THE KURT KARAKUL LITERACY AWARD

The Kurt Karakul Literacy Award honors the legacy of a visionary leader whose dedication to equity and education has changed lives across Cleveland.

Created through a generous gift from the Third Federal Foundation, the award recognizes a nonprofit or public service organization in Cuyahoga County doing exemplary work to advance literacy. Each year, we work with a panel of local leaders to select an organization that is making meaningful contributions to the elimination of literacy as a barrier for our children and adults. The selected organization receives a $20,000 grant to expand its impact at our Read Across America Celebration.

About Kurt Karakul

Kurt Karakul has spent decades championing literacy, education, and racial justice. As a young attorney working in juvenile court, he witnessed how low literacy levels trapped youth in cycles of struggle. That experience shaped a lifelong commitment to removing barriers through literacy.

As the founding president of the Third Federal Foundation, Kurt launched the Slavic Village P-16 Initiative, a cradle-to-career effort addressing education, housing, health, and safety in one of Cleveland’s most challenged neighborhoods. Under his leadership:

  • Quality pre-K seats increased tenfold
  • Kindergarten readiness rose by 185%
  • Third-grade reading scores jumped from 50% to 92%

Past winners include:

  • Seeds of Literacy, 2022
  • Reach Out & Read Greater Cleveland, 2023
  • America SCORES Cleveland, 2024
  • Kids’ Book Bank, 2025
  • Lake Erie Ink, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

  • One proposal describing the organization. The document must be no more than two 8.5×11 pages in length, no smaller than 11-point font to be accepted.
  • Two letters of support should be written by an individual to express their endorsement and approval to the organization. The letters must be combined into one document for uploading. Any additional letters submitted will not be reviewed after the first two are received.
  • Click here to review a sample application form.

  • Early Spring 2027

  • After the applications are received, The Literacy Cooperative internally reviews to ensure all the proper documents are submitted.
  • We then select an external committee outside of the organization, who commit to meeting several times to make a final decision.
  • The final decision is made in early 2027 where the recipient is notified first, then other applicants, and finally an announcement is made to the public in Spring 2027.

  • The Kurt Karakul Literacy Award is eligible to nonprofit or public-service organizations based in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, that serve residents.

  • Use the department or program information except for the “Organization’s Annual Operating Budget”

Apply Here

Is there a non-profit or public service organization in Cuyahoga County that shares Kurt’s passion and commitment for literacy in need of funding? Tell us their story.

Applications for the 2027 KKLA will open in Fall 2026.