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READ BETTER BE BETTER
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 474003520 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE B92 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · readbetterbebetter.org
revenue
$1.5M
expenses
$1.3M
net assets
$2.1M
employees
74
volunteers
15
program ratio
72%
mission · from form 990

TO CONNECT YOUNG READERS AND YOUTH LEADERS TO INSPIRE LOVE OF LITERACY AND LEARNING.

profile · synthesized from sources

Read Better Be Better is an Arizona-based education nonprofit that connects young readers in grades K–12 with older youth leaders to improve literacy and leadership skills. The organization operates comprehensive reading programs and offers specialized high school pathways in education professions and civic leadership. It focuses on addressing Arizona’s low literacy rates, particularly the fact that only 41% of third graders read at grade level.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Comprehensive Reading Program
Reading comprehension and leadership program for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, pairing younger readers with older youth leaders.
Pathways to Civic Leadership Program
High school program focused on building civic engagement and leadership capabilities.
Pathways to Education Professions Program
High school program designed to develop leadership skills and explore careers in education.
activities · 2 groups

what they do

  • Guided Reading Intervention Programs 2 activities
    • Comprehensive Reading Program
      READ BETTER BE BETTER provides a comprehensive reading program for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
    • Comprehensive reading program for K–12 students
      Provides a structured reading program serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, aimed at improving literacy skills.
  • Justice Reform Convenings and Awareness Events 1 activity
    • Hosts annual Drive for Changemakers event
      Organizes the Drive for Changemakers event, first held on November 13, 2025, to engage the community in supporting literacy initiatives.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$1.54M
Contributions & grants$1.54M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.26M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$924K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.18M
Cash$1.62M
Investments$0
Liabilities$33K
Net assets$2.15M
Liquid reserves15.4 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue -1.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SOPHIE ETCHART BOARD MEMBER AND CEO 40 $78K
REBEKA JOHNSON COO 40 $29K
board members · 11
  • ANGEL AHUMADA RESIGNED 32022 — BOARD MEMBER
  • ARTEM TRETIAKOV — TREASURER
  • CAROL RHODES RESIGNED 5922 — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHASSITY ANDREWS — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAWN WALLACE — BOARD MEMBER
  • GARY LINHART — BOARD CHAIR
  • JEFF GEYER — BOARD MEMBER
  • LAURA ORY — BOARD MEMBER
  • MITZI WOODMORE — BOARD MEMBER
  • NORIANA HERMES — BOARD MEMBER
  • RACHEL AJA — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 2

who they work with

  • Arizona Education Progress Meter Government — Source of data on third-grade reading proficiency in Arizona
  • Kids Count Data Government — Source of data on Arizona's national education ranking