Participation in the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) is open to all organizations interested in advancing adult education 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, full (voting) membership and associate membership. The membership year is January 1 – December 31.

Full Members

Criteria for Full Membership

Full (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 Full 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 Full 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

To apply for or renew full membership, download and complete the full membership form.

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

To apply for or renew associate membership, download and complete the associate membership form.

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.