Arkansas Literacy Councils Inc.*

With more than 20 percent of adults in the state reading at or below a fifth-grade level, Arkansas Literacy Councils Inc.’s role is an important one.

The Little Rock nonprofit is the only organization in the state providing a volunteer-based program that focuses on improving the adult literacy rate.

Arkansas Literacy Councils was established in 1971 and has since grown to organize nearly 2,000 volunteers that serve more than 8,000 Arkansans each year.

Executive Director Marie Bruno says the mission is simple, but the results can be extraordinary.

“We know that literacy skills can empower people to reach their life goals and become productive citizens,” she said. “Helping low-level adults improve their basic skills has a direct and measurable impact on both the education and quality of life of their children.”

The nonprofit provides funding, training and promotion for more than 50 other nonprofit adult literacy councils in the state, all with the goal of promoting literacy among adults.

Bruno said about 70 percent of the ALC’s budget is from government funding, and about 30 percent comes from donors and fundraisers.

Two years ago, in order to promote literacy and to find more funding, the ALC created the Arkansas Literary Festival, which cleared $21,000 in 2004 and more than $50,000 in 2005. The festival has attracted big-name authors Garrison Keillor, Rick Bragg and Buzz Bissinger.

Bruno said she’d like to increase the funds raised through the festival to at least $60,000 by 2007.

“By giving the gift of literacy to someone, we are working toward improving many of society’s problems,” she said. “Our efforts have helped our local councils provide well-trained volunteers who have changed thousand of Arkansans’ lives for the better.”