CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUNDATION
Cite this
Plain text CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUNDATION. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2019–2024. https://furp.org/org/center-for-sound-literacy-foundation-833374917. Retrieved 2026-10-26.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2019–2024]. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/center-for-sound-literacy-foundation-833374917
MLA “CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUNDATION.” furp.org, tax years 2019–2024, https://furp.org/org/center-for-sound-literacy-foundation-833374917. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-26; covers tax years 2019–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $2.7M · expenses $2.6M · assets $9.1M
- EIN
- 83-3374917
- Address
- 3607 BROADMOOR AVE SE, KENTWOOD, MI 49512-3902
- NTEE code
- B99
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- July 2019 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER A FUND EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC OR LITERARY PURPOSES AND TO PURSUE THESE PURPOSES EITHER THROUGH DIRECT OPERATIONS OR BY MAKING GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATION THAT QUALIFY AS EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. THE SPECIFIC PURPOSES, ACTIVITIES AND OBJECTIVES WILL BE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON EDUCATION AND ADVANCING LITERACY, SCHOOLS AND MAKING GRANTS TO EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angela O'Brien | SECRETARY | 2019-2024 | $245,400 | $245,400 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
2 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John C Kennedy Iii | PRESIDENT | 2019-2024 | 15 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Nancy Kennedy | TREASURER | 2019-2024 | 10 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 3 people listed · 1 paid, $245K · 9 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 35 | $245,400 | $0 | $0 | $245,400 | 1 |
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 3 people listed · none paid · 10 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 3 people listed · none paid · 13 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 3 people listed · none paid · 10 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2020 · 3 people listed · none paid · 19 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2019 · 3 people listed · none paid · 43 employees
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN C KENNEDY III | PRESIDENT | 10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| NANCY KENNEDY | TREASURER | - | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANGELA O'BRIEN | SECRETARY | 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
No independent contractors reported.
Federal grants and contracts
Awards from USAspending.gov to a recipient with this organization's name and zip code. Obligations by federal fiscal year (October to September); each award links to its page on usaspending.gov.
| Fiscal year | Grants and other assistance | Contracts | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| 2020 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Largest awards · 0 shown
| Year | Agency | Kind | Program | Description | Obligated |
|---|
Who the money went to
Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.
2023 · 1 grant to organizations · $228K
2020 · 1 grant to organizations · $33K
2019 · 1 grant to organizations · $20K
Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $2,710,317 | $2,609,440 | $9,066,068 | $5,236,068 | $2,691,662 | $0 | $245,400 | 9 | - |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $5,129,465 | $1,928,386 | $6,482,716 | $5,159,219 | $5,108,334 | $0 | - | 10 | - |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,534,958 | $791,954 | $2,523,590 | $1,923,590 | $1,534,958 | $0 | - | 13 | - |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,846,785 | $668,272 | $1,133,784 | $1,133,784 | $1,846,785 | $0 | - | 10 | - |
| 2020 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $542,000 | $708,539 | $22,521 | -$109,042 | $542,000 | $0 | - | 19 | - |
| 2019 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $699,884 | $642,410 | $57,497 | $57,497 | $699,884 | $0 | - | 43 | - |
Funders of this organization
3 grantors reported grants to this organization, $1,510,860 in all, tax years 2023 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS & MARIA DEVOS FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUNDATION” | 2023 | 1 | $1,500,000 | 2023 | $1,500,000 | show |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $10,000 | 2023 | $10,000 | show |
| JOHN C & NANCY G KENNEDY FAMILY FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “CENTER FOR SOUND LITERACY FOUDATION” | 2025 | 1 | $860 | 2025 | $860 | show |
Similar organizations
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DETROIT PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION | MI | B99 | $4,943,447 | $4,113,290 | Executive Director | $136,523 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY OF IOSCO COUNTY | MI | B99 | $2,126,489 | $1,974,320 | PROGRAM DIRE | $66,515 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL MEDIA CENTER ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN | MI | B99 | $2,395,369 | $2,164,455 | EXECUTIVE DI | $111,192 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS INC | MI | B99 | $2,399,808 | $2,840,605 | FORMER CEO, NOW COO | $277,845 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF DETROIT INDUSTRY PROMOTION FUND | MI | B99 | $2,774,872 | $2,406,589 | CEO | $251,325 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SAGINAW FUTURE INC | MI | B99 | $2,259,679 | $1,349,687 | PRESIDENT | $257,848 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BLACK TECH SATURDAYS | MI | B99 | $1,786,378 | $476,111 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| WEST MICHIGAN CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTE | MI | B99 | $2,986,237 | $2,026,091 | CEO | $178,978 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| WILLARD G PIERCE AND JESSIE M PIERCE FOUNDATION | MI | B99 | $2,936,375 | $2,246,567 | EXECUTIVE DI | $130,079 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TOUCHSTONE SERVICES INCORPORATED | MI | B99 | $3,052,414 | $2,533,965 | PRESIDENT/ED (THRU 7/31/25) | $136,337 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MMAP INC | MI | B99 | $2,463,219 | $2,459,215 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $98,681 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state |
| CHAMPIONS FOR LITERACY | TN | B99 | $4,214,628 | $4,052,793 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $129,092 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND LIBERAL VALUES INC | DC | B99 | $4,007,030 | $896,929 | PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $18,000 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| THE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION | CO | B99 | $1,561,107 | $1,003,614 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY ACTION FUND | DC | B99 | $2,771,306 | $3,146,331 | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $38,285 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| Z EAGLE RECREATION AND ENRICHMENT FOUNDATION INC | IN | B99 | $1,674,790 | $1,646,920 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, similar mission |
| LIBERTY LEARNING FOUNDATION | AL | B99 | $2,440,607 | $2,106,194 | CHAIRMAN | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| SEMI FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $4,645,011 | $4,097,819 | Chairman, Pres & CEO | $3,229,913 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING EQUALITY INC | CA | B99 | $3,319,417 | $3,410,195 | PRODUCT LEAD | $135,655 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| STAR FLIGHT FOUNDATION | VA | B99 | $1,619,970 | $1,626,375 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $120,760 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| 5IN5 FOUNDATION | MD | B99 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | TREASURER | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| US SCIENCES PO FOUNDATION | NY | B99 | $2,672,073 | $2,818,168 | Executive Dir. | $147,264 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| ALTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | CA | B99 | $2,287,302 | $3,884,633 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APS | $325,941 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| PURPOSE FOUNDATION | NY | B99 | $4,330,431 | $4,930,510 | FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAMILY STORY | $125,000 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
| CLARK COUNTY VOCATIONAL SKILLS CENTER FOUNDATION | WA | B99 | $1,647,908 | $1,249,798 | BOARD CHAIR | $0 | Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2024 · Form 990 · $2,609,440 spent · pay $1,128,011 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $898,210 | $898,210 | - | - | 34.4% | |
| Fees: other services | $895,635 | $895,630 | $5 | - | 34.3% | |
| Payroll taxes | $194,544 | $194,544 | - | - | 7.5% | |
| Interest | $182,831 | $182,831 | - | - | 7.0% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $155,914 | - | $155,914 | - | 6.0% | |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE | $49,728 | $49,728 | - | - | 1.9% |
| Fees: accounting | $42,683 | - | $42,683 | - | 1.6% | |
| Occupancy | $38,496 | $38,496 | - | - | 1.5% | |
| Other employee benefits | $35,257 | $35,257 | - | - | 1.4% | |
| Insurance | $34,956 | - | $34,956 | - | 1.3% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $27,114 | - | $27,114 | - | 1.0% | |
| Fees: legal | $24,197 | - | $24,197 | - | 0.9% | |
| All other expenses | $7,693 | $4,523 | $3,170 | - | 0.3% | |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS: CLEANING | $7,443 | $7,443 | - | - | 0.3% |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS: SUPPLIES | $7,350 | $7,350 | - | - | 0.3% |
| Other (as described) | STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES | $3,768 | $3,768 | - | - | 0.1% |
| Information technology | $3,621 | $3,621 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $2,609,440 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $1,928,386 spent · pay $843,410 · grants $227,500 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $646,640 | $646,640 | - | - | 33.5% | |
| Fees: other services | $476,097 | $476,048 | $49 | - | 24.7% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $227,500 | $227,500 | - | - | 11.8% | |
| Payroll taxes | $194,478 | $194,478 | - | - | 10.1% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $108,997 | - | $108,997 | - | 5.7% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $60,898 | - | $60,898 | - | 3.2% | |
| Insurance | $46,703 | - | $46,703 | - | 2.4% | |
| Information technology | $37,543 | $37,543 | - | - | 1.9% | |
| Fees: legal | $36,932 | - | $36,932 | - | 1.9% | |
| Occupancy | $25,503 | $25,503 | - | - | 1.3% | |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS AND MAINT. | $25,347 | $25,347 | - | - | 1.3% |
| Fees: accounting | $25,250 | - | $25,250 | - | 1.3% | |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS: CLEANING | $5,655 | $5,655 | - | - | 0.3% |
| Other (as described) | OPERATIONS: SUPPLIES | $5,107 | $5,107 | - | - | 0.3% |
| Other employee benefits | $2,292 | $2,292 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | FINGERPRINTING | $1,885 | $1,885 | - | - | 0.1% |
| All other expenses | $1,559 | $1,549 | $10 | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $1,928,386 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $791,954 spent · pay $651,500 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $451,625 | $451,625 | - | - | 57.0% | |
| Payroll taxes | $189,638 | $189,638 | - | - | 23.9% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $56,354 | - | $56,354 | - | 7.1% | |
| Other (as described) | SCHOOL SUPPLIES | $34,905 | $34,905 | - | - | 4.4% |
| Fees: other services | $17,680 | $17,680 | - | - | 2.2% | |
| Fees: accounting | $10,340 | - | $10,340 | - | 1.3% | |
| Other employee benefits | $10,237 | $10,237 | - | - | 1.3% | |
| Insurance | $8,372 | - | $8,372 | - | 1.1% | |
| Fees: legal | $7,682 | - | $7,682 | - | 1.0% | |
| Occupancy | $4,797 | $4,797 | - | - | 0.6% | |
| Other (as described) | MEALS | $304 | - | $304 | - | 0.0% |
| Other (as described) | LICENSES & FEES | $20 | - | $20 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $791,954 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $668,272 spent · pay $555,044 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $392,553 | $392,553 | - | - | 58.7% | |
| Payroll taxes | $162,491 | $162,491 | - | - | 24.3% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $66,151 | - | $66,151 | - | 9.9% | |
| Other (as described) | TUITION REIMBURSEMENT | $12,800 | - | $12,800 | - | 1.9% |
| Fees: accounting | $9,500 | - | $9,500 | - | 1.4% | |
| Insurance | $7,948 | - | $7,948 | - | 1.2% | |
| Fees: other services | $7,860 | $7,860 | - | - | 1.2% | |
| Other (as described) | SCHOOL SUPPLIES | $5,544 | $5,544 | - | - | 0.8% |
| Occupancy | $3,290 | $3,290 | - | - | 0.5% | |
| Other (as described) | MEALS | $115 | - | $115 | - | 0.0% |
| Other (as described) | LICENSES & FEES | $20 | - | $20 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $668,272 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990 · $708,539 spent · pay $613,299 · grants $33,100 · events $439
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $426,059 | $426,059 | - | - | 60.1% | |
| Payroll taxes | $187,240 | $187,240 | - | - | 26.4% | |
| Fees: other services | $41,303 | $41,303 | - | - | 5.8% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $33,100 | $33,100 | - | - | 4.7% | |
| Insurance | $11,314 | - | $11,314 | - | 1.6% | |
| Occupancy | $3,776 | $3,776 | - | - | 0.5% | |
| Other (as described) | SCHOOL SUPPLIES | $2,827 | $2,827 | - | - | 0.4% |
| Information technology | $1,770 | $1,770 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Office expenses | $691 | $69 | $622 | - | 0.1% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $439 | $439 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | LICENSES & FEES | $20 | - | $20 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $708,539 | 100% |
2019 · Form 990 · $642,410 spent · pay $597,080 · grants $20,000 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $532,919 | $532,919 | - | - | 83.0% | |
| Payroll taxes | $64,161 | $64,161 | - | - | 10.0% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $20,000 | $20,000 | - | - | 3.1% | |
| Fees: other services | $8,756 | $8,695 | $61 | - | 1.4% | |
| Insurance | $6,890 | - | $6,890 | - | 1.1% | |
| Other (as described) | SCHOOL SUPPLIES | $5,254 | $5,254 | - | - | 0.8% |
| Other (as described) | TRAINING LUNCHES | $3,270 | $3,270 | - | - | 0.5% |
| Other (as described) | LICENSES & FEES | $620 | - | $620 | - | 0.1% |
| Travel | $462 | $462 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | MEETINGS | $78 | - | $78 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $642,410 | 100% |
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