Read to Succeed
Read to Succeed is a Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers free adult literacy tutoring, ESL/ELL classes, and youth and family literacy programs to Rutherford County residents, supported by volunteers, donations, and signature annual fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersMurfreesboro, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Read to Succeed does
Read to Succeed is a 501(c)(3) non-profit literacy organization (EIN 20-0175948) founded in 2003-2004 and headquartered at 910-A Ridgely Road, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, operating with 1-10 paid staff and a large volunteer base. It delivers free literacy programs and events to adults and children across Rutherford County, anchored by three program lines: Adult Literacy (one-on-one tutoring in basic literacy, reading, and math), ESL/ELL instruction (in-person at partner churches and Motlow State Community College, online via Zoom, plus English Conversation Hour), and Youth & Family Literacy (Family Literacy Nights, Imagination Station for toddlers/preschoolers, AdLit for adolescents in partnership with ProjectLIT Community, and Classroom Library book distribution to new teachers). Signature recurring events include Reading in the Schools Day (40 schools, 25,000 students, and 2,500 volunteers in 2024), the 6th Grade Read To Bee Championship (22nd annual in 2026), the Celebrity Spelling Bee fundraiser (19th annual in 2025), One Book (with Linebaugh Library), UNPLUG & Read Month, and the RuCo Reading Invasion.
The business model is donation- and event-funded rather than revenue-generating: all programs are provided free of charge to Rutherford County residents, and the Celebrity Spelling Bee is described as supplying "a large majority of the annual operating costs." The 2025 Celebrity Bee raised over $66,000; corporate sponsorships come from Diamond-level partners Redstone Federal Credit Union and Atmos Energy and Platinum-level partners Ingram Content Group, Nissan North America, and Orme Federal Bank. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Distribution is hyper-local, delivered through formal partnerships with Murfreesboro City Schools, Rutherford County Schools, multiple Murfreesboro-area churches, Motlow State Community College, the Governor's Books from Birth Foundation (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), and national affiliates ProLiteracy and the National Center for Families Learning. The organization holds a GuideStar/Candid Transparency Seal and operates with no proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capability, app, or disclosed funding rounds.
Read to Succeed firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Read to Succeed
- Legal name
- Read To Succeed
- Website
- https://readtosucceed.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Read to Succeed is a Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers free adult literacy tutoring, ESL/ELL classes, and youth and family literacy programs to Rutherford County residents, supported by volunteers, donations, and signature annual fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Read to Succeed is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Murfreesboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Read to Succeed business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free literacy programs and events for Rutherford County residents |
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Read to Succeed product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Read To Succeed delivers free literacy programs and events to adults and children in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Its core offerings are one-on-one adult literacy tutoring, ESL/ELL classes (online and in-person), youth and family literacy programs (Family Literacy Nights, Imagination Station, AdLit, Classroom Library), and signature annual community events (Read To Bee, Celebrity Spelling Bee, Reading in the Schools Day, One Book, UNPLUG & Read Month, RuCo Reading Invasion). All programs are provided at no cost to participants and funded through community donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Product overview
Read to Succeed is a non-profit literacy organization serving Rutherford County, Tennessee that offers a comprehensive suite of free literacy programs and events for adults and children. The organization's core offerings include Adult Literacy Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring for adults in basic literacy, reading, math, and ESL), ESL/ELL Classes (available online and in-person), and Youth & Family Literacy Programs (Family Literacy Nights, Imagination Station for toddlers/preschoolers, and AdLit for middle/high school students). The organization also runs signature community events including Read To Bee (6th grade spelling championship), Celebrity Spelling Bee (annual adult fundraiser), Reading in the Schools Day, One Book community reading initiative, UNPLUG & Read Month, and RuCo Reading Invasion. Additional offerings include Citizenship Classes and English Conversation Hour sessions. All programs are free to Rutherford County residents and are supported through donations and fundraising events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adult Literacy Tutoring One-on-one adult literacy tutoring for adults 18 years and older covering basic literacy, reading, math, and English Language Learner skills; free for Rutherford County residents.
- ESL/ELL Classes English as a Second Language and English Language Learner instruction for adults seeking to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities; available online via Zoom and in person at multiple community sites.
- Family Literacy Nights School-based reading time and supervised literacy activities for families, with up to 150 students and families participating per event, including activities designed by education students from local universities.
- Imagination Station Parent-child small group program for toddler and preschool-age children that builds a love of reading through reading and activity stations based on popular children's books.
- AdLit (Adolescent Literacy) Program for middle and high school students providing age-appropriate engaging reading through curated contemporary young adult fiction with peer and adult discussion groups; offered in collaboration with ProjectLIT Community.
- Classroom Library Provides 25 new or gently used children's books to new teachers working at any school district within Rutherford County to support literacy education.
- Reading in the Schools Day Annual one-day reading event that brings volunteer readers into classrooms at Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County elementary schools to celebrate reading.
- Read To Bee Annual 6th grade spelling bee championship featuring students from Murfreesboro City, Rutherford County, and local private schools to promote literacy education; held annually since 2004.
- Celebrity Spelling Bee Annual adult spelling bee featuring community leaders competing for the title of best speller; serves as Read To Succeed's main annual fundraiser and raised over $66,000 in 2025.
- One Book Program Annual community-wide reading initiative run in partnership with Linebaugh Library and other Middle Tennessee nonprofits and businesses to promote reading and unity in Rutherford County.
- UNPLUG & Read Month Community-wide reading initiative in February encouraging children and families to step away from electronic devices and enjoy the benefits of books.
- RuCo Reading Invasion Community gathering celebrating reading held at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro where participants bring something to read and gather with other readers.
- Citizenship Class Classes for adults preparing for U.S. citizenship, covering English language proficiency and civics knowledge needed for the naturalization test.
- English Conversation Hour Informal English practice sessions held via Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month for adults seeking additional speaking practice.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22nd Annual Read To Bee spelling bee engaging 6th graders from multiple schools
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Read to Succeed
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Read to Succeed technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Read to Succeed partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- Redstone Federal Credit Unioncore2026 Read To Bee sponsor. Redstone Federal Credit Union sponsored the 6th Grade Spelling Bee Championship, providing support for the youth literacy competition.
- Linebaugh LibrarycoreOne Book is a partnership between Read To Succeed, Linebaugh Library, and other Middle Tennessee non-profits and businesses to promote reading and unity in Rutherford County. The library serves as a distribution point for free books and hosts One Book events.
- Redstone Federal Credit Unioncore2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee sponsor. Redstone Federal Credit Union is a Diamond Level sponsor of the Read To Bee and contributes to the major annual fundraiser. The partnership helps provide visibility for the literacy organization while supporting community engagement.
- Atmos EnergycoreDiamond Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee, providing major financial support for the annual fundraiser.
- Ingram Content GroupcorePlatinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Nissan North AmericacorePlatinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Orme Federal Bank (ONB)corePlatinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE)coreGold Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee. Also listed as a board member affiliation for member support coordination.
- Publix CharitiessecondarySilver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Brown Financial Group Inc.secondarySilver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Jennings and Rebecca Jones FoundationsecondarySilver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- US Cold StorageminorBronze Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- AscendminorFriend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Wilson Bank & TrustminorFriend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- State Farm Insurance (Andy Womack)minorFriend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Auto Collection of Murfreesboro/Auto Pro of NashvilleminorFriend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- Dempsey Vantrease & Follis, PLLCminorFriend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
- ProLiteracysecondaryRead To Succeed is a member of ProLiteracy, a national organization dedicated to advancing literacy and adult education.
- Literacy Council of Middle TennesseesecondaryListed as a literacy resource partner. The organization works with adults and children who need assistance with basic education skills.
- ProjectLIT CommunitysecondaryAdLit program is made possible by collaboration with ProjectLIT Community, which aims to increase book access and spread a love of reading.
- Governor's Books from Birth FoundationcoreIn partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, GBBF gives all preschoolers in Tennessee the opportunity to receive books in the mail at no cost to families.
- First United Methodist Church (Murfreesboro)secondaryIn-person morning ESL/ELL classes held at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro.
- First Presbyterian Church (Murfreesboro)secondaryIn-person evening ESL/ELL classes held at First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro.
- Motlow State Community College (Smyrna)secondaryIn-person evening ESL/ELL classes held at Motlow State Community College in Smyrna location.
- St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (Murfreesboro)secondarySunday afternoon in-person ESL/ELL classes held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro.
- Murfreesboro City SchoolscoreSchool district partner for Reading in the Schools Day and other youth literacy programs.
- Rutherford County SchoolscoreSchool district partner for Reading in the Schools Day and other youth literacy programs.
- National Center for Families LearningsecondaryListed as a literacy resource partner. NCFL works to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families.
- READ 20minorListed as a literacy resource partner. READ 20 is a public-private partnership promoting reading with children for at least 20 minutes a day.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Read to Succeed competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProLiteracy: National nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing adult literacy and adult education; Read to Succeed is a ProLiteracy member and operates a directly comparable adult literacy tutoring and ESL program stack.
- Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee: Regional nonprofit providing adult basic education, ESL, and family literacy services across Middle Tennessee; operates the same direct-service literacy model in the same Tennessee geography as Read to Succeed.
- Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: National family literacy grant-making foundation operating model programs that combine adult literacy, parenting education, and children's reading; Read to Succeed's Family Literacy Nights and Imagination Station mirror this integrated family literacy approach.
- National Center for Families Learning: National nonprofit focused on family literacy and eradicating poverty through education solutions for families; explicitly listed as a literacy resource partner and operates an overlapping family-and-adult literacy mission.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Book-gifting program delivering free age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age five; Read to Succeed is an Imagination Library affiliate promoting enrollment in Rutherford County.
- Raising A Reader: National family literacy nonprofit running parent-child book bag rotation programs and red literacy programs targeting early childhood; directly comparable to Read to Succeed's Imagination Station parent-child reading program.
Broad incumbents
- Reading Is Fundamental: Largest national children's literacy nonprofit distributing free books and literacy resources to underserved children; overlaps with Read to Succeed's Classroom Library and youth book distribution programs but at national scale.
- Reach Out and Read: National pediatric literacy nonprofit that integrates book distribution and reading guidance into pediatric care; comparable to Read to Succeed's childhood literacy interventions but delivered through a healthcare channel rather than community centers.
- First Book: National nonprofit providing books and educational resources to children in low-income communities; comparable to Read to Succeed's Classroom Library and family book distribution but operating at national scale through educator networks.
Emerging players
- Project Literacy US: Literacy advocacy and program coalition addressing adult and family literacy gaps; comparable mission scope to Read to Succeed's adult tutoring and ESL work, though primarily an advocacy and convening organization rather than a direct-service provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Read to Succeed social profiles
Digital presenceRead to Succeed financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Read to Succeed leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Read to Succeed funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Read to Succeed 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 Read to Succeed
What does Read to Succeed do?
Read To Succeed delivers free literacy programs and events to adults and children in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Its core offerings are one-on-one adult literacy tutoring, ESL/ELL classes (online and in-person), youth and family literacy programs (Family Literacy Nights, Imagination Station, AdLit, Classroom Library), and signature annual community events (Read To Bee, Celebrity Spelling Bee, Reading in the Schools Day, One Book, UNPLUG & Read Month, RuCo Reading Invasion). All programs are provided at no cost to participants and funded through community donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Is Read to Succeed a public or private company?
Read to Succeed is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Read to Succeed founded?
Read to Succeed was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Read to Succeed based?
Read to Succeed is headquartered in Murfreesboro, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Read to Succeed's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProLiteracy, Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, National Center for Families Learning, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Raising A Reader. Broad incumbents are Reading Is Fundamental, Reach Out and Read and First Book. Project Literacy US is listed as an emerging player.
Does Read to Succeed have an API?
No public API is recorded for Read to Succeed.