Nonprofit · EIN 20-1115704
GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION
Tax-exempt · NASHVILLE, TN 37243
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $22,624,791 | $15,662,441 | $6,962,350 | $26,456,237 | $3,375,189 | $23,081,048 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $22,655,550 | $19,682,268 | $2,973,282 | $19,829,433 | $4,187,961 | $15,641,472 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $24,930,131 | $23,200,310 | $1,729,821 | $21,187,455 | $9,338,020 | $11,849,435 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $17,610,034
- of which government grants
- $16,823,855
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $1,416,539
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $249,452
- Other revenue
- $3,598,218
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $46,944
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $590,147
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,065,588
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,829,682
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $31,695
- Occupancy
- $58,156
- Travel
- $164,179
- Depreciation
- $7,777
- Program services (functional)
- $13,712,093
- Management and general (functional)
- $832,858
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,117,490
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $19,829,433
- Total assets, end of year
- $26,456,237
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,375,189
- Net assets, end of year
- $23,081,048
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $14,191
- Publicly traded securities
- $10,877,109
- Gross receipts
- $23,634,609
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 400
- Year formed
- 2004
- State of legal domicile
- TN
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES POND | PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $220,654 | $52,717 |
| DEAN HOSKINS | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $169,887 | $35,592 |
| ABIGAIL SANDERSON | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $104,784 | $29,777 |
| ANGEL BEBOUT | CFO Officer | 37.5 | $94,289 | $29,777 |
| BRANDON GIBSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE BARNES | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DENINE TORR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH REED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLQUITT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DISHNER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE WATSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES NICHOLSON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF BALLARD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM FRANKLIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
3 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAKE BYNUM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES WILDMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MATT GORNICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES POND | PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $188,560 | $44,816 |
| DEAN HOSKINS | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $149,293 | $30,280 |
| BRANDON GIBSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE BARNES | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DENNIE TORR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH REED | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLQUITT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DISHNER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE WATSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES NICHOLSON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF BALLARD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WILLIAM FRANKLIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAKE BYNUM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMIE WILDMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 11 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES POND | PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $162,246 | $35,909 |
| DEAN HOSKINS | VICE PRESIDENT Officer | 37.5 | $133,258 | $24,856 |
| BRANDON GIBSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE BARNES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DENINE TORR | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PARUL BAJAJ | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER COLQUITT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DISHNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG DUCKETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREA WILLIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES NICHOLSON | BOARD MEMBER - INTERN Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 710 JAMES ROBERTSON PKWY ANDREW JOH, NASHVILLE, TN 37243-0001
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JAMES POND, 710 JAMES ROBERTSON PARKWAY 1ST, FLOOR, NASHVILLE, TN 37219
- Signed the 990
- JAMES POND, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (866) 368-6371
- Website
- WWW.GOVERNORSFOUNDATION.ORG
- Return prepared by
- LBMC PC
Mission
THE MISSION OF GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDAION (GELF) IS TO STRENGTHEN EARLY LITERACY IN TENNESSEE. GELF EQUIPS TENNESSEE'S CHILDREN WITH BOOKS AND INNOVATIVE LITERACY TOOLS THAT ENCOURAGE LIFELONG LEARNING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE. WE DO THIS BY SERVING AS A THOUGHT LEADER, ADVISOR, AND CATALYST TO SUSTAIN EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN ACCROSS THE STATE, INCLUSING BIRTH-3 BOOK DELIVERY, K-3 HOME LIBRARIES, CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT, STORYBOOK TRAILS, BOOK BUSES, AND THE STATEWIDE EARLY LITERACY EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE OF TENNESSEE.
Program accomplishments
- BOOK DELIVERY, THROUGH DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY: THROUGH OUR BIRTH-5 BOOK DELIVERY PROGRAM, WE DELIVER BOOKS EACH MONTH TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, THROUGH DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY, TO FOSTER A LOVE OF READING AT AN EARLY AGE. THIS PROGRAM IS A GIFT OF UP TO 60 HIGH-QUALITY, AGE APPROPRIATE BOOKS, TO BUILD A CHILD'S HOME LIBRARY BEFORE KINDERGARTON. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS AVAILABLE TO ALL AGE-ELIGIBLE TENNESSEE CHILDREN THROUGH A UNIQUE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH GELF AND AFFILIATED PROGRAMS IN EACH OF TENNESSEE'S 95 COUNTIES. WITH VITAL FINANCIAL SUPORT FROM THE TENESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOUNDATIONS, AND CORPORATE SPONSORS, GELF FUNDS HALF THE COST OF IMAGINATION LIBRARY BOOKS FOR ENROLLED CHILDREN STATEWIDE, SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS IN EACH OF TENNESSEE'S 95 COUNTIES AS THEY RAISE THE OTHER HALF OF THE COST OF BOOKS FOR ENROLLED CHILDREN IN THEIR COUNTY. SINCE 2004, WE HAVE MAILED OVER 58 MILLION BOOKS TO CHILDREN STATEWIDEExpenses $7,729,689 · grants $46,944 · revenue $3,598,218
- THROUGH OUR STORYBOOK TRAIL PROGRAM, GELF COLLABORATES WITH TENNESSEE STATE PARKS CONSERVANCY AND LOCAL PARKS TO CREATE OUTDOOR READING EXPERIENCE WHERE FAMILIES INTERACT THROUGH LITERACY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THIS PROGRAM PRESENTS A CHILDREN'S STORYBOOK ON CHILD-HEIGHT PANELS ALONG A SHORT TRAIL TO PROMOTE ADULT-CHILD INTERACTION AROUND BOOKS AND NATURE. EACH PANEL FEATURES A READING TIP TO ENCOURAGE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BY BRINGING THE BOOK TO LIFE FOR CHILDREN. GELF'S STORYBOOK TRAIL PROGRAM NOW INCLUDE 76 TRAILS IN 52 TENNESSEE COUNTIES.Expenses $4,755,767
- SUMMER: THROUGH OUR GROWING K-3 HOME LIBRARY PROGRAM, GELF DELIVERS QUALITY BOOKS AND LITERACY RESOURCES TO COMBAT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS AND SUPORT STUDENT LEARNING IN THE HOME. IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOLASTIC EDUCATION, THIS PROGRAM MAILS A PACK OF HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DURING THE SUMMER, AT NO COST TO FAMILIES OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SINCE IT'S LAUNCH IN SUMMER 2020, THE K-3 HOME LIBRARY PROGRAM HAS QUICKLY GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF GELF'S KEY PROGRAMS, AND THE FIRST STATEWIDE K-3 BOOK DELIVERY EFFORT IN THE U.S IN 2021. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF GELF'S K-3 SUMMER READING PROGRAM OVER 6 MILLION BOOKS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO CHILDREN AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE.Expenses $1,096,937
- THROUGH OUR BOOK BUS PROGRAM, WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO ESTABLISH MOBILE LIBRARIES THAT PROVIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY LITERACY RESOURCES. PARTNERING SCHOOL SYSTEMS RETROFIT DECOMMISSIONED SCHOOL BUSES WITH SEATING AND SHELVING TO HOUSE BOOKS AND LITERACY RESOURCES CREATING A LEARNING SPACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY. MANY OF THE BOOK BUSES ARE FOCUSED ON SERVING CHILDREN IN AREAS THAT FACE CHALLENGES TO ACCESSING BOOKS, SUCH AS LIBRARY DESERTS, LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, OR RURAL AREAS WHERE TRANSPORTATION TO A BOOKSTORE OR LIBRARY IS DIFFICULT. SOME BOOK BUSES OPERATE YEAR-ROUND, WHILE OTHERS PRIORITZE SERVICE OVER THE SUMMER, WORKING TO PREVENT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS.Expenses $129,700
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 20-1115704
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2004
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B92)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $26,456,237
- Income (IRS master file)
- $23,634,609
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $22,624,791 | $15,662,441 | $26,456,237 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $22,655,550 | $19,682,268 | $19,829,433 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $24,930,131 | $23,200,310 | $21,187,455 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $14,676,458 | $13,764,764 | $14,335,895 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 20-1115704).
Questions about GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION
- What is the EIN of GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION is 20-1115704.
- Is GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
- Are donations to GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names JAMES POND.
- Who are the officers and directors of GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 18 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $220,654 (JAMES POND, PRESIDENT).
- How much revenue does GOVERNORS EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $22,624,791, expenses of $15,662,441 and total assets of $26,456,237 at year end.
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