The Power of Literacy. The Power of Community. 2025 Annual Report
Power of Community As Augustine Literacy Project (ALP) enters its third decade of service, we are better positioned than ever to partner with the city of Charlotte in closing the K–2 literacy gap and bringing lasting change to our community. This incredible momentum is fueled by our community’s shared hope in the power of literacy to change lives. At ALP, literacy is more than reading and writing, it’s the foundation for confidence, opportunity, and lifelong success. Every word learned and every milestone reached represents the children who grow in belief of their own potential, supported by a community that refuses to let them fall behind. Since 2005, ALP has reached more than 3,300 students, and strikingly, 41% of that total were served in just the last three years, underscoring the pace and power of our recent growth. This has stretched us, strengthened us, and reaffirmed the power of our mission. It has shown, time and again, that ALP works, and that our community has the heart and capacity to be part of the solution to one of our city’s most pressing challenges. While we are confident in our work, we cannot do it alone. The ALP community must continue to grow and thrive. Together, we are building a network of purpose by connecting students, families, schools, and volunteers in a shared mission to ensure that every child in Charlotte can read. With gratitude and purpose,
Steve Hall Executive Director
Clay & Malcolm: The Power of Community in Action
Power of Malcolm
Every afternoon, first grader Malcolm can be found on the playground at his school. When he spots his ALP tutor, Clay, his face lights up. “That’s my tutor!” he calls out proudly, introducing Clay to all his friends. For Clay, those moments capture what makes ALP so special:
connection, confidence, and community. A small business owner with a full schedule, Clay still sets aside time each week to meet with Malcolm. “It feels really good to help Malcolm at Bruns,” Clay shares, “especially knowing it’s the school my child will attend.” By tutoring at the school just down the street, Clay is making a direct, lasting impact in his own neighborhood. His time and commitment are helping Malcolm not only strengthen his reading skills, but also believe in himself. Together, they show us that literacy is more than learning to read; it’s about building confidence, and changing lives through the power of reading–right where we live.
Power of Partnership Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) #1 Strategic Goal: 91% of K–2 students score at or above the DIBELS* reading benchmark by 2029.
6.5%
42.9%
at Benchmark
at Benchmark
Beginning of Year
End of Year
Title 1 Elementary schools not served by ALP ALP Partner Schools
ALP first graders improved from 6.5% to 42.9% performing at or above benchmark in DIBELS — a remarkable increase. “We are so grateful for ALP’s support.
100%
of surveyed CMS teachers would recommend ALP to other teachers
Their tutors are kind, professional, and build genuine relationships with our students, providing focused 1-on-1 instruction that has been essential to their success. Our students love their tutors.” — CMS School Staff
See the impact: Join us at Newell Elementary!
*DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills.
Aa
596
12,822
376
students served
lessons provided
3,306
volunteer tutors
total students served since 2005
58.4%
decrease in cost per child since 2022
Students Served
188 '20
264 '21
268 '22
362 '23
427 '24
When Readers Rise, Communities Thrive.
596 '25
Power of Connection How ALP Supports the Community At ALP, every success story begins with one connection — one tutor, one student, one shared belief in the power of literacy to change lives. When a child learns to read with confidence, families grow stronger, classrooms thrive, and communities flourish. Together, we’re proving that lifting up readers lifts up entire communities.
ALP is expanding to reach more students, families, and schools through four key initiatives:
1
Super Site Expansion Bringing ALP’s complete K–2 + Fluency literacy intervention program to schools for maximum impact.
2 3 4
Statewide Affiliates Sharing our proven model across North Carolina to reach more students and communities.
College Students Engaging higher education partners through Federal Work Study to build a new tutor pipeline.
ALP Pro Delivering our proven system through paid tutors meeting with students multiple times each week in small groups.
Empowering educators. Uplifting students. Advancing literacy for all.
Finding Her Voice: Haley’s Story
Power of Haley
When Liz first met Haley, she knelt down to introduce herself. Haley looked up, but said nothing. “She doesn’t speak in class,” her teacher gently explained. Haley followed Liz quietly down the hall to the mobile classroom where they began their tutoring session at Sterling Elementary. During that first lesson, Haley nodded, pointed, and made eye contact, but didn’t utter a word. Over the next few weeks, Liz adjusted her approach, filling their walks with small observations about the artwork on the walls and inviting Haley
to engage in her own way. Slowly, trust began to grow. Then one day, something changed. Haley pointed to a picture of a goat and let out a soft “baaa.” Liz turned toward her with a beaming smile. It was a simple sound, but a powerful breakthrough. In the following weeks, Haley began whispering single words. Her voice grew stronger, her confidence brighter. One day, she proudly told Liz, “Liam can walk,” referring to her baby brother. At ALP’s student celebration months later, Haley glowed as
she showed Liz that Liam really could walk. Her dad watched proudly as Liz shared how far his daughter had come. By year’s end, Haley was laughing, chatting, and eagerly engaging with others as she left her sessions. Liz is still tutoring Haley, now a bright and talkative second grader who sometimes needs a gentle nudge back to reading. Haley’s story shows what’s possible when a child is surrounded by belief, when tutors, teachers, parents, and schools come together to ensure every child finds their voice, their confidence, and their potential.
Thank you For being a part of the ALP Family. Augustine Society Transformers ($250,000+) The Leon Levine Foundation Augustine Society Changemakers ($100,000 – $249,999) C.D. Spangler Foundation, Inc. Charlotte Wine + Food Coca-Cola Consolidated Foundation For The Carolinas Novant Health The Merancas Foundation, Inc. William F. and Betty G. Mulliss Foundation Linda and Tim Sittema Augustine Society Illuminators ($50,000 – $99,999) Belk Foundation Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc. North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Anne and Russell Ranson, III The Stubblefield Foundation TowneBank Augustine Society Clarions ($25,000 – $49,999) Katie and Richard Bates Betsy and Mike Blair Charlotte Merchants Foundation Charles Klapheke Mary and Bob Long Jill and Don Olmstead Ann and Tom Temple The Wells Fargo Championship
Augustine Society Accelerators ($10,000 – $24,999) Carol Gray-Adler and James Adler Alpha and Omega Foundation Anonymous Kathryn and Darren Ash Charlotte Woman's Club Nancy and Bruce Downing Rebecca and Mike Drendel Annette and Shaun Dreyer Diane and Michael Dumais Kathy and Tom Ewing Faison Enterprises, Inc. The George W. and Ruth R. Baxter Foundation Wendy and Steve Hall Nancy and Rob Harris Brandy Hydrick The James Family Foundation Mindy and Bob Jones Mary Lynn and Michael Kayes Wandra and George Mackie The Martha and Spencer Love Foundation Odette Bonvouloir and David McCullen Cyndee and John Munce Norma and William Cannon Trust Christina and Dee O'Dell OrthoCarolina Foundation Paul Simon Speedway Children's Charities Laura and John Spencer Truist Bank Gray and Geordie Walker Ted Wolfe
Augustine Society Investors ($5,000 – $9,999) Julie and Omid Ahdieh Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Patricia Collins Martha and Eric Eubank Anne and Tom Fehring Beth Guinan Eleanor and Rick Hahn Gena and Robert Haywood Katie and Stuart Hicks Kathy and Ben Hill Kathy and Steve Horvath Kelly King Lift Up Carolinas Lee Ann and Barry McGinnis Jenny and Stephen Neill Katrina and Matthew Nichols Mary Ruth and Philip Payne Elaine and Joe Peterson Denise and James Ratchford, III Jan and Tommy Shealy St. Peter's Episcopal Church Teresa Starr TBA Investment Club United Way of Central Carolinas Julie and Perry White
Augustine Society Visionaries ($2,500 – $4,999) Dana and Justin Adams Allied Caster & Equipment Co. Bank of America Charitable Foundation Mary and Charles Bowman Krista Scavone and Jacob Braude CAPTRUST Community Foundation Charlotte Checkers The Dale Jr. Foundation Amy Levine Dawson and Alfred Dawson Katie Garvey Cindy and Curt Grantham Rusty and Tony Gray Halftime Carolinas, Inc. Faith Hamilton Josephine Hicks Ghazale and Andy Johnston Anjali and John Markey Debbie and David McCarthy Michele Melchior Ann and George Miles Arrington Mixon Jon Morris Rick Hudson and Jeremy Needham Kathleen and Thomas O'Bannon Anne and Scott Perper Julia and David Priester Claire and John Tate, III Robin and Steve Weaver Westminster Presbyterian Church Louise Whitley Mark Wilson
Augustine Society Champions ($1,000 – $2,499) Susan and Bob Adams Doug Anderson Josephine Armstrong Marc Atwood Jeff Baldyga Kary and Fred Beaman Sarah Belk Betsy and Bill Blue Beth and Bill Bowen Jean Brinkmann Larry Brown Susan Carr Marti and Tom Cato Carol and Milton Childress Mack Clark Mimi Burke and Bernard Clark Shirley Linn and Dumont Clarke Jean and Gene Cochrane Kathy Cornell Stephanie and Bill Cornett Sally and Ward Davis Sue and Jim Dulin Janice and Larry Elder Minna and Mike Elliott First Presbyterian Church Sally and Curt Fochtmann Davia and James Freeman Jenny Hutchison and Neil Giardino Elizabeth and Jeff Gore Kathy and Frank Graham Patricia and Frederic Gresset Kiri and Davis Hahn Janet and Steve Heffner Kathryn and Luke Kissam Mary Lynn and Steve Larson
Pledges and gifts received by June 30, 2025
MaryLou and Ron Larson Joan and Gene Lunman Dee Dee and Bill Maxwell Robin and John Maxwell Dorothy McGavran Ralph McMillan Nathalie L. Klaus Charitable Lead Unitrust Eve and Albert Nichols Richard Osborne Connie Ott Swati Pathak Courtney and John Ramey Kim Rickenbaker The Robert B. Taylor, III Foundation Patricia Rodgers Lizabeth Clardy and Ken Samuelson Lisa and Tim Saunders Ruth Shaw Marion and Mike Shields South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church Kristin and Andy Stinson The Stone Family Lucy and John Thomasson Kelly Zellars and Henry Trexler The Trexler Foundation Ashley and Joel Turner Craig and Martha Ann Wardlaw Allison Williams
Builders ($500 – $999) Ally Financial, Inc. Anne and Brent Bowman Alison and Patrick Boyle Karen Brown Libby and Davis Cable George Climer Margaret Commins Lucy and Perin DesPortes Casey and Jeff Dorsey Carolyn and Christopher Drake Bonnie Fleming Karen and Steve Gosselin Robert Griffin Ruth Hallmark Kim and Brian Heath Lyttleton and Thomas Hollowell The Horne Company Partners, LLC Gina Italiano David Jacobson JPMorgan Chase & Co. PAC Jane and Tom Kearns Margaret Koon Liz and Fred Lassiter Barrie and Lawrence Lewis The Marc and Mattye Silverman Family Foundation Virginia and Geoff Palmer Mary Pratt Barbara and John Purdie Sherri and Hank Ralston Marsden Sale Harriet Seabrook Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church Jo Shirley The Specker Family Alice and Brent Torstrick
Amy and Mark Vitner Deborah Majewski and Daniel Ward Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Gregory White Holly and Jim Wood Emily Woodrow Advocates Kim and Robert Adden Rebecca Fant and John Alday Amanda Allen Carol and Jim Bartos Tina Berry Sherri Biel Shannon Blair Kathryn Blanchard Roberta and Ed Bograd Jan and Jim Brittain Clara Brooks Jonathan Buchan Cynthia and Peter Buck Barbara and Richard Buckingham Merrily and Charlie Caldwell Gayle and Bryan Carey Kaky and Garland Cassada Helen Castle Janice and Scott Chappell Laura and Gary Cooper Ann Copeland Catherine Covington-East Hannah Craighill Katie Creighton Anne Davant Dirk Decker Meg Dewey Debra Disney William East
Teara Edwards Kevin Ellis Leigh Engler Patricia English Alex Fiszbein Ellen Fligel Fannie Flono Kathy Foushee Megan Fuller Robert Christopher Gammon Stephanie Ganey Kathy and Don Gately Beth Geiger Gail and Tim Gray Pam Gray Peaches and Jim Green Joel Griffin Jane and Frederick Grosse Jim and Patty Henderlite Kate Hill Ann and Bill Hinson Patricia and John Hoke Lauren and Colin Hood Pam Huggins Tammy Jackson Stuart Johnson Joan Kilian Bev King Jessica and Jimmy Klasinski Sarah and John Komisin Tammie and Lou Lesesne Natalie Lewis Whitney and Ken Loeber Mark Logan Billie Maitland Betsy Marshall Patricia Martin Joanne McAndrews
Kimberly McGirt Renee McKinnon Carolyn Miller Gwen Orland Gale Osborne Marcelle and Allan Oxman Len and Jean Pinkley Vivian Pinkley Liza Powers Jimmy Randle Becky and Lester Ranson John Roddey Beth Rogerson Roper Physical Therapy Debbie Round Sarah and Allen Shifflet Tim Sizemore Helen and Stan Spence Susan Spencer-Smith and Bryan Smith Robin Greene Sperling Marvelous Spraggins Fay and Jacob Stewart Sara and Joseph Taddeo Leslie and Barry Teague Kathy Thomas Mika Vela-Gude Judy and Richard Vinroot Julie Warner Alison Washburn Steve White Jennie and David Wiercisiewski Tracy and Kevin Wittman Jerri Workman Amy and Julian Wright Linda and Ben Wyant Margaret Zeller
2024–25 Financials Total Revenue $2,525,410 Foundation $1,237,000 / 50.4%
Contributions & Grants $2,453,694
Individual $935,600 / 38.1% Civic $131,500 / 5.4% Corporate $130,246 / 5.3% Faith $19,348 / 0.8%
Program $1,833,489 / 81.2%
Total Expenses $2,257,991
Fundraising $248,379 / 11.0% Management & General $176,123 / 7.8%
Give the Gift of Literacy
2025 Board of Directors
Advisory Council
Richard Bates CEO, Keenly Health
Charles Bowman Executive in Residence, University of North Carolina Charlotte Retired President, North Carolina, Bank of America
Rebecca Drendel Board Chair Community Volunteer ALP Tutor Lauren Hood Vice President & Governance Chair Bank of America, Communications Executive ALP Tutor
The ALP Board will match any new or increased donation made by December 31, 2025 up to $100,000. Leave a lasting legacy with planned giving. Help secure ALP’s future by naming us in your will or retirement account. For more information, contact Martha Overaker at moveraker@alpcharlotte.org.
Donate today!
Steve Larson Finance Chair Retired Actuary ALP Tutor Rick Hudson Secretary ALP Tutor Michael E. Blair Immediate Past Chair Principal, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors Annette Dreyer Development Committee Chair Community Volunteer ALP Tutor Faith Hamilton Retired Executive, Bank of America ALP Tutor
Kristen Howard Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Novant Health ALP Tutor Dorothy McGavran Professor (Retired), Queens University of Charlotte ALP Tutor
Chris Jackson President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Shannon McKinney Audit Senior Manager, Deloitte
Margaret Marshall Civic Leader Retired Member, CharlotteMecklenburg Board of Education
Krista Scavone Community Volunteer ALP Tutor
Dee O’Dell Head of Business Banking Sales, U.S. Bank
John Spencer Co-Founder & Executive Vice President (Retired), Source Technologies
Don Olmstead Co-Founder & Managing Director, Novare Capital Management ALP Tutor
Julie Warner Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Special Education Administrator (Retired)
Tom Temple Managing Director, Charlotte Office, Fidus Partners
Ted Wolfe Charlotte President, TowneBank
The Power of Literacy. The Power of Community.
Save the Date Community Celebration | Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 6–8 pm | The Casey by Beau Monde
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