The Literacy Lab
The Literacy Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Washington DC, that places trained Fellows in Pre-K classrooms across five U.S. regions to deliver evidence-based early-literacy instruction to children from low-income families, funded entirely through grants and philanthropic donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Literacy Lab does
The Literacy Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that delivers evidence-based early-literacy instruction to children from low-income families. Its core product is a year-long Fellowship program that places trained Fellows into Pre-K classrooms five hours per day across five operating regions (Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Atlanta), with active expansion into a seventh region including Boston. In SY2024-2025, 110 Fellows served 1,751 students and delivered 73,256 instructional sessions at 92% implementation fidelity; kindergarten readiness among served students improved from 3 in 10 to 6 in 10 over the school year. Supporting program lines include Clubs by The Literacy Lab (with Explorers for Pre-K-Grade 1 and Studios for Grades 2-5), a Workforce Development pathway offering a $2,500 higher-education award upon completion, paraprofessional and teacher training, and the Sameera Rahbar-Daniels Lending Library in the DC office.
The organization's underlying methodology rests on research-backed literacy frameworks covering letter recognition, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness, with the Preschool Early Literacy Indicators (PELI) assessment administered tri-annually to measure pre-literacy skills and kindergarten readiness. A proprietary Pre-K-5 Literacy and Learning Model is currently in research and development, with a pilot planned for SY2026-27 across Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade classrooms. The organization is led by President and CEO Dr. Heather Jenkins, Ph.D., with a senior team including two Presidents of regional/people strategy, a VP of Revenue & Partnership Strategy, and Directors of Program Design & Evaluation, Learning & Development, and Human Resources, supported by regional Impact Directors and Managers.
The Literacy Lab is funded entirely through philanthropic channels — grants from foundations such as Accelerate (Call to Effective Action), individual donations, Donor Advised Funds, and stock/wire transfers — and provides all services free of charge to partner schools, classrooms, and students. The organization holds a Charity Navigator four-star rating and the Candid GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025), and in March 2025 named Luvvie Ajayi Jones as its first National Brand Ambassador. There is no venture capital, private equity, or parent-company ownership; the organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3) governed by a Board of Directors.
The Literacy Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Literacy Lab
- Legal name
- The Literacy Lab
- Website
- https://theliteracylab.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Literacy Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Washington DC, that places trained Fellows in Pre-K classrooms across five U.S. regions to deliver evidence-based early-literacy instruction to children from low-income families, funded entirely through grants and philanthropic donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Literacy Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Early Childhood Literacy Education
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early Literacy & Phonics Programs (EDAMAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention (EDANAJAA), Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD)
Keywords
Where The Literacy Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Literacy Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Philanthropic Funding: The Literacy Lab operates as a nonprofit organization receiving grants from foundations and programs such as Accelerate's Call to Effective Action grant, as well as general philanthropic donations
- Individual Donations: Individual giving through PayPal, check, stock or wire transfers, and Donor Advised Funds (EIN 27-1777117)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Free services to partner schools and students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
The Literacy Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Literacy Lab is a nonprofit that delivers evidence-based literacy tutoring and instruction for Pre-K through elementary-aged children from low-income families through a year-long Fellowship program placing trained Fellows in classrooms five hours per day. The organization complements classroom instruction with Clubs programming, Workforce Development pathways for future educators, Paraprofessional and Teacher Training, and resource access via its DC lending library. All services are provided at no cost to partner schools, classrooms, and students.
Product overview
The Literacy Lab operates as an educational nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of literacy programs and services. The core offering is The Literacy Lab Fellowship, a year-long program placing trained Fellows in Pre-K classrooms to provide daily literacy instruction. Supporting programs include Clubs by The Literacy Lab (with Explorers for Pre-K-Grade 1 and Studios for Grades 2-5), which provide interactive learning experiences. Additional services include Paraprofessional and Teacher Training for professional development, a Workforce Development program with a $2,500 education award, and the Sameera Rahbar-Daniels Lending Library providing diverse books. The organization is developing a proprietary Pre-K-5 Literacy and Learning Model planned for pilot in SY2026-27.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Literacy Lab Fellowship
Companies that use The Literacy Lab
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Literacy Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Literacy Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Luvvie Ajayi JonescoreFour-time New York Times bestselling author serving as The Literacy Lab's first-ever National Brand Ambassador. She brings her platform, social media presence, and storytelling expertise to amplify the organization's mission. Hosted Fireside Chats events with CEO Dr. Heather Jenkins discussing the national literacy crisis and community-based educator development.
- All Access with Andy GarciaminorTelevision program partnership providing opportunity to share The Literacy Lab's work with new audiences and build a coalition to advance access to literacy.
- Dr. Dana Rahbar-DanielscoreGenerous donor providing the Sameera Rahbar-Daniels Lending Library for Fellows and children served in Washington DC. The library is housed in The Literacy Lab's DC office, stocked with diverse and representative books aligned with Pre-K curriculum, serving as 'mirrors' and 'windows' for young readers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Literacy Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- First Book: Nonprofit that provides books and educational resources at low cost to programs serving children in low-income communities. Comparable in serving the same beneficiary population and mission of equitable literacy access; analogous to The Literacy Lab's Sameera Rahbar-Daniels Lending Library resource layer.
- Reach Out and Read: National nonprofit that partners with pediatricians to promote early literacy from birth through age 5, with comparable focus on foundational reading skills in low-income families. Highly comparable mission and beneficiary population, though it leverages the healthcare system as its distribution channel rather than schools.
- Reading Partners: National nonprofit providing volunteer-based, evidence-based literacy tutoring to students in under-resourced elementary schools. Direct peer to The Literacy Lab's Fellowship model: same target population (low-income early readers), same evidence-based instruction approach, same school-partner delivery channel.
- Raising A Reader: National early-literacy nonprofit that rotates red book bags through partner sites serving families with children birth to age 8, with similar mission of family engagement and book access. Direct peer in early-childhood literacy intervention for underserved families.
Emerging players
- KIPP Foundation: National K-12 charter network serving low-income communities with a college-prep mission including foundational literacy. Indirect peer: serves similar student population via schools but as a charter operator with full school-day programming rather than a tutoring/fellowship nonprofit overlay.
Broad incumbents
- Save the Children US (Literacy & Learning Programs): Large international NGO with significant U.S. literacy and early-childhood programming. Overlaps in target population and evidence-based literacy focus but operates as a broad humanitarian organization with much larger scale and global footprint.
- United Way (Born Learning / Success By 6): Major U.S. nonprofit network running early-childhood literacy and school-readiness initiatives through local United Ways. Comparable mission of kindergarten readiness in low-income communities, with much broader scope and fundraising apparatus than The Literacy Lab.
Regional players
- Literacy Inc. (LINC): New York City-based nonprofit mobilizing community volunteers to foster literacy in low-income neighborhoods from birth through grade 12. Direct peer in mission and community-rooted delivery model, but operates primarily within NYC while The Literacy Lab serves multiple cities.
- BookSpring (Literacy Coalition of Central Texas successor programs): Central Texas-based early literacy nonprofit working through schools, pediatric clinics, and community partners. Comparable early-literacy mission and underserved-population focus, but bounded to a single region.
Others
- Scholastic Education: Major educational publisher with literacy intervention products and school partnerships. Adjacent ecosystem participant supplying curricula and books to literacy programs like The Literacy Lab; not a direct competitor but a potential content partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Literacy Lab social profiles
Digital presenceThe Literacy Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Literacy Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
The Literacy Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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The Literacy Lab 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 The Literacy Lab
What does The Literacy Lab do?
The Literacy Lab is a nonprofit that delivers evidence-based literacy tutoring and instruction for Pre-K through elementary-aged children from low-income families through a year-long Fellowship program placing trained Fellows in classrooms five hours per day. The organization complements classroom instruction with Clubs programming, Workforce Development pathways for future educators, Paraprofessional and Teacher Training, and resource access via its DC lending library. All services are provided at no cost to partner schools, classrooms, and students.
Is The Literacy Lab a public or private company?
The Literacy Lab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Literacy Lab founded?
The Literacy Lab was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Literacy Lab based?
The Literacy Lab is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Literacy Lab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grants and Philanthropic Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations.
Who are The Literacy Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are First Book, Reach Out and Read, Reading Partners and Raising A Reader. KIPP Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Save the Children US (Literacy & Learning Programs) and United Way (Born Learning / Success By 6). Regional players are Literacy Inc. (LINC) and BookSpring (Literacy Coalition of Central Texas successor programs). Scholastic Education is listed as an others.
Does The Literacy Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Literacy Lab.
What industry is The Literacy Lab in?
The Literacy Lab's product category is Early Childhood Literacy Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAJAA, Early Literacy & Phonics Programs, with a secondary code of EDANAJAA, K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention. Its NAICS code is 61169 and its SIC code is 8200.