The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is a public charity based in Louisville, Kentucky. Formed in 1989, it works to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families, supporting multigenerational learning and coordinated family learning systems in communities.
Key facts about National Center for Families Learning Inc
In short: National Center for Families Learning Inc gave $736K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), top state Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 61-1159549
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $736,010
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- Average grant
- $25,380
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $20,575,567
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Next open deadline
- November 12, 2026 (Better World Books/NCFL Libraries and Families Award)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$20.6M
+6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$736K
+98.9% YoY
Grant Count
29
+262.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
-45.1% YoY
How National Center for Families Learning Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
NCFL’s mission is to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. Its family literacy model combines adult education, children’s education, parent education, and interactive parent-child activities. Its family engagement work brings families and practitioners together to support children’s learning, while its family leadership work develops parents’ skills to advocate for their families and communities. NCFL also supports cross-sector community collaborations to build coordinated learning systems.
Its grantmaking supports literacy and family learning efforts, including schools and school districts, libraries, adult education programs, early childhood programs, childcare centers, and out-of-school-time programs. The 2025 grantees included the Somali Community of Louisville, which says it fosters Somali individuals’ and families’ ability to advocate for themselves and participate in the broader community; Literacy Center of West Michigan, which describes itself as a community-based adult literacy provider offering free literacy and English-language instruction; Neighborhood Charter Network, which says it aims to develop students as leaders; and OneWorld Community Health Centers, whose stated mission is to provide access to quality health care services for all people.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NCFL reported 29 grants totaling $736,010. Grant amounts ranged from $5,434 to $60,648, with a median of $20,000. The largest awards included $60,648 to Bellevue Public Schools in Nebraska, $55,000 to Fayette County Public Schools in Kentucky, and $45,000 each to Kentucky Educational Development Corporation and YMCA of Greater Louisville. These grants were listed for literacy.
Review Cycle
is November 12, 2026.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from National Center for Families Learning Inc
Better World Books/NCFL Libraries and Families Award
National Center for Families Learning Inc
Amount
$10,000
Deadline
November 12, 2026
Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year Award
National Center for Families Learning Inc
Amount
$7,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Verizon Tech Savvy Awards
Listed byNational Center for Families Learning Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with National Center for Families Learning Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCFL describes its work as occurring across the United States. In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky (45%), Nebraska (26%), Colorado (11%), Arizona (6%), and North Carolina (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2023) to $895K (2019). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $736K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bellevue Public Schools ($61K). Together the top 10 received $437K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 56 (82%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue Public Schools Bellevue, NE | Literacy | $60,648 |
| Fayette County Public Schools Lexington, KY | Literacy | $55,000 |
| Kentucky Educational Development Corporation Ashland, KY | Literacy | $45,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Louisville Inc Louisville, KY | Literacy | $45,000 |
| Mesa County Valley School District Grand Junction, CO | Literacy | $44,892 |
| Avondale Elementary School District Avondale, AZ | Literacy | $41,947 |
| Somali Community of Louisville Inc Louisville, KY | Literacy | $40,000 |
| Marnel C Moorman Sr Family Life Center Shelbyville, KY | Literacy | $37,500 |
| Taylor County Board of Education Campbellsville, KY | Literacy | $37,500 |
| Adventurous Minds Produce Extraordinary Dreams Louisville, KY | Literacy | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $20,575,567 | $12,164,588 | $12,257,779 | $736,010 (29 grants) |
| 2024 | $19,310,195 | $12,310,189 | $10,577,463 | $370,000 (8 grants) |
| 2023 | $16,315,028 | $9,799,383 | $9,190,611 | $50,000 (4 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,575,567 | $19,310,195 | $16,315,028 |
| Revenue | $12,164,588 | $12,310,189 | $9,799,383 |
| Expenses | $12,257,779 | $10,577,463 | $9,190,611 |
| Net Investment Income | $501,351 | $587,358 | $362,880 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists E Susan Gourley as chair of the board and Nicole Chestang as vice chair. Directors listed are Richard Barr, Sharon Darling, Deenie Espinoza, Vikki Katz, Christopher Lehman, Candy Magana, Houston Mills, and Meredith Parente.
National Center for Families Learning Inc is led by Felicia Cumings Smith, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Felicia Cumings Smith
President & CEO
Director → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$70K (2022) → $291K (2025)
E. Susan Gourley
Chair of the Board
Director → Chair of the Board, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Darling
Director
President & Founder → President & CEO, 2022
President & CEO → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$269K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Tracy Teater
National Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$113K (2023) → $132K (2025)
Christopher Lehman
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Warren
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Gwen Wheeler
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith M. Parente
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard E. Barr
Director
Chairman of the Board → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vikki Katz
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deenie Espinoza
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Walters
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Houston Mills
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Candy Magana
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shea Coughlin
Senior Vice President
Vice President External Affairs → Senior Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$105K (2019) → $154K (2025)
Marc Otte
Treasurer & CFO
Vice President Finance → Vice President & CFO, 2022
Vice President & CFO → Treasurer & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$73K (2020) → $134K (2025)
Tony Peyton
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$164K (2023) → $188K (2025)
Nicole M. Chestang
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Denise Espinoza (2023) — Director
- Former: Barbara McDaniel (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jacquelyn Jackson Fleming (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Josh Cramer (2019–2021) — Former Vice President
- Former: Jessie Hardison (2019–2020) — Cfo-Partial Year
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 $291K, to Felicia Cumings Smith (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 325 West Main Street 300, Louisville, KY 40202-4237
Phone: (502) 584-1133
Website: https://familieslearning.org
Frequently asked questions about National Center for Families Learning Inc
How much does National Center for Families Learning Inc give each year?
National Center for Families Learning Inc gave $736K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $370K across 8 grants.
What is National Center for Families Learning Inc's typical grant size?
National Center for Families Learning Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $25,380, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does National Center for Families Learning Inc give grants?
National Center for Families Learning Inc's top state is Kentucky, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Nebraska (26%) and Colorado (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Louisville, KY (3 grants) and Omaha, NE (3 grants).
Does National Center for Families Learning Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 29 grants with a stated purpose on National Center for Families Learning Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Literacy" (29 grants).
Who are National Center for Families Learning Inc's largest grantees?
National Center for Families Learning Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bellevue Public Schools ($60,648), Fayette County Public Schools ($55,000) and Kentucky Educational Development Corporation ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Center for Families Learning Inc?
National Center for Families Learning Inc reported $20.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.2M.
What does National Center for Families Learning Inc fund?
NCFL’s mission is to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. Its family literacy model combines adult education, children’s education, parent education, and interactive parent-child activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Center for Families Learning Inc?
National Center for Families Learning Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check familieslearning.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is National Center for Families Learning Inc's EIN?
National Center for Families Learning Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1159549. 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.
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