THE MISSION OF GOVERNOR'S EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATION (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 ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING BIRTH-5 BOOK DELIVERY, K-3 HOME LIBRARIES, CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT, STORYBOOK TRAILS, BOOK BUSES, AND THE STATEWIDE EARLY LITERACY EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE OF TENNESSEE.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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.8M
-6.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$22K
-17.8% YoY
Grant Count
2
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+23.3% YoY
About Governor's Early Literacy Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Governor's Early Literacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in NASHVILLE, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $19.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $22K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,829,433 | $21,187,455 | $14,335,895 |
| Revenue | $22,655,550 | $24,930,131 | $14,676,458 |
| Expenses | $19,682,268 | $23,200,310 | $13,764,764 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,135,582 | $531,188 | $214,722 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Chattanooga ($12,200), South Carroll Special School District ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH CARROLL SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT HUNTINGDON, TN | FUNDING TO DEVELOP AND/OR MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO MOBILE BOOK BUS | $10,000 |
| CITY OF CHATTANOOGA CHATTANOOGA, TN | FUNDING TO DEVELOP AND/OR MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO MOBILE BOOK BUS | $12,200 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRANDON GIBSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DANIELLE BARNES | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DENNIE TORR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH REED | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER COLQUITT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NANCY DISHNER | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| NICOLE WATSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRYAN JONES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES NICHOLSON | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JEFF BALLARD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM FRANKLIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAKE BYNUM | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMIE WILDMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES POND | PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $188,560 |
| DEAN HOSKINS | VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $149,293 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Governor's Early Literacy Foundation?
Governor's Early Literacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in NASHVILLE, TN. It holds $19.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Governor's Early Literacy Foundation?
As of 2024, Governor's Early Literacy Foundation holds $19.8M in total assets with $22.7M in annual revenue. It awarded 2 grants totaling $22K in 2024.
Where does Governor's Early Literacy Foundation operate?
Governor's Early Literacy Foundation has awarded grants in Tennessee.
What size grants does Governor's Early Literacy Foundation award?
In 2024, Governor's Early Literacy Foundation awarded 2 grants totaling $22K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's EIN?
Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1115704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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