Literacy Together
Literacy Together is a 40-year-old Asheville, NC nonprofit that provides free adult literacy, ESOL, youth literacy, and early-childhood book programs to over 7,000 students annually through 350+ trained volunteer tutors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersAsheville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Literacy Together does
Literacy Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literacy organization headquartered at 31 College Place, B221, Asheville, North Carolina, founded in 1986 (originally as the Literacy Council of Buncombe County, rebranded in 2021). The organization provides free literacy and English-language instruction to adult learners, immigrants, school-age children, and pre-K families across Western North Carolina through four core programs: Adult Literacy (one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing, spelling, math, and GED preparation), ESOL / English for Speakers of Other Languages (including citizenship exam preparation with a reported 100% pass rate among tutored students), Youth Literacy (intensive one-on-one tutoring for low-income children reading below grade level, grades 4–6), and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (monthly free book delivery to children under five, with over 6,000 children enrolled in 2025). All instruction is delivered by trained volunteer tutors (350+ trained in 2025, 220+ active) using research-based methodologies, primarily Orton-Gillingham and the Wilson Reading System, supported by Megawords for phonics and a curriculum library tutors can check out for free.
Literacy Together firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Literacy Together
- Legal name
- Literacy Together
- Website
- https://lit-together.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Literacy Together is a 40-year-old Asheville, NC nonprofit that provides free adult literacy, ESOL, youth literacy, and early-childhood book programs to over 7,000 students annually through 350+ trained volunteer tutors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Literacy Together industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Literacy Education
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy (EDAAAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention (EDANAJAA), Structured Literacy / Orton-Gillingham Intervention Services (EDAKAJAC), Early Literacy & Phonics Programs (EDAMAJAA), Family Literacy (Parent/Child & Intergenerational) (EDAAAAAE), Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD)
Keywords
Where Literacy Together is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Asheville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Literacy Together business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support free literacy programs. The organization ran on an initial budget under $100,000 when founded in 1986.
- Foundation Grants: Foundation grants support rebranding, marketing materials, and program expansion. Won Kudzu Brands contest for $10,000 in pro bono rebranding services.
- Fundraising Events: Annual Authors for Literacy dinner and auction fundraiser raised $75,000 in 2025. Annual Spelling Bee events generate funds and community engagement.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Presenting, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) support events and programs. Major donors include Pisgah Investments, David Baldacci ($25,000 donation), Lewis Real Estate, Aeroflow Health, Hunter Subaru, Carolina Handling, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free literacy programs for all students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Literacy Together product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Literacy Together provides free adult literacy tutoring, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction, youth literacy tutoring, and early childhood book delivery (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library) to residents of Western North Carolina. All instruction is delivered by trained volunteer tutors using research-based methodologies, including the Orton-Gillingham approach and Wilson Reading System curriculum, at no cost to students.
Product overview
Literacy Together is a nonprofit literacy organization offering four core educational programs: Adult Literacy ( GED preparation and basic reading/writing skills), ESOL (English language learning with citizenship tutoring), Youth Literacy (intensive tutoring for struggling readers), and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (early childhood book delivery). All programs rely on trained volunteer tutors providing personalized instruction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Program that mails free age-appropriate books to children under age five monthly until they turn five, creating a home library of up to 60 books.
- The Augustine Project
Products and services
- Adult Literacy Program One-on-one volunteer tutoring for English-speaking adults whose reading, writing, spelling, or math skills are below basic level, including GED preparation and basic skills tracks.
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program
- Youth Literacy Program One-on-one volunteer tutoring for low-income children and youth who read, write, or spell below grade level, providing intensive literacy instruction in reading, writing, and spelling. Formerly known as The Augustine Project.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Free monthly book delivery program for children under age five from birth until age five, building home libraries with age-appropriate books to foster early literacy and a love of reading.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% pass rate for citizenship exam students who received tutoring
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Literacy Together
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Literacy Together technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Literacy Together partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kudzu BrandscoreWon a contest sponsored by Kudzu Brands for $10,000 in pro bono rebranding services. Kudzu Brands guided Literacy Together through the rebranding process from Literacy Council of Buncombe County to Literacy Together and created the new logo.
- Buncombe Partnership for ChildrencoreCollaboration partner for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, targeting families with limited incomes in Buncombe County.
- Verner Center for Early LearningminorFamily literacy partnership. Verner Center for Early Learning, a local Early Head Start and pre-K program, has teaching staff trained as ESOL instructors providing free English classes to parents of children served by Verner.
- Read 2 SucceedminorCommunity literacy program collaboration. Read 2 Succeed focuses on grades K-3, complementing Literacy Together's focus on grades 4-6 youth literacy.
- Youth Transformed for Life (YTL)coreSummer literacy camp partnership providing 8-week summer reading program. YTL serves K-5th graders while Literacy Together provides tutoring support.
- Christine W. Avery Learning CenterminorSummer program partnership providing literacy tutoring services to students in the summer camp program.
- YMCA of Western North CarolinaminorNew collaboration to promote Dolly Parton's Imagination Library through YMCA mobile food markets, reaching families with limited incomes.
- AB Tech Community CollegecoreESOL classes partnership. Students receive 15 hours per week of English lessons combining AB Tech classes with Literacy Together one-on-one tutoring.
- Catholic CharitiescoreAfghan newcomer resettlement support. Working with Literacy Together to provide English tutoring to adult Afghan newcomers through Operation Allies Welcome.
- Lutheran ServicescoreAfghan newcomer resettlement support. Partners with Literacy Together for English teaching to newcomers.
- Goodwill Industries of Northwest NCminorInterview partnership for spreading awareness about Literacy Together and Adult Literacy Program. Goodwill's Mike VanGilder conducted interview with Program Director Rebecca Massey.
- Mills ManufacturingminorOn-site ESOL program partnership at Mills Manufacturing in Woodfin. Program serves employees where over half are non-native English speakers.
- Stephens-Lee Recreation CenterminorYouth Literacy Program partnership with City of Asheville Parks and Recreation. Five teen interns providing literacy instruction through the center's after-school program.
- Bounty and SoulminorESOL class taught at Bounty and Soul location in Swannanoa, providing community-based English instruction.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Literacy Together competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reading Partners: Nonprofit providing one-on-one volunteer tutoring to K-5 students reading below grade level. Closely comparable to Literacy Together's Youth Literacy program in target segment, volunteer model, and intensive tutoring approach.
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): National children's literacy nonprofit providing books and literacy resources to underserved youth. Comparable to the early-childhood and youth literacy missions served by Literacy Together's Imagination Library and Youth Literacy programs.
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Adult Education: Local community college adult education program that Literacy Together directly partners with for ESOL classes. Comparable adult ESOL and basic education programming serving the same regional population.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (national program): National book-gifting program that mails free books to children under 5. Literacy Together operates a local Buncombe County affiliate, making this a directly comparable peer for its flagship early-childhood program.
Broad incumbents
- ProLiteracy: Largest U.S. nonprofit membership organization supporting adult literacy and ESOL programs nationwide. Directly comparable as a national umbrella for community-based literacy instruction of the kind Literacy Together delivers locally.
- Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA): Network of community-based volunteer literacy programs providing free adult and family literacy tutoring. Comparable mission, volunteer-driven model, and adult basic education focus to Literacy Together.
- Laubach Literacy (ProLiteracy New Readers of New York): Heritage volunteer literacy network providing adult basic literacy instruction. Directly comparable volunteer-tutor model and adult ABE focus to Literacy Together's Adult Literacy program.
- Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: National foundation focused on family literacy and adult education programming. Comparable in adult basic education and family literacy mission; key relationship: Janna Lutovsky of Literacy Together has collaborated with this foundation.
Regional players
- United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: Regional funder and convener for Buncombe County nonprofits, including literacy and education initiatives. Comparable as a regional community partner and funding ecosystem in the same geography.
Emerging players
- World Relief (refugee resettlement): National refugee resettlement nonprofit providing ESOL and integration services. Comparable to Literacy Together's Afghan newcomer partnerships through Catholic Charities/Lutheran Services and ESOL program mission.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Literacy Together social profiles
Digital presenceLiteracy Together financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Literacy Together leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Literacy Together funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Literacy Together M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Literacy Together
What does Literacy Together do?
Literacy Together provides free adult literacy tutoring, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction, youth literacy tutoring, and early childhood book delivery (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library) to residents of Western North Carolina. All instruction is delivered by trained volunteer tutors using research-based methodologies, including the Orton-Gillingham approach and Wilson Reading System curriculum, at no cost to students.
Is Literacy Together a public or private company?
Literacy Together is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Literacy Together founded?
Literacy Together was founded in 1986. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Literacy Together based?
Literacy Together is headquartered in Asheville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Literacy Together make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, fundraising Events and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Literacy Together's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reading Partners, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Adult Education and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (national program). Broad incumbents are ProLiteracy, Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), Laubach Literacy (ProLiteracy New Readers of New York) and Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is listed as a regional player. World Relief (refugee resettlement) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Literacy Together have an API?
No public API is recorded for Literacy Together.
What industry is Literacy Together in?
Literacy Together's product category is Adult Literacy Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAAAA, Foundational Reading & Writing Literacy, with a secondary code of EDANAJAA, K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention. Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 8200.