2025 Annual Report

Books Open Minds. Literacy Opens Doors.

Welcome

Dear Friends,

This year, The Literacy Cooperative continued to prove what is possible when a community believes in the power of books, learning, and one another.

Across Cuyahoga County, families opened mailboxes to find brand new books. Educators gathered to strengthen their practice. Adult learners took steps toward new credentials and new opportunities.

At a time when literacy outcomes remain deeply concerning nationwide, we remain hopeful. Early literacy, family engagement, professional learning, and adult education are not separate efforts; they are the bridge forward, creating pathways to lifelong success.

This year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library reached new milestones, delivering thousands of books directly into homes during the most critical years of brain development. Our family engagement efforts continued to support caregivers as children’s first teachers. Educators and practitioners strengthened systems that support learners across their lifespan. These programs work because they are rooted in evidence, strengthened by partnerships, and powered by community trust.

None of this happens alone.

To our donors, partners, volunteers, and supporters, your investment of resources, time, and care ensures that literacy remains accessible to families regardless of income or circumstance. Your collaboration brings our mission to life across Cuyahoga County.

We are proud of what we accomplished in 2025 and even more energized by what lies ahead. Books open minds. Literacy opens doors. Together, we are building both.

With gratitude,

Craig Dorn, Board Chair
Robert E. Paponetti, President & CEO

Highlights

In April, The Literacy Cooperative officially launched its refreshed brand during the 2025 Read Across America Celebration, reflecting the organization’s clarity of purpose, statewide reach, and commitment to accessible, evidence-based literacy solutions.

Impact

What’s working and why it matters

“The data and the voices of families are aligned: access matters, consistency matters, and partnership matters.”
Donald Jolly, Superintendent of Warrensville Heights City School District

Families

Supporting families through early literacy

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) continues to be a cornerstone of TLC’s work. Available throughout Ohio, DPIL provides enrolled children with a free, brand-new, high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed each month from birth until age five.

As the local program partner for Cuyahoga County, TLC has nearly 40,000 children who are currently enrolled. Since its inception in 2014, we have mailed 2.5 million books to more than 88,000 children.

In August, Ohio announced that families could enroll in DPIL through the birth certificate paperwork process. We can already see a significant increase in the number of newborns enrolled with 1,890 newborns enrolled through this process alone since August when compared to a total of 2,755 newborns in all of 2024. TLC is advancing partnerships with OB/GYNs, doulas, midwives, birthing educators, and postpartum care providers to ensure families are informed and empowered to enroll.

Measuring Impact: 2025 DPIL Participant Survey

The 2025 DPIL Participant Survey Report, released in 2026, received 1,859 responses and again demonstrated strong, positive impacts on family literacy habits particularly among families with lower incomes.

Key findings included:

  • About four in five parents are reading to their children more after receiving DPIL books
  • Nearly 90% believe DPIL is helping prepare their child for kindergarten
  • 96% share information about DPIL with other parents who are not yet enrolled
  • Over 90% believe participation is helping improve their child’s attention span
  • More than 90% believe DPIL is helping reduce screen time either very much or somewhat

When asked about the most important benefits of receiving Imagination Library books, families most frequently cited:

  1. Support for reading and literacy development
  2. Age-appropriate developmental benefits
  3. Excitement and anticipation of receiving mail
  4. Variety and diversity of books and topics
  5. Reduced barriers to accessing books
  6. Family bonding and quality time

Expanding Access & Community Support

Over 16,000 returned books were redistributed at more than 40 events and to 60 organizations on 90 occasions.

Whole-Family, Whole-Life Literacy

TLC hosted four virtual Healthy Families programs, reaching more than 481 registered families. Programs are available here.

Our weekly DPIL newsletter reaches over 35,800 families who are part of the program. In it, we offer important connections to resources offered around the county.

Systems

Building systems for lasting change

Professional Development

Educators are essential partners in building early literacy, and TLC remained committed to strengthening professional practice across Northeast Ohio. Nearly 150 educators and tutors participated in six professional development sessions and three lunch-and-learn events. Training topics ranged from the science of reading to the role of AI in the classroom, with many sessions now available on demand through our new digital learning platform. Learn more about Professional Development here.

Pre-K Teacher Training

TLC hosted its annual Pre-K Teacher Academy, a day-long learning experience designed for early childhood educators. More than 175 participants engaged in OCCRRA-approved professional development and Teachers Teaching Teachers sessions, learning directly from expert practitioners and peers. The Academy created space for collaboration, reflection, and shared learning, reinforcing TLC’s belief that strong systems are built when educators are supported and connected.

So, when their students asked where they were instead of school, they can answer…

Adult Education/Workforce Development

TLC partnered with The Centers (via El Barrio workforce division) to collaborate on a pilot program integrating contextualized literacy and language and GED preparation with Child Development Associate (CDA) credential training. Five participants enrolled; one completed a GED and another began GED coursework.

Public Policy & Advocacy

We engage policymakers, government agencies, funders, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to promote policies to sustain effective practices and spur greater effort at policy and institutional innovations and collaborations.

Staff continues to advise and advocate at the local and state levels, including for local and state funding for DPIL and Emergent Coaching for parents, testifying before the State Senate Finance Committee, participating in Groundwork Ohio Advocacy Day and continuing leadership roles with the Ohio Workforce Coalition, Ohio PN-3 Coalition and Black Child Development Institute of Ohio.

Two-Generation (2Gen) Collaborative

The 2Gen Collaborative advanced systems-level work through:

  • An Advocacy Action Team developing a focused agenda on healthcare and mental health, early childhood education, and economic assets.
  • Peer-to-peer/Professional Development Team delivered lunch and learn sessions on Ages & Stages, Triple P, and youth behavioral health.
  • The work of the 2Gen Collaborative continues today as a resource network for partners to share updates, events, and opportunities through The Literacy Cooperative’s website and emails.

Community

Showing up, celebrating, and connecting

Read Across America Celebration

Our annual Read Across America Celebration held in April was absolutely electrifying, with Dr. Amy Acton as keynote speaker and Margaret Bernstein as Emcee.

We presented the Kurt Karakul Literacy Award to the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, recognizing their outstanding commitment to advancing literacy access and equity for children across Greater Cleveland. The event brought together donors, partners, educators, and community leaders to celebrate literacy, honor impact, and invest in the future of reading in Cuyahoga County, generating $42,000 at the paddle raise.

CLE Bee 10

The Literacy Cooperative celebrated a decade of dedication at the 10th annual CLE Bee, uniting competitors to battle over words and fund the lifelong success that literacy guarantees. Thanks to Emcee Mike McIntyre, Judge John Russo, and word readers Jon Doss and Mike Snyder who kept the energy high while teams battled over challenging words.

The heart of the evening was found in the powerful testimonials by Tomika Johnson, a parent of Imagination Library alumnus, Juanye, who shared how the books transformed her son, and Board Member Carole Beaty who shared a testament to the profound importance of having books in the home. Youth Opportunities Unlimited claimed victory with the winning word “solecistic.”

  • Total Revenue: $74,309
  • 20 teams

Judson Manor Spelling Bee

TLC brought the spelling competition to senior residents at Judson Manor, celebrating lifelong learning and love for the game.

Support

Powering the mission

TLC Volunteer Corp

More than 160 volunteers contributed over 1,300 hours of service valued at $42,000. Volunteers supported events, newborn enrollments, office work, book redistribution, and outreach. 15 corporate and community groups assisted at 21 events preparing undeliverable books for reuse.

Friends of Literacy

The Friends of Literacy group continued to lead fun, engaging, and effective community events, including:

  • 2 “Peeling Parties”
  • 1 Trivia Night

Together, these efforts have raised more than $13,000 since 2022.

Donor Impact & Philanthropy

In 2025, The Literacy Cooperative had 166 new donors!

We are deeply grateful to every individual, foundation, organization, and business that chooses to invest in literacy. Your support is laying the groundwork for a more just, literate, and connected future.

Funding Sources

As the local program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, TLC is responsible for financially supporting the program in Cuyahoga County, which includes cost of books, mailing and staffing. The national program provides infrastructure and pricing support, but each book delivered depends on donations from our community.

In 2025, funding came from a mix of philanthropic gifts, government support, and foundation grants. Local philanthropy, especially from individuals, family foundations, and donor advised funds remains essential to sustaining and growing Imagination Library.

Financials

Donut chart of revenue sources with amounts: Grants 549,274; Government 183,756; Donations 120,853; Events 100,903; Other 99,634.
Donut chart of expenses by category: Program Expenses $806,352, Management & General $204,822, Fund Development $138,426.

2025 Donors List

Bruening Foundation Cuyahoga County Council Mr. & Mrs. John & Jill Davies
City of Cleveland The Cleveland Foundation Martha Holden Jennings Foundation

Abington Foundation The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Sherwin Williams Foundation
Akron Children’s Hospital Mr. Kenn Karakul & Mr. James Held Stocker Foundation
Cleveland Cliffs Lubrizol Foundation Synthomer Foundation
Cuyahoga Community College Mastrantoni Family Foundation Fund Third Federal Foundation
Eaton Corporation Mt. Sinai Health Foundation Thomas H. White Foundation
Healthy Lakewood Foundation PNC Bank William M. Weiss Foundation
Higley Fund Mr. Dick Pogue
Huntington Bank Scripps Howard Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Joanie Adler DMS Management Solutions MJH Foundation
Ms. Nicole Anderson findhelp.org National Philanthropic Trust
Ms. Carole Beaty First Federal Lakewood Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Mary Beth Paponetti
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP Mr. Dan Fluharty Mr. Robert Paponetti
Ms. Sally Brocious & Mr. John Bender Ms. Kristin French & Mr. Rob Fischer Ms. Pauline Ramig
Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Campanella Mr. & Mrs. Paul & Michelle Harris Rotary Club of Cleveland
Mrs. Bonnie Caplan Ms. Maryann Hudak Rotary Club of Lakewood & Rocky River
The Caplan Wright Family Fund Ms. Barbara Johnson Ms. Meredith Seikel
The Centers Jones Day Simple Generosity
Citrin Cooperman Kaulig Companies Ms. Katie Solender & Dr. William Katzin
Cleveland Clinic KeyBank Ms. Cheryl Stephens
Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank Ms. Erin Lea Mr. Mark Swary
Cleveland State University Ms. Mary Beth Majoros & Mr. Kirk Schmink United Black Fund
College Now Greater Cleveland Margaret W. Wong & Associates Walmart Spark Good
Corrigan Krause CPAs Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Mary Marita Ms. Heather Ways
Mr. & Mrs. Tom & Diane Coury The Maurice Saltzman Youth Panel William E. and Mary F. Conway Fund
Ms. Julie Crocker Mr. Jim Mermis Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Ms. Laura Adiletta Ms. Adrianne Hanneman Ms. Bella Patel
Ms. Phyllis Alford Mr. David Hanson Ms. Debi Pence-Meyenberg
Ms. Dianne Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Brad Harrington Ms. Mary Phillips
Mr. & Mrs. William & Catherine Annable Mr. Albert Harsar Ms. Melissa Pompili
Ms. Alison Archer Ms. Melody Joy Hart Dr. Monyka Price
Ms. Laureen Atkins-Holliday Mr. & Mrs. Rob & Jennifer Hartford Ms. Sonia Pryor
Ms. Karen Bartels Ms. Diane Hennessey Mr. Craig Richards
Mr. Mark Basista Ms. Tiffany Hill Ms. Meghan Richards
Mr. James Bates Ms. Ami Hollis Ms. Linda Robertson
Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Megan Bauman Ms. Courtney Horne Rocky River Association of Firefighters Local 659
Rev. John & Linda Beaty Ms. Katherine Horne Ms. Jan Roller
Ms. Lisa Behm Ms. Becca Huntington Mr. & Mrs. Louis & Savery Rorimer
Ms. Maryann Bencic Ms. Ayah Ighneim Ms. Claire Rosacco
Ms. Angela Bennett Mrs. Pamela Isquick Ms. Enid Rosenberg
Ms. Brontie Benn-Phillips Ms. Michelle Jarboe LeVine Ross
Ms. Kristi Bergren Mr. Clarence Johnson Hon. John Russo
Indrani Bhattacharjee Ms. Sandy Kish Jordan Ms. Julie Schmitt
Ms. Alison Black Mr. David Juchnik Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Anne Schoff
Ms. Sharon Blecher Judson Mrs. Pamela Scott
Ms. Gloria Blevins Ms. Kristen Kaltenstein Mr. Bryan Selestak
Ms. Jessica Boiner Ms. Barbara Kamen Mrs. Jacqui Selestak
Mr. Nathan Boninger Ms. Caroline Kamen Ms. Koyen Shah
Mr. Ron Boninger Mr. Conner Karakul Ms. Alissa Campbell Shaw
Ms. Annie Breitenstein Mr. Kurt Karakul Ms. Michelle Sheley
Mrs. Lynne Breitenstein-Aliberti Ms. Mary Beth Karakul Mr. & Mrs. Ron Soeder
Mr. Robert Campana Dr. Monique Katsuki Ms. Jenny Sohn
Mr. Vincent Campanella Kim & Paul Pesses Family Philanthropic Fund Mr. Joseph Spoerl
Chariot/Good Today Mr. Michael Knoblauch Mr. Evan Stefanski
Ms. Patti Choby Ms. Laurie Kroft Mrs. Rachel Stefanski
Mr. Tim Collins Ms. Megan Krutsch Mr. & Mrs. Glen Stevens
Mr. Tony Contrucci Ms. Danielle Konkoly Ms. Eileen Strauss
Ms. Judith Crocker Mr. Nathan Krikke Mrs. Kati Szamos
David & Enid Rosenberg Family Foundation Ms. Megan Krutsch Mrs. Janis Shelton
Mr. Joseph DeStefano Mr. Paul Kudlak Ms. Nancy Sidell
Ms. Wendy Deuring Ms. Wendy Kulick Mr. Chris Sinagra
Ms. Laura Dolan Ms. Rebecca Kusner Mr. & Mrs. Jeff & Anne Smith
Ms. Amina Doleh Suet Lam Ms. Debbie Smith
Mr. Craig Dorn & Ms. Sandra Silo Ms. Celia Lamb Mr. & Mrs. Mike & Janice Snyder
Ms. Heather Drago Dr. Arthur Lavin Ms. Usha Stiefel
Mr. Karl Driggs Ms. Monica Lloyd Mrs. Nancy Sullivan
Mr. Dan Eberhardt Mr. Jaime Lombardo Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Ms. Ruth Eppig Ms. Anna Love Ms. Jill Tatem
Dr. Doris Evans Mac’s Backs Bookstore, Inc. Ms. Ann Thompson
Ms. Meagen Farrell Ms. Lisa Manzari Ms. Renee Timberlake
Ms. Tippi Foley Mr. Joe Marita Ms. Emily Tarr
Ms. Lynn Foran Mr. Ian Marks Ms. Connie Thackaberry
Mr. Glenn Forbes Ms. Jessica Mathewson Ms. April Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. James & Janet Foster Mr. Edward Matuszak Ms. Megan Turner
Ms. Janet Foster Ms. Denise McCory Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Mr. & Mrs. Roger & Barbara French Ms. Mary McNamara Ms. Suzannah Valdivia
Ms. Maureen Frey Ms. Katherine Menges Valebimus Fund
Mr. Matthew Gierke Mr. Hunter Miller Ms. Suzana Vujasin
Mr. Matthew Ginter Mr. Bruce Millinger Ms. Sharon Watts
Ms. Corinne Gist Ms. Mary Lou Morella Ms. Claire Weibel
Ms. Jackie Godic Mrs. Elyse Mulligan Ms. Jennifer Wiggins-Lyndall
Mrs. Kaira Gramley Ms. Katheryn Nally Ms. Linda Jo Wilson
Mrs. Laura Hall Jana Nassif Ms. Eliza Wing
Ms. Yvonka Hall Dr. Robert Needlman Ms. Margaret Wong
Ms. Rosemary Halun Ms. Patricia Ochman Mr. Keith Zangara
Ms. Laura Hamilton Parma Area Kiwanis

Ms. Lillianna Aliberti Mr. Jose Alicea Sa’Sha Augustine Mr. George Barany
Mr. Stephen Bastian Ms. Kathryn Baumgartner Dr. & Mrs. Steve & Patie Beaty Ms. Sue Bevis
Ms. Hayley Bock Ms. Stacey Boycik Mr. Roger Boyer Jr. Ms. Kathryn Bruce
Ms. Jessie Burton Ms. Cara Byrne Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Carlini Ms. Preethi Chidambaram
Ms. Madeline Cipolla Ali Clark Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Judith Cohen Ms. Susan Conover
Ms. Brigid Conway Ms. Tonya Craig Ms. Katherine Crawford Ms. Marianne Crosley
Ms. Margaret Currie Ms. Coretta Daniel Ms. Beth Darmstadter Ms. Ivette Davis
Ms. Sarah Davis Ms. Maura Rosario Ms. Laura Douglas Ms. Marion Eastman
Ms. Nancy Farinacci Ms. Joanne Federman Mr. Benjamin Forman Ms. Vallery Gaines
Ms. Laura Gambrell Ms. Monica Gaulden Ms. Jessica Gue Ms. Erinn Hagan
Ms. Kelly Tabay Hainer Ms. Susan Hanlon Mrs. Jennifer Holland Mr. Brandon Howard
Inpact Mrs. Amy Jacobs-Michael Ms. Tomika Johnson Mr. John Jones
Mr. Steve Kammer Ms. Katie Kamykowski Ms. Kirsten Karakul Ms. Sonia Karkare
Ms. Mary Kelley Mr. John Kerezy Mr. John King Mr. Jason Kluk-Barany
Cherie Kmetz Lakeshore Learning Materials Ms. Hannah Laubach Mr. & Mrs. David Mast
Mr. Justin Matey Ms. Mindy Mazanec Ms. Kim McAfee Ms. Molly McDonnell
Ms. Laura McGraw Ms. Jennifer McNellie Mr. Peter Miller Ms. Kelsey Moore
Ms. Susan Murphy Mr. David Nickerson Ms. Annie Nickoloff Ms. Anouska Norman
Dr. Mary O’Connor Palmer Holland Ms. Judy Payne Mr. Caleb Peters
Play Matters Toys Ms. Nicole Price Mr. Eyad Quraan Ms. Therese Razzante
Mr. Michael Reihard Ms. Kate Riley Ms. Diana Rosa Mr. Joseph Rzeszut
Mr. Derek Saylor Mr. Ron Schmidt Ms. Jessica Schurr Ms. Macin Sheeder
Ms. Shelley Shockley Ms. Joan Spoerl & Dr. Ken Sakaie Ms. Kaetlyn Stankie Mrs. Brittany Steinman
Ms. Holly Storm Mr. David Suh Dr. Roopa Thakur Ms. Eboney Thornton
Ms. Christine Titas Ms. Kylie Toronski Ms. Kristen Trolio Ms. Colleen Tsironis
Ms. Andrea Turner Mr. Jim von der Heydt Mr. Nicholas Walstrom Mrs. Janice Wanko
Ms. Sindy Warren Ms. McKenzie Watson Ms. Colleen Watt Mr. Clay White
Ms. Chalana Williams Ms. Colleen Williams Ms. Regime Willis Ms. Jennifer Wilson
Ms. Heather Wintle Dr. Mary Wong Ms. Carla Zegerman & Mr. Andrew Cygan Mr. Joseph Zern

Board Members

  • Carole Beaty
  • Sally Brocious
  • Tony Contrucci
  • Craig Dorn, Chair
  • Daniel Eberhardt
  • Daniel Fluharty
  • Vallery Gaines, Secretary
  • Al Harsar, Treasurer
  • Laura Hall
  • Donald Jolly
  • Kurt Karakul, Vice-Chair
  • Monique Katsuki
  • Celia Lamb
  • Elyse Mulligan
  • James von der Heydt
  • Suzana Vujasin
  • Carole Beaty
  • Sally Brocious
  • Tony Contrucci
  • Craig Dorn, Chair
  • Daniel Eberhardt
  • Daniel Fluharty
  • Vallery Gaines, Secretary
  • Al Harsar, Treasurer
  • Laura Hall
  • Donald Jolly
  • Kurt Karakul, Vice-Chair
  • Monique Katsuki
  • Celia Lamb
  • Elyse Mulligan
  • James von der Heydt
  • Suzana Vujasin