First Literacy Invites Members of the Community and Corporations to Participate in the 35th Annual Spelling Bee
Support Adult Literacy While Testing Your Spelling Skills
BOSTON, MA –On Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 6pm First Literacy will host the 35th Annual Spelling Bee at the State Street Channel Center in Boston. Anyone who would like to form a team can do so. Corporations, family or friend groups, book clubs, church groups, or any other organizations interested in supporting a cause that benefits adult learners, teachers, and recent immigrants are welcome to join the fun.
The Spelling Bee is First Literacy’s largest fundraiser, having raised over $3.8 million to support adult literacy programs that provide life-changing educational opportunities for adults in Massachusetts. During the Spelling Bee, participants will compete by tackling words designed to challenge even the most skilled spellers.
A minimum, tax-deductible donation of $5,000 funds a team of three. Proceeds from the event support First Literacy’s work including: free professional development workshops for adult educators, scholarships for adult students attending college or vocational programs, and grants for innovative Adult Basic Education pilot programs.
Teams that commit to sponsoring by March 12, 2025, will be guaranteed a spot in the first round of pre-recorded play. Teams that commit after March 12 will have a chance to compete for the wild card slot in the lightning round at the in-person event but will not have a chance to take part in the first round.
Josh Binswanger, former WBZ morning radio anchor, will be back for his 15th year as Emcee.
“The excitement is building as we approach our 35th Spelling Bee,” said Executive Director Terry Witherell. “This signature event reflects our ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the challenges faced by adults with low literacy, while providing a fun and engaging experience for all. We are especially excited to encourage more community members and organizations to come together and form teams, and we hope to see even more groups joining us this year.”
A 2023 report from the National Center for Education Statistics highlights that 28% of U.S. adults rank at the lowest levels of literacy, a significant increase from 19% in 2017. This growing gap in literacy skills highlights the challenges faced by many adults in the U.S. when it comes to handling basic reading and workplace tasks. First Literacy is focused on solving this problem by providing grants for innovative Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and curriculum initiatives, scholarships to adult learners looking to better their education, and free professional development workshops for educators.
Sponsors for the 2025 Spelling Bee to date include Animal Rescue League of Boston, BNY, Brookline Bank, Deloitte, Fahey Family Charitable Fund, Franklin Templeton, K&L Gates, KPMG, MFS Investment Management, In Honor of Karen Morrissey, Newmark Group, Peabody Essex Museum, and UBS.
To learn more about the First Literacy 35th Spelling Bee and how to form a team, visit www.FirstLiteracy.org or email Amy Letteney at aletteney@firstliteracy.org.
About First Literacy
In 1988, a consortium of public and private sector leaders, including Mayor Raymond Flynn and Boston Globe publisher William O. Taylor, established the Boston Adult Literacy Fund (BALF) to expand and improve Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Boston. Twenty years later, BALF became First Literacy. With a focus on funding innovation in adult literacy, First Literacy plays a unique and critical role in adult education and literacy in Massachusetts. Through program grants, free teacher workshops, and scholarships for adult learners, First Literacy reaches over 8,000 adult learners and 200 teachers across Massachusetts every year. For more information visit www.FirstLiteracy.org and follow First Literacy on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram @firstliteracy.
