Read to Succeed

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Murfreesboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Redstone Federal Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20262026 Read To Bee sponsor. Redstone Federal Credit Union sponsored the 6th Grade Spelling Bee Championship, providing support for the youth literacy competition.
• Linebaugh LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026One 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 UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 20252025 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 EnergycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Diamond Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee, providing major financial support for the annual fundraiser.
• Ingram Content GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Platinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Nissan North AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Platinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Orme Federal Bank (ONB)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Platinum Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee. Also listed as a board member affiliation for member support coordination.
• Publix CharitiessecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Brown Financial Group Inc.secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Jennings and Rebecca Jones FoundationsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• US Cold StorageminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Bronze Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• AscendminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Friend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Wilson Bank & TrustminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Friend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• State Farm Insurance (Andy Womack)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Friend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Auto Collection of Murfreesboro/Auto Pro of NashvilleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Friend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• Dempsey Vantrease & Follis, PLLCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Friend Level sponsor of the 2025 Celebrity Spelling Bee.
• ProLiteracysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRead To Succeed is a member of ProLiteracy, a national organization dedicated to advancing literacy and adult education.
• Literacy Council of Middle TennesseesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a literacy resource partner. The organization works with adults and children who need assistance with basic education skills.
• ProjectLIT CommunitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdLit 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 FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 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)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-person morning ESL/ELL classes held at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro.
• First Presbyterian Church (Murfreesboro)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-person evening ESL/ELL classes held at First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro.
• Motlow State Community College (Smyrna)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-person evening ESL/ELL classes held at Motlow State Community College in Smyrna location.
• St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (Murfreesboro)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunday afternoon in-person ESL/ELL classes held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Murfreesboro.
• Murfreesboro City SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for Reading in the Schools Day and other youth literacy programs.
• Rutherford County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for Reading in the Schools Day and other youth literacy programs.
• National Center for Families LearningsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a literacy resource partner. NCFL works to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families.
• READ 20minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/readtosucceed
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_GGF7QeehOwifIeFykS4qg
• Facebookfacebook.com/readtosucceedTN
• Instagraminstagram.com/readtosucceed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/read-to-succeed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Read to Succeed