Membership
Learn about our history and workParticipation in the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) is open to all organizations interested in advancing adult education, English language learning and adult and family literacy in the United States. Membership in the NCL provides opportunities to make a direct impact on issues and to collectively inform decision makers on the needs of the field.
NCL has two categories of membership for organizations: Core (voting) Membership and Associate Membership. The membership year is January 1 – December 31.
Review the two organizational membership categories below. Membership dues for each category is based on an organization’s annual budget.
Core Members
Criteria for Full Membership
Core (voting) membership is available to national not-for-profit organizations whose work is primarily focused on adult education (for example, adult basic education, family literacy, high school equivalency assessment and instruction, ESOL, immigration education, prison education). A national organization that is not primarily focused on adult education but does substantial work in the field will also qualify for full membership if:
• It is engaged in work intended to influence adult education public policy at the federal level
• It has a national membership or manages projects that are national in scope and/or it maintains a presence in Washington, DC
BENEFITS OF CORE MEMBERSHIP
Impact: Voting privileges in Board elections and any policy or other major decisions that the Board brings to the voting membership for consideration
Visibility: Inclusion in the list of full members on the NCL website, with link(s) to organizational website
Networking: Standing invitation to participate in two members’ meetings per year (spring and fall), with opportunities to interact with Congressional and federal agency staff
Insight: Standing invitation to participate in monthly policy calls and to interact with other members on the NCL listserv for legislative and other public policy and advocacy news
Influence: Opportunities to nominate a representative to serve on the NCL Board of Directors or on a Board committee
Annual Dues for Core Members
Dues for full members are assessed on a sliding scale determined by the size of operating budget of the organization or its relevant component.
• Small (up to $250,000): $325
• Medium ($250,001 – $1,000,000): $750
• Large ($1,000,001 or higher: $1,250
Associate Members
Criteria for Associate Membership
Associate membership is available to the following types of organizations:
• State, regional, and local not-for-profit organizations with a substantial adult education focus (for example, adult basic education, family literacy, high school equivalency assessment and instruction, ESOL, immigration education, prison education)
• For-profit organizations that are interested in supporting and improving adult education and family literacy
• National not-for-profit organizations without a substantial adult education focus but with a strong interest in working with NCL to strengthen adult education
BENEFITS OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Visibility: Inclusion in the list of full members on the NCL website, with link(s) to organizational website
Networking: Standing invitation to participate in two members’ meetings per year (spring and fall), with opportunities to interact with Congressional and federal agency staff
Insight: Standing invitation to participate in monthly policy calls and to interact with other members on the NCL listserv for legislative and other public policy and advocacy news
Influence: Opportunities to nominate a representative to serve on the NCL Board of Directors or on a Board committee
Annual Dues for Associate Members
Dues for associate members are assessed on a sliding scale determined by the size of operating budget of the organization or its relevant component.
• Small (up to $250,000): $125
• Medium ($250,001 – $1,000,000): $325
• Large ($1,000,001 or higher): $625
Questions? Contact the NCL by email at ncl@nationalcoalitionforliteracy.org or by mail at National Coalition for Literacy, PO Box 2932, Washington, DC 20013-2932.
