Who We Are.

The Sacramento Literacy Foundation’s mission is to help all children achieve grade-level reading.  Formerly the Sacramento Public Library Foundation, the Foundation helped the Library grow its summer reading program because not reading in the summer is one of the top three reasons children fall behind.  The Literacy Foundation is a community literacy convener and directs its fundraising toward accelerating language literacy rates in the Sacramento region. Through donor support we have been able to make strategic investments in children’s literacy with positive results.

Revenue is generated by the Foundation through an annual giving program supported by more than 5,000 donors; major gifts from individuals including donor-named and donor-advised funds; foundation grants and corporate sponsorships; direct mail; and planned giving opportunities including gifts of securities, gifts of life insurance, Revocable Living Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts and gifts of property.

The Foundation is an independent charitable organization.

Meet The Board President

Headshot photograph of Ahamadou Bocar

Randy Getz

Meet The Board Officers

Headshot photograph of Randy Getz

Dr. Sobha Kollipara

Vice President

Headshot photograph of Denise Timmons

Ahamadou Bocar

Secretary & Interim Treasurer

Meet The At Large Board Members

Headshot photograph of Robert Honaker

Clark Carter

Headshot photograph of Jeannie Wong

Carlos Marquez III

Headshot photograph of Robert Honaker

Christine Shelby

Headshot photograph of Mary Ellen Shay

Mary Ellen Shay

Education Advisory Committee

The Education Advisory Committee is a formal group of educators and experts that inform the Foundation as we fund and support literacy programs.

  • Julius Austin, SHRA Program Manager – Resident Services/Resident Training Program/Sacramento Promise Zone
  • Todd Collins, California Reading Coalition, Founder
  • Elise Spang, Zaner-Bloser, Learning Designer
  • Becky Sullivan, Sacramento County Office of Education, Project Lead: Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Educator Training Grant
  • Maria Trejo, California Department of Education, Retired
  • Elaine Wallace, Twin Rivers Unified School District, Coordinator of Curriculum & Instruction and Professional Development
  • Tami Wilson, Sacramento County Office of Education, Director, English Language Arts Curriculum & Instruction

Foundation Staff