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Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Angela O'Brien SECRETARY2019-2024 $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.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
John C Kennedy Iii PRESIDENT2019-2024 15 $0 reported 1
Nancy Kennedy TREASURER2019-2024 10 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 3 people listed · 1 paid, $245K · 9 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY35 $245,400$0$0 $245,4001
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT15 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER10 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 3 people listed · none paid · 10 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT15 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER10 $0$0$0 $01
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY30 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 3 people listed · none paid · 13 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT10 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER10 $0$0$0 $01
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY30 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 3 people listed · none paid · 10 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT10 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER10 $0$0$0 $01
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY30 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 3 people listed · none paid · 19 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT10 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER10 $0$0$0 $01
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY30 $0$0$0 $01
2019 · 3 people listed · none paid · 43 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JOHN C KENNEDY III PRESIDENT10 $0$0$0 $01
NANCY KENNEDY TREASURER- $0$0$0 $01
ANGELA O'BRIEN SECRETARY30 $0$0$0 $01

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 yearGrants and other assistanceContractsAwards
2021$0$01
2020$0$01
Largest awards · 0 shown
YearAgencyKindProgramDescriptionObligated

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.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$2,710,317$2,609,440 $9,066,068$5,236,068 $2,691,662$0 $245,4009-
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$5,129,465$1,928,386 $6,482,716$5,159,219 $5,108,334$0 -10-
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$1,534,958$791,954 $2,523,590$1,923,590 $1,534,958$0 -13-
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$1,846,785$668,272 $1,133,784$1,133,784 $1,846,785$0 -10-
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$542,000$708,539 $22,521-$109,042 $542,000$0 -19-
2019 · Form 990 period ending 2019-12-31 · view filing · original 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

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
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)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
DETROIT PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATIONMIB99 $4,943,447$4,113,290 Executive Director$136,523 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY OF IOSCO COUNTYMIB99 $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 MICHIGANMIB99 $2,395,369$2,164,455 EXECUTIVE DI$111,192 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS INCMIB99 $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 FUNDMIB99 $2,774,872$2,406,589 CEO$251,325 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
SAGINAW FUTURE INCMIB99 $2,259,679$1,349,687 PRESIDENT$257,848 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
BLACK TECH SATURDAYSMIB99 $1,786,378$476,111 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
WEST MICHIGAN CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTEMIB99 $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 FOUNDATIONMIB99 $2,936,375$2,246,567 EXECUTIVE DI$130,079 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
TOUCHSTONE SERVICES INCORPORATEDMIB99 $3,052,414$2,533,965 PRESIDENT/ED (THRU 7/31/25)$136,337 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
MMAP INCMIB99 $2,463,219$2,459,215 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$98,681 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, same state
CHAMPIONS FOR LITERACYTNB99 $4,214,628$4,052,793 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$129,092 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND LIBERAL VALUES INCDCB99 $4,007,030$896,929 PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$18,000 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
THE OUTDOOR FOUNDATIONCOB99 $1,561,107$1,003,614 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY ACTION FUNDDCB99 $2,771,306$3,146,331 CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$38,285 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
Z EAGLE RECREATION AND ENRICHMENT FOUNDATION INCINB99 $1,674,790$1,646,920 President$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x, similar mission
LIBERTY LEARNING FOUNDATIONALB99 $2,440,607$2,106,194 CHAIRMAN$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
SEMI FOUNDATIONCAB99 $4,645,011$4,097,819 Chairman, Pres & CEO$3,229,913 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING EQUALITY INCCAB99 $3,319,417$3,410,195 PRODUCT LEAD$135,655 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
STAR FLIGHT FOUNDATIONVAB99 $1,619,970$1,626,375 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$120,760 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
5IN5 FOUNDATIONMDB99 $2,000,000$2,000,000 TREASURER$0 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
US SCIENCES PO FOUNDATIONNYB99 $2,672,073$2,818,168 Executive Dir.$147,264 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
ALTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATIONCAB99 $2,287,302$3,884,633 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APS$325,941 Same NTEE code B99, revenue within 2x
PURPOSE FOUNDATIONNYB99 $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 FOUNDATIONWAB99 $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).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
GATES FOUNDATION Private foundation$24,694,55328 42011–2023 LITERACY DESIGN COLLABORATIVE INC; CONNECTED THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER; BLU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION; BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$14,041,058176 432016–2024 CLEARVIEW LEGACY FOUNDATION; REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS INC; UP EDUCATION NETWORK INC; NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE FOUNDATION and 39 more
CRANKSTART FOUNDATION Private foundation$12,160,35012 22021–2024 SAN FRANCISCO EDUCATION FUND; CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION Private foundation$8,258,36828 52014–2024 WIKI EDUCATION FOUNDATION; FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING EQUALITY INC; CENTER FOR LAW AND HUMAN VALUES INC; TEAM4TECH FOUNDATION and 1 more
AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$7,459,56485 222019–2025 TEAM4TECH FOUNDATION; BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION; WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION; TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO FOUNDATION and 18 more
GERARD B LAMBERT FOUNDATION Private foundation$5,547,7615 12020–2024 US SCIENCES PO FOUNDATION
JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION Private foundation$5,444,00016 42015–2024 CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER; SEMI FOUNDATION; SAN FRANCISCO EDUCATION FUND; BLU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$4,884,029112 292014–2024 AMERICAN PRINCIPLES PROJECT FOUNDATION; SAN FRANCISCO EDUCATION FUND; WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION; TEAM4TECH FOUNDATION and 25 more
DONORS TRUST INC DAF sponsor$4,557,00012 32020–2024 EMERGENT ORDER FOUNDATION INC; AMERICAN PRINCIPLES PROJECT FOUNDATION; SCPGA FOUNDATION INC
TIDES FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$4,094,74131 92018–2024 FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING EQUALITY INC; CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY ACTION FUND; US SCIENCES PO FOUNDATION; TEAM4TECH FOUNDATION and 5 more
PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS DAF sponsor$4,022,7253 22018–2023 ELECTION CENTER; CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER
FORD FOUNDATION Private foundation$3,621,00018 52010–2024 PURPOSE FOUNDATION; CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER; CAVE CANEM FOUNDATION INC; FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION and 1 more
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$3,497,81043 152015–2024 CENTER FOR LAW AND HUMAN VALUES INC; PURPOSE FOUNDATION; CENTER FOR FURNITURE CRAFTSMANSHIP; SAN FRANCISCO EDUCATION FUND and 11 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$3,273,45047 92010–2024 WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION; TEAM4TECH FOUNDATION; BLU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION; CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER and 5 more
ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION Private foundation$3,150,0004 22022–2024 CAVE CANEM FOUNDATION INC; WIKI EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$2,609,440100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $1,928,386 spent · pay $843,410 · grants $227,500 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$1,928,386100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $791,954 spent · pay $651,500 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$791,954100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $668,272 spent · pay $555,044 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$668,272100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $708,539 spent · pay $613,299 · grants $33,100 · events $439
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$708,539100%

View the filing

2019 · Form 990 · $642,410 spent · pay $597,080 · grants $20,000 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
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$642,410100%

View the filing

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