Literacy Mid-South Receives $2 Million Grant from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving
We are thrilled to announce that Literacy Mid-South has received a $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving Open Call. This generous contribution will help us further our mission of improving literacy rates in our community.
Yield Giving is a unique philanthropic organization founded by MacKenzie Scott that has distributed over $17 billion to more than 2,300 nonprofits since its inception. The organization's name represents the innovative idea of adding value by relinquishing control, a concept that sets it apart from others in the philanthropic world. More than 6,300 nonprofits applied for funding through the Open Call process, and Literacy Mid-South was one of the 279 organizations across the country to receive a $2 million gift, the highest tier of funding offered.
Literacy Mid-South has been a steadfast presence in the Memphis community for 50 years, working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to the literacy resources they need for success in education, work, and life. Our vision is clear but ambitious: we aim to achieve 100% literacy in Memphis. Our deep roots in the Memphis community, where most of our staff and leadership grew up, have enabled us to understand local families' unique needs and challenges.
"This gift is a recognition of Literacy Mid-South's vital role in the Memphis community for the last 50 years and an endorsement of our bold vision for the future. With these additional resources, we can continue our existing programs and expand our reach, distribute more books, and further engage with our community across all ages," said Sam O'Bryant, Executive Director.
Our impact on the Memphis community has been extensive, with various programs targeted at different age groups and literacy needs. For example, in 2023, LMS provided high-impact tutoring services to 2,250 elementary students, coordinated more than 1,000 hours of adult tutoring, distributed over 100,000 culturally responsive books, and ensured that more than 5,000 K-5 students had access to summer learning opportunities.
We have also been addressing the critical issue of summer learning loss, especially for students from low-income families who may not have access to costly summer programs. In the summer of 2019, 80% of students in LMS's Out-of-School Time program mitigated summer learning loss, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. Through its Tutor901 program, LMS has provided nearly 4,500 elementary students with high-impact reading tutoring, and more than 90% of families reported a noticeable improvement in their child's interest in reading.
As Memphis continues to grow, the role of Literacy Mid-South will remain crucial in ensuring that everyone has the literacy skills needed for a brighter future.
