorps Reading Assist Fellows embedded directly in partner elementary schools. Its flagship offering is the IMSLEC-accredited Reading Assist Intervention Program, a multisensory structured literacy curriculum grounded in the science of reading and Orton-Gillingham methodology. The organization complements school-based delivery with after-school tutoring, summer programs, private tutoring, and educator training/coaching for districts.

Product overview

Reading Assist operates as a nonprofit educational services organization offering a portfolio of structured literacy programs centered on its IMSLEC-accredited Reading Assist Intervention Program. The core offering consists of High-Impact Tutoring delivered by AmeriCorps Reading Assist Fellows, supplemented by After-School Tutoring, Summer Tutoring Program, and Private Tutoring services. The organization extends its reach through Educator Training, the Literacy Leaders Coaching Model, and Science of Reading Resources for schools and educators. The Tutors to Teachers Delaware partnership with Wilmington University provides a pathway for fellows to earn advanced degrees while serving as reading tutors. All programs are grounded in multisensory structured literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading and Orton-Gillingham methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-Impact Tutoring (Reading Assist Fellows) One-on-one reading intervention delivered by trained AmeriCorps members (Reading Assist Fellows) embedded in partner K-3 classrooms for 30-40 minute sessions three or more days per week; designed for students in the lowest 25% for reading proficiency at partner elementary schools and charter schools.
• After-School Tutoring Extended reading instruction delivered after regular school hours, providing one-on-one or small group tutoring to students in grades Pre-K through 4 needing additional reading support beyond the school day.
• Summer Tutoring Program Intensive summer reading intervention delivering one-on-one or two-on-one tutoring to students entering grades Pre-K through 4, focused on phonological awareness and decoding to reduce summer learning loss; delivered via school and community center partnerships.
• Educator Training Professional learning program that trains teachers and reading specialists in the IMSLEC-accredited Reading Assist Intervention Program, a multisensory structured literacy approach based on Orton-Gillingham methodology, available to districts, schools, and individual educators.
• Private Tutoring Individualized one-on-one tutoring for children with reading difficulties or language-based learning disabilities, delivered by certified Reading Assist tutors in-person in Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania or virtually; targeting parents/guardians outside of partner school relationships.
• Literacy Leaders Coaching Model Coaching program that equips existing school educators to deliver structured literacy instruction, with Reading Assist providing a coach for observations, feedback, testing, and monthly check-ins; designed to build sustainable internal capacity at partner schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of students reach benchmarks in at least one early foundational reading skill
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wilmington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTutors to Teachers Delaware partnership allows individuals to earn M.Ed. in Special Education and Delaware state licensure while completing two years as AmeriCorps reading tutors. Fellows can earn $20,000-$50,000 annually in stipends, with tuition reduced to approximately $4,000 after credits and education awards. Teaching residents have 100% post-graduate hire rate.
• Delaware Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to deliver high-dosage tutoring program across Delaware. Reading Assist participates in DDOE's Strategy to Accelerate Learning and was selected for Accelerate's $1 million grant program to serve 280 additional students.
• CitySchools CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of DC coalition of 22 high-impact tutoring providers in the 2025-26 school year. Reading Assist delivers tutoring at Harmony DC Public Charter School and DC Scholars Public Charter School.
• City of Wilmington (Mayor's Office)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mayor John Carney's office and Mrs Wordsmith for summer youth literacy program at Hicks Anderson Community Center and Police Athletic League of Wilmington.
• Chester Upland School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst out-of-state partner school district in Pennsylvania. Reading Assist provides high-dosage tutoring to 63 students across 4 schools (Chester Upland School of the Arts, Edgmont Scholars Academy, Main Street Elementary, Stetser Elementary). 100% of students showed growth, 85% improved benchmark scores.
• PennSERVEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPennsylvania state service commission partnership to grow AmeriCorps presence in Chester, PA region, where no other AmeriCorps programs currently serve.
• Relay Graduate School of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Delaware Department of Education's inaugural Teacher Pathways Showcase to discuss teacher apprenticeships, pathways for paraprofessionals, and alternate routes to teaching careers.
• Mrs WordsmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational publisher partnership with Wilmington mayor's office for summer youth literacy program combining Reading Assist tutoring with Mrs Wordsmith educational materials.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Reading Partners: National nonprofit providing one-on-one literacy tutoring to K-5 students reading below grade level, using volunteer tutors embedded in low-income schools. Most direct comparable to Reading Assist in mission, target population, and in-school delivery model.
• Saga Education: High-impact tutoring nonprofit that pioneered the AmeriCorps national direct model for academic intervention (math focus). Directly comparable on operational model, federal funding mechanics, and high-dosage tutoring in partner schools.
• Innovations for Learning (TutorMate): Nonprofit deploying remote volunteer tutors to deliver one-on-one early reading intervention to K-3 students in Title I schools. Comparable in target population, structured literacy focus, and school-partnership distribution model.
• Literacy Inc (LINC): NYC-based nonprofit coordinating community-based literacy interventions for young children and families. Comparable as a mission-aligned literacy nonprofit with school partnerships and AmeriCorps/Volunteer engagement models.

Broad incumbents

• City Year: AmeriCorps national service program placing near-peer tutors and mentors in schools for broader academic and socio-emotional support. Comparable on the AmeriCorps service-member-in-schools delivery model, though broader than literacy-only.
• Lindamood-Bell: Established commercial provider of structured literacy (sensory-cognitive) instruction and teacher training, serving students with dyslexia and learning differences. Comparable on structured literacy methodology and educator training, though fee-for-service model differs.
• Reach Out and Read: National nonprofit integrating early literacy promotion into pediatric care for children birth through age 5. Adjacent in early literacy mission though different delivery vehicle (clinics vs. schools).

Emerging players

• BookNook: Edtech platform delivering synchronous virtual reading intervention with vetted tutors to K-5 students in districts. Comparable on K-3 reading intervention targeting and school-district buyers, though tech-enabled delivery differentiates from in-person AmeriCorps model.
• Dyslexia Training Institute: Specialized nonprofit providing structured literacy intervention, teacher training, and advocacy for students with dyslexia. Comparable on the structured literacy / Orton-Gillingham methodology and the special-needs reading intervention niche.

Others

• Wilson Language Training: Provider of structured literacy curricula (Wilson Reading System, Fundations) and accredited teacher training used widely in K-12 special education. Comparable as an enabler of structured literacy adoption, though Reading Assist consumes rather than competes with this curriculum category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/readingassist
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reading-assist-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/readingassist
• Xx.com/readingassistde

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reading Assist