Center for Plain Language

What Center for Plain Language does

The Center for Plain Language is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2003 in Richmond, Virginia, that advances clear communication practices across government agencies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and other sectors. It operates as an advocacy, standards, and recognition body rather than a software vendor; its core offerings are the ClearMark Awards (North America's premier plain language recognition program, held annually since 2010), the Federal Plain Language Report Card (annual grading of U.S. federal agencies' compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010, issued since 2012), the Karen Sokohl Award for individual contributors, and the WTF Awards highlighting poorly written communications. The organization also delivers training through workshops and webinars, publishes plain language guidelines and e-books, and maintains a consultant referral directory where member consultants are listed for a $100 annual fee.

The Center generates revenue through four primary streams: membership subscriptions (Advocate and Volunteer tiers), workshop and webinar registration fees (e.g., $45 for members, $75 for non-members), corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 (Contributor) to $5,000 (Benefactor), and ClearMark Awards entry fees. Its distribution is community-led, anchored by the annual ClearMark Awards ceremony (historically at the National Press Club in Washington, DC; in 2026 held virtually via the Institute for Healthcare Advancement Health Literacy Conference), a website serving as the primary self-serve resource hub, and active social media channels. Strategic partnerships with the Institute for Healthcare Advancement, Partnership for Public Service, the International Plain Language Federation, and Plain Language Association International extend its reach domestically and internationally.

The Center holds a quasi-regulatory position in the U.S. plain language ecosystem: it was instrumental in the passage of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, and through the International Plain Language Federation it contributed to the development of ISO 24495-1:2023, the first international plain language standard. Leadership includes founder Annetta Cheek (former Board Chair, now an advocacy volunteer), current Chair Susan Kleimann, PhD, and Vice Chair David Lipscomb. The organization is governed by an independent board, has no parent company, and operates without private equity backing.

Name

Center for Plain Language

Legal name

The Center for Plain Language

Website

https://centerforplainlanguage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Plain Language is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2003 that advances clear communication through awards programs, federal agency report cards, training workshops, and a consultant referral network serving government agencies, healthcare organizations, and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Learning Centers (ESL/EFL & World Languages) (EDANAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

International/Transnational Accreditation & Recognition Bodies (EDADACAG), Adult & Workplace English (ESP) Materials (EDAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Plain language advocacy
• Clear communication training
• Federal report cards
• Plain language consulting
• Communication awards programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization generates revenue through membership subscriptions, with different tiers including Advocate membership and consultant listing fees ($100/year for consultants to be listed in the referral network.
2. Workshop and Webinar Fees: The Center charges registration fees for workshops and webinars, such as the 'Listening to the Legends' webinar at $45 for members and $75 for non-members.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support the organization at various levels (Benefactor $5,000, Patron $2,500, Sustainer $1,500, Supporter $1,000, Contributor $500) with logo placement at awards programs.
4. ClearMark Awards Entry Fees: Organizations pay entry fees to submit work for ClearMark Awards consideration, with member discounts available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Plain Language is a 501c3 nonprofit that champions clear communication through an integrated suite of advocacy, recognition, and educational programs. Its core offerings include the ClearMark Awards (North America's premier plain language awards), the Federal Plain Language Report Card (annual grading of federal agency compliance), workshops and webinars on plain language principles, a consultant referral directory, and membership programs for individuals and organizations.

Product overview

The Center for Plain Language is a nonprofit organization (501c3) that champions clear communication so people and organizations can thrive. Its core offerings are organized as an integrated suite of advocacy, recognition, and educational programs rather than a unified software product. The main offerings include: the ClearMark Awards (North America's premier plain language awards recognizing excellence in English, French, and Spanish communications); the Federal Plain Language Report Card (annual grading of U.S. federal agency compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010); the Karen Sokohl Award (recognizing individuals' contributions to plain language); and the WTF Awards (Work That Fails - recognizing poorly written communications). Complementing these awards programs are educational services including Workshops and Webinars, the Plain Language Tools and Training Resources, and Getting Started with Plain Language programs. The organization also maintains a Consultants Directory connecting organizations with plain language experts, offers membership programs with member discounts, and publishes reports including the TIME Privacy Policy Report and Partnership for Public Service analyses. Since 2012, the Center has issued annual Federal Plain Language Report Cards evaluating executive branch agency compliance, and since 2010 has presented the ClearMark Awards during annual ceremonies, often in partnership with organizations like the Institute for Healthcare Advancement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ClearMark Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding examples of clear, accessible communication in English, French, and Spanish from government agencies, nonprofits, and private sector organizations. Categories include Grand ClearMark, ClearMarks of Distinction, and ClearMarks of Merit across websites, documents, multimedia, and legal communications.
• Federal Plain Language Report Card Annual evaluation program that grades U.S. federal agencies on their compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010. The report card assesses agency websites and written communications, assigning letter grades for compliance and writing quality. Issued yearly since 2012, evaluating 20+ executive branch agencies.
• Karen Sokohl Award Annual award program recognizing individuals who make significant contributions to plain language communication. Named in honor of Karen Sokohl, the award is presented during the ClearMark Awards ceremony.
• WTF Awards (Work That Fails) Annual award program that recognizes poorly written communications as a counterpoint to the ClearMark Awards. Highlights confusing legal documents, unintelligible financial communications, and other examples of unclear writing. Previously called the WonderMark Awards.
• Workshops and Webinars Training programs and educational sessions on plain language topics. Offerings include live webinars, workshops held in conjunction with the ClearMark Awards in Washington DC, and regional trainings with local co-sponsors. Programs include the 'Listening to the Legends: Pioneers of Plain Language' webinar series and specialized training on plain language principles.
• Plain Language Tools and Training Resources Collection of resources including the Guidelines for Plain Language, tools for creating better content, and materials that help colleagues understand audiences and how they use content. Includes e-books available for members.
• Getting Started with Plain Language Entry-level educational program introducing fundamental concepts and practices of plain language communication. Designed for organizations and individuals new to plain language principles.
• Consultants Directory Referral list of plain language consultants who help organizations with plain language writing, information design, content strategy, training, content testing, and program development. Consultants can be listed for $100/year if they are Center members in good standing. Over 1,400 queries have resulted in projects through the Center's network.
• Membership Program Organizational membership providing access to member discounts for events and awards submissions, an e-book for members, and opportunities to support plain language advocacy. Membership categories include Advocate and Volunteer options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 documents and websites recognized as ClearMark Award finalists since 2010
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026The Center for Plain Language announced a partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) to present the 2026 ClearMark Awards during the IHA Health Literacy Conference, held online from May 12-14, 2026. This partnership brings the ClearMark Awards to IHA's global audience and integrates them with the premier health literacy conference.
• Partnership for Public ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center partnered with the Partnership for Public Service to analyze how six Federal agencies use plain language on their websites and to help them improve their communications. This collaboration supports the Center's mission to grade and improve government writing.
• International Plain Language Federation (IPLF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center is a founding member of the International Plain Language Federation, which developed the ISO 24495-1:2023 plain language standard. Annetta Cheek, Center founder, served as IPLF president. The Federation includes Clarity (UK), PLAIN, and other international plain language organizations.
• Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center maintains close ties with Plain Language Association International, an international counterpart that awarded Center founder Annetta Cheek the Christine Mowat Plain Language Achievement Award. Both organizations collaborate on advancing plain language globally.
• Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)coreOthersOriginally called PEN (Plain English Network) in the 1990s, PLAIN is a federal plain language group that meets monthly in Washington, DC. Some PLAIN members helped establish the Center to include non-government communicators in the plain language movement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA): U.S. nonprofit focused on health literacy, including an annual Health Literacy Conference and awards programs. Direct peer in mission, audience (healthcare and government communicators), and now formal partner of the Center for the 2026 ClearMark Awards.
• Plain Language Association International (PLAIN): International membership organization advancing plain language through conferences, training, and the Christine Mowat Award. Direct peer in mission and constituency, with close historical ties to the Center including shared leadership.
• Clarity: UK-based international plain language association, member of the International Plain Language Federation alongside the Center. Comparable mission of advancing clear communication across languages and jurisdictions, primarily serving UK and European audiences.
• Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN): U.S. federal government plain language community of practice that meets monthly in Washington, DC. Some of its members helped establish the Center; comparable mission focused on government writing, with overlapping constituents.
• International Plain Language Federation (IPLF): Federation of national plain language organizations that developed the ISO 24495-1:2023 standard. The Center is a founding member and Annetta Cheek served as president; peer in global standards-setting role.
• Plain English Campaign: UK-based plain language advocacy organization running its own Crystal Mark, Internet Crystal Mark, and Footprint Awards programs. Closest international analog to ClearMark Awards in structure and recognition function.

Emerging players

• Health Literacy Media: U.S. nonprofit focused on health literacy training, content, and consulting. Overlapping healthcare literacy mission and customer base, with a more delivery-focused model than the Center's recognition-and-advocacy model.
• Health Literacy Consulting: Consulting practice specializing in health literacy and plain language patient communications. Comparable services to the Center's consultant network members, focused on the healthcare vertical.

Broad incumbents

• American Institutes for Research (AIR): Large nonprofit behavioral and social science research organization that housed the Information Design Center (formerly Document Design Center), where Center Chair Susan Kleimann previously led work. Adjacent in plain language research but much broader in scope.
• CDC Office of Health Literacy: U.S. government program promoting health literacy across federal public health communications. Overlaps with the Center's healthcare and government segments and shares the plain language mission at a national scale, though not a private organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/plain_language
• Facebookfacebook.com/CenterForPlainLanguage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-plain-language
• Instagraminstagram.com/plain_language

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Plain Language