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Beyond Basics
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Beyond Basics

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Who We Are:
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Beyond Basics

From our mission to eradicate illiteracy to the passionate people leading the way, this is where our story, values, and impact come together.

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Mission

Founded in 1999, Beyond Basics is a national literacy nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students unlock the power of reading. Our mission is to achieve literacy for everyone—transforming lives and strengthening communities through one-on-one tutoring, academic enrichment, and meaningful opportunities for growth.

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Our Story

  • 1999

    Pamela Good delivers winter coats to students at Herman Rogers Academy in Detroit. Later, she teams up with Dr. Joanne Wagerson to address learning inequities between the city and its suburbs.

  • 2001

    Pilot programs begin in Detroit elementary schools. They include art projects, book clubs, field trips, and student writing. Enthusiasm builds!

  • 2002

    Incorporates as a nonprofit, formalizes its early programs and establishes first in-school publishing center. Begins full time in Detroit’s Jamieson Elementary School thanks to the Farbman family’s generosity. The Webber Foundation becomes a major supporter.

  • 2009

    While operating in Detroit and Pontiac, Beyond Basics observes a profound literacy gap among participating students. Mercedes Benz Financial Services provides funding for reading and writing in Thirkell Elementary School, Detroit.

  • 2011

    Gordon Follmer brings Beyond Basics to Detroit’s Finney High School and duplicates results among older students. Family Literacy pilot offers adult GED services and reading tutoring; expands literacy tutoring to students in grades 3 through 12.

  • 2014

    The Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation announce a $2 million gift to Beyond Basics to help end illiteracy in Detroit’s public schools.

  • 2015

    Develops Reading Readiness, Read to Rise, and the Scholars programs with pilots slated for 2016 school year.

  • 2016

    Drs. D. Carl Freeman and Hilary Horn Ratner at Wayne State University validate Beyond Basics’ groundbreaking work. Brings its programs to Myers Elementary School in Taylor, MI.

  • 2017

    “A Day in the Life” documentary by Keith Famie tells the poignant story of Elijah Craft, a Beyond Basics student.

  • 2018

    The Durfee Family Literacy Center, sponsored by GM and located at the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit, opens to serve neighborhood residents of any age.

  • 2019

    Launches the Be the Solution campaign to raise $33 million and tutor 11,000 Detroit high school students in three years.

  • 2020

    GM donates $1 million to Be the Solution. Begins serving students virtually; duplicates in-person results.

  • 2021

    The A.A. Van Elslander Foundation donates $1.5 million to create the Beyond Basics Legacy Program at Denby High School honoring Art Van Elslander.

  • 2022

    Joique Bell starts initiative to bring Beyond Basics to Benton Harbor.

  • 2023

    Beyond Basics’ longitudinal study, conducted by Dietz Consulting with 3,553 students, showed high schoolers advanced an average of two grade levels—powerfully demonstrating students’ potential. Recognized as a Living Legacy awardee by the Detroit Sports Commission, Beyond Basics also champions national literacy through the Sense of Congress Bill – HR Res 738.

Mission

Founded in 1999, Beyond Basics is a national literacy nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students unlock the power of reading. Our mission is to achieve literacy for everyone—transforming lives and strengthening communities through one-on-one tutoring, academic enrichment, and meaningful opportunities for growth.

DONATE

Our Story

  • 1999

    Pamela Good delivers winter coats to students at Herman Rogers Academy in Detroit. Later, she teams up with Dr. Joanne Wagerson to address learning inequities between the city and its suburbs.

  • 2001

    Pilot programs begin in Detroit elementary schools. They include art projects, book clubs, field trips, and student writing. Enthusiasm builds!

  • 2002

    Incorporates as a literacy nonprofit organization, formalizes its early programs and establishes first in-school publishing center. Begins full time in Detroit’s Jamieson Elementary School thanks to the Farbman family’s generosity. The Webber Foundation becomes a major supporter.

  • 2009

    While operating in Detroit and Pontiac, Beyond Basics observes a profound literacy gap among participating students. Mercedes Benz Financial Services provides funding for reading and writing in Thirkell Elementary School, Detroit.

  • 2011

    Gordon Follmer brings Beyond Basics to Detroit’s Finney High School and duplicates results among older students. Family Literacy pilot offers adult GED services and reading tutoring; expands literacy tutoring to students in grades 3 through 12.

  • 2014

    The Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation announce a $2 million gift to Beyond Basics to help end illiteracy in Detroit’s public schools.

  • 2015

    Develops Reading Readiness, Read to Rise, and the Scholars programs with pilots slated for 2016 school year.

  • 2016

    Drs. D. Carl Freeman and Hilary Horn Ratner at Wayne State University validate Beyond Basics’ groundbreaking work. Brings its programs to Myers Elementary School.

  • 2017

    “A Day in the Life” documentary by Keith Famie tells the poignant story of Elijah Craft, a Beyond Basics student.

  • 2018

    The Durfee Family Literacy Center, sponsored by GM and located at the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit, opens to serve neighborhood residents of any age.

  • 2019

    Launches the Be the Solution campaign to raise $33 million and tutor 11,000 Detroit high school students in three years.

  • 2020

    GM donates $1 million to Be the Solution. Begins serving students virtually; duplicates in-person results.

  • 2021

    The A.A. Van Elslander Foundation donates $1.5 million to create the Beyond Basics Legacy Program at Denby High School honoring Art Van Elslander.

  • 2022

    Joique Bell starts initiative to bring Beyond Basics to Benton Harbor.

  • 2023

    Beyond Basics’ longitudinal study, conducted by Dietz Consulting with 3,553 students, showed high schoolers advanced an average of two grade levels—powerfully demonstrating students’ potential. Recognized as a Living Legacy awardee by the Detroit Sports Commission, Beyond Basics also champions national literacy through the Sense of Congress Bill – HR Res 738.

Driven by Purpose, Guided by Values.

Driven by Purpose, Guided by Values.

The Principles That Power Our Mission

We lead with Respect, treating every individual with dignity and empathy. We pursue Equity, ensuring all students have access to opportunity. Through Continuous Improvement, we embrace innovation to better serve those who need us most. We believe in Collaboration, because we are stronger together. We remain Task Focused, grounded in purpose and committed to impact. And we bring Positive Energy to everything we do—choosing optimism, persistence, and forward momentum.

These values guide us as we transform lives through literacy. They shape how we serve, how we lead, and how we grow. Click below to learn more about what we do at Beyond Basics.

Learn More About What We Do

Our Leadership

Empowering the Next Generation Through Education

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Making a Difference

A Literacy Nonprofit Organization, Changing Lives

Every student has a story. At Beyond Basics, we meet them where they are—with compassion, structure, and a belief in their potential. In just weeks, students can go from struggling to read to standing tall with confidence, pride, and a renewed sense of possibility.

Watch this short video to see how personalized support and meaningful enrichment transformed one child’s journey—and why your support matters.

Learn More About Beyond Basics Impact

Fuel the Future of Literacy: Invest in a Child’s Future

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31700 Middlebelt Road
Suite 200 
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

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