A child who struggles to read becomes an adult who struggles in life. Students in every corner of the United States are not reading at grade level – and those who live in vulnerable urban communities often suffer the most. In Detroit alone, 85 percent of students fall into the “literacy gap.”​ Your donation will help us provide intensive, one-on-one tutoring for a student, using our holistic, multi-sensory approach. It is proven to achieve grade level improvement in an average of six weeks. Join our mission to change the lives of thousands of students by providing the gift of literacy.

Our Mission: Founded in 2002, Beyond Basics is a student-centered, literacy-focused non-profit serving students in the “literacy gap” through a one-on-one, multi-sensory tutoring program that helps them achieve grade-level proficiency in an average of six weeks. At Beyond Basics, our mission is to eradicate illiteracy and transform the lives of students, and create stronger communities.

In addition to our academic program, we offer enrichment programs, extracurricular activities in the fine arts, business, and publishing, and mentoring opportunities as an exciting way for volunteers to get involved with our students.

We welcome volunteer support from adults in our community whose influence and mentorship greatly impact our children as they work together as reading buddies, taking field trips, and publishing books. Business leaders are invited to teach about their products and services (in-person or virtually), and to create hands-on opportunities for students to tinker, build, and learn. All interactions support literacy as children increase comprehension, build vocabulary, and practice public speaking.

Please click the button below to fill out our volunteer form, and someone from our team will be in contact with you.

$3,000 to sponsor a student one or more grade levels behind in reading for the year

$500 to sponsor a student in our Scholars program for the year

$280 monthly to sponsor a student one or more grade levels behind in reading in our Read to Rise program

$42 monthly to sponsor a student in our Scholars program

Any amount is appreciated!

When you shop at Kroger, please sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards program and choose Beyond Basics as the organization you would like Kroger to contribute a % of your purchase to!

When you shop at Amazon, please choose to shop through Amazon Smile. The Amazon Smile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your purchase to Beyond Basics when you select us as the charity of your choice!

KidCents program allows Rite Aid wellness+ with Plenti members to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar and donate their change to support their favorite charity! Please support our organization at KidCents Beyond Basics!