The USA TODAY Charitable Foundation Becomes Part Of The International Literacy Association
Separate, Supporting Organization Will Be Renamed the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning
Jul 16, 2015, 03:00 ET
NEWARK, Del., July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Literacy Association (ILA) announced today that it will assume oversight and fiduciary responsibility for the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation (USATCF). The Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning -- as the USATCF will now be called -- will operate as a separate, supporting Foundation with its own Board under the ILA umbrella organization.
Working with other foundations, private companies and organizations, the Foundation has helped provide educational programs for elementary, secondary schools, community colleges, clubs and after-school activities and/or 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, Executive Director, International Literacy Association. "We see this as an adoption of a like-minded, liked-missioned group that shares a similar commitment to literacy and education efforts."
The USATCF Board sought out ILA as a potential partner that would enable the Foundation to continue doing their work supporting and building alliances that enhance innovative, instructional programs, and community outreach. Long affiliated with the 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," said Diane Barrett, retired Vice President, USA TODAY/Gannett Publishing Services and USATCF's former President and Board Chair. "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."
The integration supports ILA's work to advance and accelerate the organization's renewed mission and purpose dedicated to advancing literacy for all. ILA believes in the transformative power of literacy to create more successful societies, healthy communities and prosperous economies.
There will be no change in ILA's operations or structure. The Foundation will have its own board -- and will bring 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, including Akin Harrison, Senior Legal Counsel, Gannett, and Ross Schaufelberger, recently EVP and COO, USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Diane Barrett, retired Vice President, USA TODAY/Gannett Publishing Services and USATCF's former President and Board Chair, will serve as the ex-officio voting Executive Director. ILA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post will serve as Chair of the Board. Additional Board members will also be recruited.
About the International Literacy Association
The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a global advocacy and membership organization dedicated to advancing literacy for all through its network of more than 300,000 literacy educators, researchers and experts across 75 countries. With 60 years of experience in the field, ILA believes in the transformative power of literacy to create more successful societies, healthy communities and prosperous economies. ILA collaborates with partners across the world to develop, gather and disseminate high-quality resources, best practices and cutting-edge research to empower educators, inspire students and inform policymakers. The International Literacy Association publishes several peer-reviewed journals, including The Reading Teacher, Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy and Reading Research Quarterly. For more information, visit literacyworldwide.org.
About the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning
The Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning (formerly the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and builds alliances that enhance innovative instructional programs and community outreach by providing the resources to promote opportunities and inspire all. The Foundation seeks funding from other foundations, private companies and organizations to help provide educational programs for elementary, secondary schools, community colleges and/or programs in specific disciplines or curriculum areas. Staff works with interested parties to collaborate on the creation of educational programs that meet the mission and goals for respective companies or organizations.
SOURCE International Literacy Association