SmartStart_SponsorshipGuide_FNL_Revision_Dec20
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Invest in
2025 Sponsorship Guide
Brighter Futures
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SmartStartOfMeck.org
Ready to
thrive by Five
TOGETHER
IN EVERY
EARLY STEP
INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SMART
START IS A LASTING COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
We prioritize kindergarten readiness, knowing it
shapes lifelong academic success — fifth-grade
reading scores are directly correlated with early
education milestones. By providing essential
resources to all families, we help every child
thrive, fostering a caring community that values
their potential and sowing seeds for a brighter,
inclusive society.
THIS YEAR, WE WILL
INVEST OVER $35 MILLION
IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT
THE COMMUNITY.
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what we do
1
2
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is
recognized as a leader in the community
regarding all issues related to children
from birth to age five.
We administer five internal programs and
campaigns in addition to funding more
than 20 other programs in the community
that focus on early care and education,
family support, health, and literacy.
drive innovation
invest in the
community
COLLABORATE
3
In
4
Smart
order to effectively meet the
mission of the organization, Smart
Start must build the capacity to lead
people and processes through a
strong team of professionals. We do
this by investing in the community,
collaborating and convening with
other experts, and driving innovation
in the early childhood space.
Start of Mecklenburg County
will invest over $35 million in early
childhood programs throughout
the community this year.
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Our work in
The community
At Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, we’re committed to ensuring
every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed. By mobilizing
resources, forging partnerships, and supporting families, we’re paving
the way for a brighter future for our community’s youngest learners.
ALL CHILDREN SHOULD TURN FIVE READY TO THRIVE!
Building strong foundations
INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE
Experiences during a child’s first 2,000
days—from birth to kindergarten—
have lifelong impacts. Smart Start
of Mecklenburg County invests in
evidence-based initiatives for early
care, education, family support, health,
and literacy to holistically support
children from birth to age five.
COLLABORATE & CONVENE
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County is
a hub for research and collaboration to
improve lives of young children and their
families. We promote an aligned early
childhood system through information
sharing, discussion, and advocacy, and
partner with other childhood organizations
to champion our mission further.
DRIVE INNOVATION
Founded in 1993 by Governor Jim
Hunt, Smart Start of Mecklenburg
County funds and incubates
innovative ideas to prepare
children for school, serving on the
organization’s founding mission
of ensuring children go to
kindergarten ready to learn.
how you can help
IN ORDER TO MEET THE ONGOING NEEDS OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY,
Smart Start relies on the generosity of individuals,
businesses, and foundations to support our efforts.
Financial, tax-deductible contributions enable us to
expand our services and partnerships and reach
even more children throughout Mecklenburg County.
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SmartStartOfMeck.org
impact the
next generation
Smart Start integrates a variety of programs to build a
comprehensive early childhood development system. Our
programming is just the start. We support programs to boost
early literacy and equip caregivers with essential parenting skills.
By linking families to critical services and personalized support,
we create a unified network that prepares every child for
success in kindergarten and beyond.
Our shared vision
guides our dedication
and commitment
to continuous
improvement and
meaningful impact.
By The Numbers FY23
600+ CHILDREN
served by
Guiding Parents to
Services to receive
developmental support
370,303 BOOKS
mailed to families
enrolled in the
Dolly Parton
Imagination Library
178,000 TEXTS
sent by
ParentPowered to
provide early childhood
development support
to families
285 CAREGIVERS
who received
education on
The Basics
1,790 STUDENTS
enrolled in
MECK Pre-K
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our vision,
your impact
BY BECOMING AN ANNUAL SPONSOR, YOU UNLOCK A
YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT TO INVEST IN BRIGHTER FUTURES.
You’ll also enjoy continuous visibility, promotion at key events, and the opportunity
to align your brand with our mission. With various packages and custom
opportunities, our annual sponsorships provide lasting impact and recognition.
Sponsorship
Packages
COMMUNITY
CHAMPION
TRANSFORMATION
ADVOCATE
RELATIONSHIP
BUILDER
CONNECTION
CATALYST
BUILDING
BLOCK
SPONSOR
Opportunity to provide
handout or branded item
for swag bags given to
families and providers
across all events.
(Opportunity to reach up
to 1,500 individuals.)
Feature article, interview,
or spotlight in one 2024
Smart Start eNewsletter
Logo recognition on
Smart Start’s website
and at all 2024 Smart
Start hosted events
One 45-minute Lunch
& Learn providing an
overview of Smart Start
and key Early Childhood
initiatives
Acknowledgment in the
FY24 Impact Report,
spring eNewsletter(s)
and Smart Start social
media channels
Name listing on
Smart Start Website
INVESTMENT $7,500 $5,000 $2,500 $1,000
SmartStartOfMeck.org
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$250
- $999
What direct impact can
my sponsorship make?
$10,000
could provide a Basics
workshop and infant car
seat for 100 families
$2,500
could provide essential
health and safety
training for 15 Early
Childhood Educators
$6,000
could provide enough
books to stock 21 Little
Library locations for 1 year
$1,000
could provide a
1-year supply of
diapers for 4 families
$500
could provide
1 book per
month for
4 children
until their 5th
birthday
Presenting sponsor
$10,000
Our exclusive PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP
includes all Community Champion level benefits
in addition to the unique benefits listed below.
One exclusive team volunteer event for up to
10 individuals with Smart Start or one of our
supported partner programs
Option to provide up to three minutes of
remarks (live or recorded) during Smart
Start’s Partner Powered Conference
Logo recognition as a Smart Start supporter in
one Spectrum television ad campaign
Invitation to attend Smart Start hosted
stewardship and ciltivation events in 2025
Logo recognition on Smart Start’s
21 Little Library boxes spread across Mecklenburg
County
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2025 events
PARTNER POWERED
CONFERENCE 2025
March 14, 2024 • 8AM – 4PM
UNC Charlotte Marriott
Conference Center
A SMART START TO MECK PRE-K
Screening Dates TBD
Ascend Nonprofit Solutions Center
For more upcoming events and
opportunities to connect with us, please visit
SmartStartOfMeck.org/Events
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Contact us
MIKE BLACKWELDER
Chief Executive Officer
704.943.9492
mblackwelder@smartstartofmeck.org
TENILLE ALEXANDER-BANNER
Philanthropy & Outreach Director
704.943.9403
tbanner@smartstartofmeck.org
JO BOYD
Community Partnerships Coordinator
704.943.9477
jboyd@smartstartofmeck.org
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Make a Difference Today
SmartStartOfMeck.org