Initial Teaching Alphabet
Initial Teaching Alphabet is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports education and literacy projects that use the Initial Teaching Alphabet (ITA), including work to prevent or remediate reading difficulties and to help English learners develop English literacy.
Initial Teaching Alphabet at a glance
In short: Initial Teaching Alphabet gave $563K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), top state Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $563,243
- +28.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $62,583
- +28.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $39,476
- Total assets
- $1,289,371
- -35.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Initial Teaching Alphabet
- Review Cycle
- Grant proposals are due for consideration by April 30.
- Deadline
- Grant proposals are due for consideration by April 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Peggy Westlund
Mailing address: C/O Jones Wolf Kapasi 630 Third Ave, 18Fl, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (320) 583-8048
Email: pwestlund@itafoundation.org
Website: https://www.itafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Initial Teaching Alphabet funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hutchinson Middle School ($140K). Together the top 9 received $563K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 43 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to organizations in Minnesota (45%), Illinois (31%), Puerto Rico (11%), Georgia (9%), and Florida (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Initial Teaching Alphabet gives
- Giving grew 81% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $312K (2021) to $563K (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $563K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson Middle School Hutchinson, MN | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $139,624 |
| Little Village Academy Chicago, IL | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $135,000 |
| Rochester Catholic Schools Rochester, MN | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $94,599 |
| Centro Metropolitano De Servicios Comunitarios San Juan, PR | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $63,544 |
| San Miguel School of Chicago Chicago, IL | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $39,476 |
| Soar Academy Evams, GA | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $30,000 |
| Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary School Wabasha, MN | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $21,000 |
| Investing in Kidsink St Augustne, FL | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $20,000 |
| Amani Women Center Clarkston, GA | To further promote and teach the foundation's primary goal - the use of the initial teaching alphabet | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,289,371 | $179,178 | $917,024 | $563,243 | 9 | $917,081 | $4,376 |
| 2023 | $1,986,915 | $2,099,844 | $596,117 | $437,265 | 9 | $596,117 | $4,349 |
| 2022 | $467,058 | $504,329 | $546,086 | $405,201 | 9 | $506,181 | $4,329 |
| 2021 | $559,258 | $554,297 | $460,548 | $312,042 | 9 | $458,824 | $4,297 |
| 2020 | $404,001 | $554,302 | $500,313 | $350,351 | 7 | — | $4,302 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to promote literacy by providing independent funding for the development and dissemination of best teaching practices in the use and support of ITA. It funds nonprofit organizations committed to advancing education through ITA, with stated priorities that include preventing reading failure among young children at risk of dyslexia, remediating reading disabilities and dyslexia, and helping English learners master English pronunciation, reading, and writing.
The Foundation also describes direct activities that include developing ITA lessons, software, and teaching publications; training grant recipients; and providing information about ITA to non-recipients.
Examples of supported organizations include Centro Metropolitano de Servicios Comunitarios, whose stated mission is to improve community quality of life through services such as tutoring, mentoring, family counseling, and assistance to older adults. Amani Women Center describes its mission as empowering and educating refugee women through culturally tailored programs that support economic security and well-being.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $563,243. Awards ranged from $20,000 to $139,624, with a median grant of $39,476. The largest grants included $139,624 to Hutchinson Middle School, $135,000 to Little Village Academy, $94,599 to Rochester Catholic Schools, and $63,544 to Centro Metropolitano de Servicios Comunitarios. The stated purpose for these awards was to further promote and teach the Foundation’s primary goal: use of ITA.
The Foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should be directed to Peggy Westlund. Required materials include the grant purpose; educational, environmental, faculty and staff information; the proposed research or project method; a budget; evaluation and reporting plans; an organizational overview; a detailed implementation plan; budget justification; information about project personnel expertise; the organization’s 501(c)(3) form; and an administrative letter authorizing submission. Recipients must be tax-exempt organizations supporting the use of ITA.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shelley Jerviss and Dr. Jane Anderson as directors; Erin Hemstead as secretary; Margaret Westlund as president; Edith Galvez as treasurer; and Linda Vaplon as vice-president.
Initial Teaching Alphabet is led by Margaret Westlund, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Margaret Westlund
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $14K (2024)
Jane Anderson
Director
Vice President & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$51K (2020) → $75K (2024)
Shelley Jerviss
Director
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Edith Galvez
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Erin Hemstead
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Linda Vaplon
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $75K, to Dr Jane Anderson (Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Initial Teaching Alphabet
How much does Initial Teaching Alphabet give each year?
Initial Teaching Alphabet gave $563K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $437K across 9 grants.
What is Initial Teaching Alphabet's typical grant size?
Initial Teaching Alphabet's median grant in 2024 was $39,476, and its average grant was $62,583, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Initial Teaching Alphabet give grants?
Initial Teaching Alphabet's top state is Minnesota, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (31%) and Puerto Rico (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Initial Teaching Alphabet give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Initial Teaching Alphabet's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Initial Teaching Alphabet's largest grantees?
Initial Teaching Alphabet's largest 2024 grantees include Hutchinson Middle School ($139,624), Little Village Academy ($135,000) and Rochester Catholic Schools ($94,599), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Initial Teaching Alphabet?
Initial Teaching Alphabet reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $179K.
What does Initial Teaching Alphabet fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to promote literacy by providing independent funding for the development and dissemination of best teaching practices in the use and support of ITA. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Initial Teaching Alphabet?
Initial Teaching Alphabet has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check itafoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Initial Teaching Alphabet's EIN?
Initial Teaching Alphabet's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-2074243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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