New FULCRUM Mission Statement
NEW FULCRUM MISSION STATEMENT REFLECTS CHANGES IN LITERACY LANDSCAPE AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO ENSURING ALL CHILDREN CAN READ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2025
CONTACT: Lindsey Colvin | info@fulcrumliteracy.org
OAKLAND, CA — FULCRUM announced the adoption of an updated mission statement: “To radically improve universal student reading outcomes by catalyzing the awareness, adoption, and effective implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction in school systems, educator prep programs, and policy nationwide.”
This new statement was designed to hone FULCRUM’s focus on key sectors, better define the organization’s approach, and reflect changes in the literacy instruction landscape.
FULCRUM’s previous mission statement—“To accelerate a movement of leaders who embrace and apply evidence-based literacy practices to improve student reading outcomes”—focused on catalyzing action and building momentum. The organization now seeks to build upon that foundation, continuing to drive awareness while placing greater emphasis on systemic change from the top down.
“October 2024 marked five years since launching FULCRUM,” said Executive Director Kareem Weaver. “It was time to re-evaluate our impact, efforts, and intentions and to ensure we’re on the most effective path forward. Our focus before was to accelerate a movement—I believe we’ve achieved that. The movement is well on its way, so now we need to put more weight behind making changes at the university and ed prep level, ensuring we have the right policies, systems, and tools in place for teachers to be successful in the classroom.”
FULCRUM’s vision of “a nation where all children learn to read” remains unchanged. The organization will continue dismantling barriers to literacy by educating stakeholders, providing access to resources and training, and acting as a bridge between communities to maximize impact.
ABOUT FULCRUM:
FULCRUM is an Oakland-based nonprofit with a national presence committed to fighting for literacy, the fundamental civil right of our time. We work with school districts, system and state leaders, educator preparation programs, and more to unite people across communities and create the conditions needed for lasting change. FULCRUM is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a 501(c)3 public charity. To learn more, please visit www.fulcrumliteracy.org.
###
