FACCT Initiatives receive fourth Helios Education Foundation grant to advance Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign (FGLRC), a state-wide project housed within the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts (FACCT) Initiatives, has been awarded a three-year grant from Helios Education Foundation, marking the fourth consecutive funding cycle since the Campaign’s inception in 2015. This new grant will focus on sustaining statewide growth, advancing innovative projects, and strengthening the Campaign’s long-term sustainability as it works to ensure every Florida child reads proficiently by the end of third grade.

“The Helios Education Foundation understands that reading is the foundation for lifelong success,” said Jenn Faber, Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign Director. “Research shows that students who read proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and achieve their full potential. When we support investments in early literacy, we’re not just shaping futures—we’re strengthening families, communities, and the economy. Through generous funding from Helios, our state and local campaigns will continue this crucial work to improve third grade reading outcomes across Florida.”

Since its launch in 2015, the FGLRC has grown from 10 county campaigns to 24 local campaigns serving 36 counties across Florida — impacting millions of children and families each year. The Campaign’s new funding through Helios will prioritize key initiatives designed to support early grade success and align state and community efforts:

• Informing Public Policy with a focus on addressing chronic absenteeism.
• Providing Technical Assistance to strengthen local campaigns.
• Coordinating Learning Exchanges among state agency partners.
• Enhancing Strategic Communications and Outreach across Florida.
• Implementing a Growth and Sustainability Plan to ensure long-term impact.

The funding comes at a critical time as FGLRC continues its mission to recover and exceed pre-pandemic third-grade reading scores. By leveraging a network of state and local partners, the Campaign will implement data-driven solutions and foster collaborations that address systemic challenges, particularly chronic absenteeism, a key barrier to student success.

“Ensuring every child in Florida becomes a proficient reader by the end of third grade is not just an educational goal—it’s an economic and moral imperative. The Helios Education Foundation has been a steadfast partner in our mission, helping us scale our impact and align state and community efforts to drive meaningful change,” said Michele Watson, CEO of FACCT Initiatives. “Together, we are working to ensure that every child has the foundation they need to thrive in school, career, and life. This continued partnership allows us to build on past successes while innovating new strategies to support children’s early literacy development and ensure every child has a strong foundation for lifelong success.”

“At Helios Education Foundation, we are proud to support the Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign and its unwavering commitment to advancing early literacy for Florida’s children,” said Helios Education Foundation President and CEO Paul J. Luna. “Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical milestone that sets the stage for future academic and life success. This partnership underscores our belief in the power of collaboration and innovation to drive systemic change, ensuring every child has the opportunity to build a strong foundation for a brighter future.”

While third grade reading scores have a variety of impacting factors and county scores vary across the state, Florida’s third grade reading scores saw positive movement up 5% in 2024, from 50% - 55% and continued progress is anticipated throughout 2025 as the campaign continues working with early literacy stakeholders, business leaders, philanthropic partners, and government agencies to achieve systemic improvements.

About the Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign

The Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign is a statewide project housed within Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts (FACCT) Initiatives serves as the state lead agency for all 24 local campaigns in Florida. FGLRC engages community, business and civic leaders, supports local efforts, and provides strategic guidance to help promote school readiness and quality instruction, tackle chronic absence, and improve summer learning opportunities, as well as engage parents as their child’s first teacher. Learn more at https://floridaglr.net.