Literacy is a human right.

First Literacy changes lives

First Literacy helps Greater Boston adults get the basic education they need to improve their lives, their communities, and their children’s futures. We raise private funds and public awareness to support adult learners from learning literacy and English skills through transition to college. First Literacy increases literacy by:

  • Providing grants to outstanding literacy programs
  • Offering technical assistance to literacy programs and other funders
  • Providing scholarships and mentors to adults continuing their education
  • Supporting innovative technology and teaching
  • Assisting innovative projects that fill a gap in literacy services
  • Increasing awareness of the importance of literacy

What sets First Literacy apart?

First Literacy produces positive outcomes within a clear framework of accountability. Over 90% of our initial donors are still working with us to increase literacy because they know First Literacy transforms lives forever, for better. Our commitment to accountablity is a key factor in our success. We are commited to:

  • Measuring and monitoring our effectiveness
  • Supporting programs and projects that produce measurable evidence that our learners’ lives have improved
  • Advocating for community participation and control
  • Spending less than 5 percent of funds raised on administrative costs

Literacy benefits society

Literacy has a critical impact on social problems. Crime, health costs, economic productivity, a child’s performance in school, teen pregnancy, and more—all are improved by increasing adult literacy. Improve literacy and…

  • Adults get better jobs, provide more for their families, become healthier, act as positive role models for their children, pay more taxes
  • Health care costs are reduced
  • Civic participation increases
  • Our workforce is more productive, our economy prospers, and we all benefit.

Impact Profile: How literacy helps reduce healthcare costs

Low health literacy levels costs us and the U.S. economy $106 billion to $238 billion annually.

Health literacy is defined by the Institute of Medicine as adults’ ability to get and understand basic health information and their ability to find services and navigate the health system. Health literacy in the U.S. is shockingly low. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 36% of the adult population has Basic or Below Basic health literacy levels and cannot perform tasks like reading appointment forms or understanding directions on pill labels.