The International Literacy Association (ILA) recently announced that USA Today Charitable Foundation (USATCF) has joined ILA to further support the cause of eradicating illiteracy around the world. The foundation will operate under the ILA umbrella organization as a separate, supporting foundation with its own board of directors.
The foundation, which is now known as the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning, is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational programs for elementary, secondary schools, community colleges, clubs, and after-school activities and programs in specific disciplines or curriculum areas.
“By joining ILA, the foundation provides yet one more engine in our pool of resources to
support our work to advance literacy for all through our global network of more than 300,000 literacy practitioners in 75 countries,” said Marcie Craig Post, ILA’s executive director. “We see this as an adoption of a like-minded, like-missioned group that shares a similar commitment to literacy and education efforts.”
Post said that, for ILA’s membership base, the foundation’s activities will complement members’ efforts on the ground and is another step forward in the organization’s journey as ILA.
There will be no change in ILA’s operations or structure; it assumes oversight and fiduciary responsibility for the foundation. The foundation will have its own board and brings a donor base and resources to conduct projects and offset any overhead expenses. The foundation’s independent board of directors will include previous members of the USATCF board, Akin Harrison, vice president, associate general counsel and secretary of TEGNA (formerly Gannett), and Ross Schaufelberger, former executive vice president and chief operations officer for USA Today Sports Media Group. Diane Barrett, retired vice president of USA Today/Gannett Publishing Services and USATCF’s former president and board chair, will serve as the ex-officio voting executive director. Post will serve as board chair and additional board members will be recruited.
The USATCF board sought out ILA as a potential partner to enable the foundation to continue work supporting and building alliances that enhance innovative, instructional programs and community outreach. Long affiliated with USA Today newspaper and its parent company Gannett, a recent corporate reorganization prompted the foundation’s search for a new supporting partner.
“The USA Today Charitable Foundation’s vision has been to engage, enlighten and inspire today's students and educators by opening their classrooms to the real world,” Barrett said. “Our donors represent global and national companies and not-for-profit organizations who have collaborated with us for over a decade to bring exceptional initiatives and resources to schools in the United States. We are eager to grow the reach of our work through our affiliation with ILA.”
Additional questions about the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning can be sent to customerservice@reading.org.