Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) is a public charity based in Rockville, Maryland. It coordinates adult English language learning in Montgomery County, supporting a network of about 60 ESOL programs through grants, professional development, technical assistance, and advocacy.
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy at a glance
In short: Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy gave $1.5M across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $61K), mostly in Maryland. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,465,853
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $61,077
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $542,014
- +7.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (11 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
- How to Apply
-
MCAEL describes an annual grants process with a community Grants Review Panel that helps determine funding. It encourages interested organizations to attend a grants information session covering grant types, the cycle timeline, and the application and review process. The listed session on February 19, 2026, is in the past. Specific application materials are not detailed in the available information.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9210 Corporate Blvd 480, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 881-1338
Website: https://mcael.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
Adult ESOL Access Grant
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adult ESOL Program Grant
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Pathway Grant
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Social Service Agency ($315K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 106 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCAEL’s grant program focuses on adult English-language learning in Montgomery County, Maryland. Applicants may have offices outside the county, but funded services must benefit county residents or people employed there. In the 2025 filing, 91% of grant dollars went to Maryland recipients and 9% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 24 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $64K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2019) to $1.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Social Service Agency Rockville, MD | Support Esol Program | $314,834 |
| Classroom 2 Community Rockville, MD | Support Esol Program | $233,527 |
| CASA Inc Hyattsville, MD | Support Esol Program | $220,233 |
| Community Reach of Montgomery Count Rockville, MD | Support Esol Program | $160,514 |
| Seneca Creek Community Church Gaithersburg, MD | Support Esol Program | $99,008 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdioce Washington, DC | Support Esol Program | $88,696 |
| Ana A Brito Foundation Inc Gaithersburg, MD | Support Esol Program | $71,648 |
| Ethiopian Community Center Inc Washington, DC | Support Esol Program | $46,000 |
| Vietnamese American Services Silver Spring, MD | Support Esol Program | $31,980 |
| Solutions in Hometown Connections Greenbelt, MD | Support Esol Program | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $542,014 | $2,633,869 | $2,571,468 | $1,465,853 | 24 | $1,444 |
| 2024 | $505,647 | $2,432,201 | $2,485,741 | $1,425,000 | 21 | $197 |
| 2023 | $610,807 | $2,265,903 | $2,313,657 | $1,342,005 | 22 | $196 |
| 2022 | $499,251 | $2,155,762 | $2,091,067 | $1,273,620 | 19 | $163 |
| 2021 | $435,756 | $2,025,678 | $1,974,697 | $1,276,320 | 20 | $145 |
| 2020 | $461,966 | $1,963,521 | $1,959,351 | $1,257,500 | 20 | $635 |
| 2019 | $387,760 | $1,881,899 | $1,794,174 | $1,190,000 | 20 | $1,275 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MCAEL’s mission is to support and connect adult English language learners, instructors, and programs to advance individual and community success. Its work includes grants for adult ESOL programs, professional development and instructor training, technical assistance, community learning groups, data analysis, and public engagement and advocacy.
The organization describes its grants as helping sustain and expand existing programs and establish new ones. Its grantees include organizations with varied missions: for example, Classroom 2 Community says it educates adults from underrepresented communities and advances equity; CASA says it works to build power and improve quality of life in working-class and immigrant communities; and the Ethiopian Community Center says it provides English-language and computer training and other services for immigrants.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MCAEL reported 24 grants totaling $1,465,853. Individual grants ranged from $6,509 to $314,834, with a median of $20,000. In filing year 2024, it reported 21 grants totaling $1,425,000. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 24 grants totaling $1.5 million.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $314,834 to Jewish Social Service Agency, $233,527 to Classroom 2 Community, $220,233 to CASA Inc, and $160,514 to Community Reach of Montgomery County. The stated purpose for each was support for an ESOL program.
MCAEL describes three grant types. Adult ESOL Program Grants support established programs offering at least 120 instructional hours per learner annually, with managed enrollment and established staffing and assessment infrastructure. Access Grants support direct costs for drop-in classes or programs offering fewer than 120 hours per learner annually. Pathway Grants support start-up or recently established classes; applicants must be Maryland-incorporated nonprofit groups, but 501(c)(3) status is not required. Program and Access applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, similarly designated organizations, or partnerships that include a 501(c)(3), and must be incorporated under state law. For all three types, beneficiaries must be Montgomery County residents or people employed in the county.
Funding may cover adult ESOL instruction and, depending on grant type, supports such as childcare or transportation. Program Grants may also support program management and organizational capacity. The website describes these grant opportunities as currently open. It does not provide an application deadline in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kathy Stevens as Executive Director Former and Ruth Jeung as Director of Programs. Listed board officers are Sean Klein, Chair; Ann Miller, Vice Chair; Stacy Parkinson, Immediate Past Chair; and Belen Michael, Secretary. The filing also lists Lauri Cleary, Gabriela Huff, Daniela Klingebiel, and Janice Stucke as board members.
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy is led by Gerard Etienne, Executive Director Current on the 2025 filing; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gerard Etienne
Executive Director Current
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Klein
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Jeung
Director of Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Kathy Stevens
Executive Director Former
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2023
Executive Director → Executive Director Former, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$102K (2019) → $124K (2025)
Stacy Parkinson
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Seo
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gabriela Huff
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauri Cleary
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Miller
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Belen Michael
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniela Klingebiel
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Stucke
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Gloria Haws (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joan Schaffer (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Stacey Fannon (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Beth Myers (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Venky Venkatesh (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Rodney Redmond (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gabriel Martinez Cabrera (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Leiter (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David E. Kay (2019–2021) — Chair
- Former: Marta Brito Perez (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Kim Brown (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $124K, to Kathy Stevens (Executive Director Former). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy
How much does Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy give each year?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy gave $1.5M across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 21 grants.
What is Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's typical grant size?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $61,077, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy that year got $64K on average.
Where does Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy give grants?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy gives mostly in Maryland: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Gaithersburg, MD (6 grants), Silver Spring, MD (6 grants), Rockville, MD (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Esol Program" (24 grants).
Who are Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's largest grantees?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish Social Service Agency ($314,834), Classroom 2 Community ($233,527) and CASA Inc ($220,233), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy reported $542K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy fund?
MCAEL’s mission is to support and connect adult English language learners, instructors, and programs to advance individual and community success. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy?
MCAEL describes an annual grants process with a community Grants Review Panel that helps determine funding. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's EIN?
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8015355. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/montgomery-coalition-for-adult-english-literacy-morg_fe16e676c8f54366926ef09d40b9654a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208015355_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/montgomery-coalition-for-adult-english-literacy-morg_fe16e676c8f54366926ef09d40b9654a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy down — hundreds of funders to go?