Introduction
ProLiteracy is an international nonprofit organization that strengthens adult literacy programs through grants, professional training, research, advocacy, instructional resources, and partnerships in the United States and other regions of the world.
History and Background
ProLiteracy’s history originates in the work of adult literacy pioneers Dr. Frank C. Laubach and Ruth J. Colvin, who established separate literacy organizations during the 1950s and 1960s.
Dr. Laubach founded Laubach Literacy International in 1955 after spending approximately 25 years promoting adult literacy in different countries. His organization helped build public awareness of literacy as an instrument for education, participation, and social advancement.
In 1963, Dr. Robert Laubach began developing instructional materials and a newspaper for adults with limited reading proficiency. This work led to New Readers Press, which became the publishing division of Laubach Literacy International.
Ruth J. Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers of America in Syracuse, New York, in 1962 after learning that more than 11,000 adults in her community struggled to read and write. She began organizing and training volunteer literacy tutors from her home.
Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America merged in 2002 to create ProLiteracy. The combined organization continued their shared commitment to community-based adult literacy education in the United States and internationally.
Mission and Purpose
ProLiteracy believes that every adult has a right to literacy. Its purpose is to develop and promote adult literacy learning, programs, educational content, and advocacy that increase literacy rates worldwide.
The organization builds the capacity of adult education providers so they can help learners improve reading, writing, numeracy, English-language, digital, workforce, and critical-thinking skills.
Its work recognizes that literacy can help adults pursue employment, advance their careers, support their families, participate in their communities, continue their education, and access essential information and services.
ProLiteracy works with small community organizations, large education providers, associations, employers, governments, researchers, donors, and international partners. Grassroots literacy programs remain central to its approach.
Governance and Structure
ProLiteracy is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Syracuse, New York. It is governed by a board of directors and managed by an executive leadership team and specialist staff.
The board provides organizational oversight, while the president and chief executive officer leads operations and strategy. Staff members manage grant programs, publishing, professional development, advocacy, membership, research, international partnerships, finance, communications, and other institutional functions.
New Readers Press operates as ProLiteracy’s publishing division. It develops print and digital resources for adult basic education, English-language instruction, high school equivalency preparation, workforce readiness, numeracy, and digital literacy.
ProLiteracy also maintains a membership network connecting adult literacy organizations, educators, tutors, trainers, program managers, and other professionals.
Funding and Grants
ProLiteracy receives income from publishing activities, charitable donations, corporate and foundation partnerships, program activities, investments, memberships, and other sources.
For the year ending June 30, 2025, ProLiteracy reported total revenue of approximately $11.44 million, total expenses of $12.72 million, and net assets of approximately $15.61 million. Publishing generated 62% of reported revenue, while fundraising contributed 26%, investments and other sources provided 8%, and programs accounted for 4%.
ProLiteracy provides funding and resources through three principal grant programs: the Literacy Opportunity Fund, Mobile Learning Fund, and National Book Fund.
The Literacy Opportunity Fund awards grants of up to $6,000 to eligible United States-based 501(c)(3) organizations that provide literacy services directly to adult learners. Funding may support salaries, teacher stipends, equipment, supplies, premises, operating expenses, existing projects, or new programming. Awards are offered through four application rounds annually.
The Mobile Learning Fund gives adult literacy programs access to digital instructional products and online-learning licenses. It does not provide computers, tablets, or other physical technology equipment. Applications for digital licenses are accepted throughout the year and considered on a rolling basis.
The National Book Fund helps adult literacy and basic education programs obtain instructional materials from New Readers Press. Awards generally range from $250 to $2,000 and apply specifically to eligible print resources from the publisher.
Major Programs and Initiatives
New Readers Press develops accessible instructional resources designed specifically for adult learners and educators. Its materials cover adult basic education, English-language learning, GED and high school equivalency preparation, workplace education, mathematics, reading, writing, and digital skills.
The ProLiteracy Education Network provides teaching tools, professional-learning courses, resource files, and training materials for adult literacy and English-language educators. Adult learners can also access resources intended to support their educational goals.
ProLiteracy offers basic literacy and English as a Second Language tutor training. Its professional-development activities include webinars, workshops, coaching, management training, leadership courses, and the ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Education.
Teacher Training Plus provides educators with practical instructional strategies, interactive workshops, coaching, learning materials, and opportunities for professional collaboration.
ProLiteracy publishes Adult Literacy Education, an online peer-reviewed research journal produced in collaboration with Georgia State University. Published three times annually, the journal shares research and effective practices concerning adult literacy, numeracy, and English-language education.
The organization also undertakes adult literacy advocacy and produces statistical reports, policy resources, toolkits, and research publications. These resources help literacy organizations explain community needs and advocate for effective policies and increased public investment.
Internationally, ProLiteracy works with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its international programming connects literacy instruction with community priorities such as health, livelihoods, human rights, environmental issues, critical thinking, and cultural expression.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
During fiscal year 2025, ProLiteracy’s three principal grant funds supported 57,115 adult learners through local literacy organizations.
The Mobile Learning Fund awarded approximately $259,000 to 96 programs serving 3,209 students. One recipient, Fill My Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina, received licenses for digital learning platforms that helped adult learners develop literacy and technology skills.
The Literacy Opportunity Fund awarded approximately $637,000 to 135 programs reaching 39,293 learners. Brush Country Literacy Council used its support for teacher salaries, instructional resources, computers, and student-readiness assessments.
The National Book Fund awarded approximately $72,000 to 39 programs serving 14,613 students. Literacy Lubbock used instructional resources provided through the fund to support learners preparing for GED examinations.
In February 2026, another Literacy Opportunity Fund round distributed more than $148,000 among 30 nonprofit literacy organizations. A previously supported organization, Community Educational Outreach in Colorado, used its award to administer 495 pre- and post-assessments and serve 1,001 students. The organization reported four GED graduates and 815 learners gaining employment by the end of its grant cycle.
Teacher Training Plus reached more than 1,000 educators during fiscal year 2025 through 12 sessions and associated interactive workshops. The initiative also provided $60,000 in scholarships for participants to obtain New Readers Press materials and receive one-year ProLiteracy memberships.
Conclusion
ProLiteracy advances adult education by strengthening the organizations, educators, and volunteers who work directly with learners. Its combination of literacy grants, teaching resources, professional development, research, publishing, advocacy, and international partnerships helps adults acquire skills that can improve employment, education, family life, and community participation.
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