The Kurt Karakul Literacy Award Nomination Form

The Kurt Karakul Literacy Award is an award presented annually by The Literacy Cooperative. The award and its $20,000 prize are given to a non-profit or public service organization in Cuyahoga County for outstanding service in literacy.

Is there an organization you know that shares Kurt’s passion and commitment for literacy? One that’s made a difference and could use funding to do even more? Tell us their story by nominating them using the form below.

“This Kurt Karakul Literacy Award is designed to encourage the next generation of literacy advocates while at the same time honoring a man who has made such a profound impact on our children and our community”, says Robert Paponetti, President and CEO of The Literacy Cooperative.

Click here to watch the Kurt Karakul tribute video.

PLEASE NOTE

  • The nomination statement should be no more than two 8.5×11 pages in length, no smaller than 11-point font, in a legible font.
  • The organization should have performed “outstanding service” for the community to advance literacy. The “service” may have been a program, or it may have been a single, specific activity. It may be “outstanding” because of quality or quantity; because it was new, original, or innovative; or for any other reason the nominator deems significant.
  • The nomination must include how the success of the program/service is measured and how it has affected the community in both the short and long term.
  • A substantial portion of the program/service should have been performed during 2025.
  • Previous winners are not eligible for nomination.

The application deadline is end of day on November 20, 2025.

If you have any questions, please email Hailey Barnett at hbarnett@literacycooperative.org