fbpx Become a Funded Partner - Wake County Smart Start
announcement icon
Attention!

Our office will be closed to the public on November 18th from 8 am to 10 am for an event.

Contact
Family Support Connection Tool
Apply
Wake Pre-K Early learning for 4-year-olds Wake ThreeSchool Early learning for 3-year-olds Wake Connections Parent support programs
Need Help?

How Can We Help?

Select a Topic:

Or Search, Below:

Become a Funded Partner

 

 

Welcome! If you are here, you are likely passionate about delivering programs to Wake County children, families, and child care facilities. We share your passion and hope to have the opportunity to work with you. 

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Programs and/or proposed models that provide direct services to children, families, child care facilities or community organizations in Wake County. Additionally, programs should align with North Carolina Partnership’s for Children Smart Solutions, WCSS strategic priorities and established community need. To see a list of our current partners, visit our Current Funded Partner page.

Our Application Process:

WCSS operates on a three-year funding cycle. In the first year, new and returning programs may apply. In Y2 and Y3, an application is required for current partners to secure continued funding. Our current cycle, now closed for proposals, will run from 2024 to 2027.

 

 

Below is a sample of our first year funding timeline

RFP for Funded Partners released on WCSS website

By early October

 

 

2 Information Sessions (one virtual, one in-person)

October

 

 

Application Portal Opens

October

 

 

Proposals Due

Early December

 

 

Allocations Committee Meets and Board Reviews Recommendations

January-February

 

 

Funding Award Notices Released

Early March

 

 

Funding Overview
$13M

is roughly the WCSS annual allocations budget

70%

of the funds are apportioned to supporting child care quality

30%

of the funds are allocated to programs that support children and their families

Common Questions about the Funding Process:

When is the next opportunity to submit a funding application?
The next 3-year funding cycle will be from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030. The opportunity to apply for this next three-year funding cycle will be in late fall of 2026. 
Does my program have to be an evidence-based model to receive funding?
Our current partners are funded through state funds provided by the General Assembly and managed by North Carolina Partnership for Children. In accordance to their guidance, all funded partners must follow an approved evidence-based or evidence-informed model found in North Carolina's Smart Solutions. If you would like to add an evidence-based or evidence-informed model to Smart Solutions, please click here for more information. 
What does the funding proposal look like and how is it completed?
We work to streamline our funding application process as much as possible. Our application is heavily aligned with our Strategic Framework and is submitted through an online portal.

Have Questions?

For more information about our allocations process, contact us here

bmcclamroch@wakesmartstart.org