Freedom Reads
- Assets
- $15.6m
- Revenue
- $14.5m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 14
- Location
- Hamden, CT
- Founding
- Data as of
- 12/2023
- EIN
- 87-3023665
Organization Overview
Freedom Reads is located in Hamden, CT. According to its NTEE Classification (P20) the organization is classified as: Human Service Organizations, under the broad grouping of Human Services and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Freedom Reads employed 14 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Freedom Reads is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Freedom Reads generated $14.5m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 2 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 53.4% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $4.6m during the year ending 12/2023. While expenses have increased by 55.4% per year over the past 2 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
FREEDOM READS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND CONFRONT WHAT PRISON DOES TO THE SPIRIT. WE BRING BEAUTIFUL, HANDCRAFTED BOOKCASES INTO PRISONS, TRANSFORMING CELLBLOCKS INTO FREEDOM LIBRARIES. THE FREEDOM LIBRARY IS A PHYSICAL INTERVENTION INTO THE LANDSCAPE OF PLASTIC AND STEEL AND LONELINESS THAT CHARACTERIZES PRISON. IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE FREEDOM TO THINK, TO CONTRIBUTE TO A COMMUNITY, AND EVEN TO DREAM ABOUT WHAT IS POSSIBLE IS TOO OFTEN CURTAILED, FREEDOM READS REMINDS THOSE INSIDE THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
FREEDOM LIBRARIES, PROVIDING CURATED 500-BOOK LIBRARY COLLECTIONS ALONG WITH THE PRODUCTION OF CUSTOM-MADE BOOKSHELVES, SPECIALIZED FREEDOM EDITIONS BOOKS, BOOK CIRCLES TO PROVIDE BOOKS OUTSIDE OF FORMAL FREEDOM LIBRARIES, AND A LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, ALL IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. FREEDOM LIBRARIES, PROVIDE ACCESS TO LITERATURE IN EMANCIPATORY WAYS THAT ALLOW THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH THE BOOKS TO HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS THAT INCLUDE, SPARKING CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND TRANSFORMING THEIR INTERNAL NARRATIVES, ADVANCING NARRATIVES AROUND LIBERATION AND JUSTICE AMONG INMATES AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF, AND BRINGING BEAUTY AND ART INTO THE HARSH PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF PRISON HOUSING UNITS.
COMMUNICATIONS.
FREEDOM STORIES, FOSTERING NARRATIVE CHANGE IN THE CONCEPT AND TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED AND FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS BY TRAINING AND EMPOWERING FREEDOM AMBASSADORS AND OTHERS TO DRAW ON THEIR EXPERIENCES INSIDE PRISONS TO CREATE CAMPAIGNS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND CHANGE POLICY. FREEDOM STORIES ALSO INCLUDE THE PRISON LETTERS PROJECT, WHICH AIMS TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED AND CREATE A WAY FOR ADVOCATES TO LEARN OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND OFFER HELP.
FREEDOM AMBASSADORS, FEATURING LITERARY TALKS AND MEDIA PRODUCTIONS, CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMER RESIDENTS (FREEDOM FELLOWS), THE LITERATURE TO LIFE PARTNERSHIP TO BRING SPECIFIC BOOKS INTO PRISONS AS SOLO SHOWS, AND THE FREEDOM TAKES, A PODCAST GEARED TOWARD LISTENERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF PRISON.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Tracey Meares Board Chair | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Deborah Leff Vice Chair | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Helena Huang Secretary | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Robert Raben Board Direct | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Reginald Dwayne Betts Founder & Ce | OfficerTrustee | 40 | $172,218 |
Tyler Sperrazza Production D | 40 | $119,631 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Jjoiners Libraries Fabr. | 12/30/23 | $1,165,766 |
Woodsouth Revival Llc Libraries Fabr. | 12/30/23 | $179,655 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $0 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $14,497,436 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $8,842 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $14,497,436 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $33,799 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$1,042 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $14,531,468 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $186,557 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $18,656 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $698,616 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
| Other employee benefits | $190,872 |
| Payroll taxes | $69,871 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $33,711 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $65,937 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $20 |
| Fees for services: Other | $461,327 |
| Advertising and promotion | $198,878 |
| Office expenses | $23,978 |
| Information technology | $87,170 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $148,813 |
| Travel | $143,718 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $3,942 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $43,093 |
| Insurance | $5,503 |
| All other expenses | $115,131 |
| Total functional expenses | $4,637,427 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $5,122,233 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $2,048,043 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $5,913,862 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $437,078 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $44,735 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $754,536 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $24,149 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $1,301,036 |
| Total assets | $15,645,672 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $183,656 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $1,312,234 |
| Total liabilities | $1,495,890 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $7,837,670 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $6,312,112 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $15,645,672 |