Selected successful literacy coalitions were examined to identify key issues and trends in coalition building. The six key issues identified (focus and functions, funding, governance, membership, key figures, and evaluation) were used as a framework to review the early efforts, current activities, and future visions of literacy coalitions operating at the following levels: (1) national (National Coalition for Literacy, Business Council for Effective Literacy, Project Literacy U.S., State Literacy Initiatives Network, State Literacy Exchange of the National Governor's Association, National Center on Adult Literacy, National Institute for Literacy); (2) regional and state (Delta Initiatives, Illinois Literacy Council, Indiana Adult Literacy Coalition, Maryland Literacy Works, Minnesota Adult Literacy Campaign); and (3) local (Arizona LEARN Labs Consortium, Maricopa County Adult Probation Education and Literacy Program, Baltimore Reads, Inc., Harrisburg and other local coalitions in Pennsylvania, Literacy Network of Kalamazoo County). The results were synthesized into the following tips for building a coalition: select a chair, maintain continuity, avoid competition, build flexibility, use ad hoc groups, allow for discussion, allow for lobbying, and establish a decision-making structure. Appended are a list of the types of organizations from which the Indiana Adult Literacy Coalition plans to recruit its membership and a list of coalition addresses. (Contains 34 references.) (MN)