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    5. Wake County Smart Start
    Logo de Wake County Smart Start

    Wake County Smart Start

    ActivoEducation
    RALEIGH, NCSitio web9198519550

    About Wake County Smart Start

    To improve young children’s lives in Wake County by supporting early learning, family support, quality child care and community partnerships that prepare children for school and life.

    Focus Areas

    Early childhood educationPre-K programsEarly learning for 3- and 4-year-oldsFamily support and referralsQuality child care improvementEarly literacyProfessional development for early childhood professionals

    Who They Fund

    preschool-aged children (NC Pre-K enrollees)families in Wake County requiring tuition assistanceearly childhood education providers/programs (receiving quality enhancement funds)

    Funding Style

    About Wake County Smart Start

    Wake County Smart Start Inc funds early childhood services in Wake County through a mix of NC Pre-K classroom support, financial assistance contracts, and quality-improvement work with local providers. Recent grant records show repeated seven-figure awards to Childcare Network Inc in Columbus, Georgia for NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool, alongside large contracts with Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh for NC Pre-K and financial assistance. The pattern points to a funder that uses both direct program funding and contracted service delivery to support young children and families. Their grantmaking reaches child care centers, public schools, and partner organizations that host or deliver early learning services. Among the named recipients, Creative Schools Inc in Raleigh has received funding for NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool, while Bright Beginnings of Cary Inc has been funded for NC Pre-K, Wake ThreeSchool, and quality enhancement. The foundation also supports parent-facing services and family support efforts through its active programs, linking classroom access with home-based and community-based supports. Wake County Smart Start Inc’s focus is narrowly defined around early childhood education, early learning, and family support, with an emphasis on school readiness and provider capacity in Wake County.

    What Wake County Smart Start Funds

    A central theme in the grant record is NC Pre-K, where Wake County Smart Start Inc has funded both classroom delivery and related financial assistance contracts. Primary Beginnings Child Development in Raleigh appears as a recurring recipient for NC Pre-K support, showing that the foundation works with established local providers to place and sustain pre-K services. They also invest in the Wake ThreeSchool model. The Happy Face Preschool in Raleigh, Academically Based Child in Raleigh, and Kids First Academy Inc in Raleigh each received support tied to NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool, indicating a multi-site approach to early education delivery. Quality improvement is another visible area. Bright Beginnings of Cary Inc received grants that combine NC Pre-K, Wake ThreeSchool, and quality enhancement, which aligns with the foundation’s child care facility improvement support work. Family support shows up as well through Wake County Human Services, funded under financial assistance contracts.

    How Wake County Smart Start Gives

    Typical grants are substantial rather than small: the 25th percentile is $98,628, the median is $273,112, and the 75th percentile is $566,482. The recent record also shows multiple awards to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, including repeated funding for several NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool partners, which suggests ongoing contract-style relationships rather than one-time gifts. Wake County Smart Start Inc is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not make program-related investments. Its active funding opportunities include public RFP processes and funded partner pathways, with some opportunities accepting unsolicited proposals. The grant record is highly concentrated in North Carolina, matching the organization’s local giving scope.

    Oportunidades de Subvenciones Abiertas

    Financiamiento actual y próximo de Wake County Smart Start al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.

    Abierta ahora

    Wake Pre-K

    Early childhood educationPre-K classroom fundingQuality improvement for early learning

    ¿Quién puede postularse? Local early childhood providers (child care centers, schools, and partner organizations) that can operate NC Pre-K classrooms and meet Wake County Smart Start program requirements.

    Ver y postularse
    Abierta ahoraRecepción continua / abierta

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $58.9M

    Total Assets

    $4.4M

    Total Revenue

    $27.9M

    Total Expenses

    $27.2M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $99K and $566K, with a median of $273K.

    25th Percentile

    $99K

    Median

    $273K

    75th Percentile

    $566K

    Geographic Reach

    Local3 states funded

    About 95% of grants go to recipients in NC.

    Intensidad de financiamiento
    Baja
    Alta
    Sede

    Leadership

    GAYLE E HEADEN

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

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    Política de privacidadTérminos de servicioEstado del sistema
    EIN: 56-1949415
    3 declaraciones registradas
    contract-funded program support
    restricted / earmarked grants
    quality enhancement / capacity building
    direct financial assistance to participants
    donation-based program support

    Topics

    NC Pre-K early childhood educationWake County ThreeSchool (local preschool program)early childhood program quality improvementpreschool tuition/financial assistance/subsidiesprogram-specific grant streams (e.g., Kaleidoscope, BCNCF)

    Where Wake County Smart Start Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in North Carolina. Raleigh is the most common city in the recent grant list, with additional awards to Cary, Wendell, and other Wake County locations. The largest non-North Carolina recipient in the recent grants is Childcare Network Inc in Columbus, Georgia, reflecting a small share of out-of-state activity within an otherwise in-state portfolio. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Wake County Smart Start

    What kinds of programs does Wake County Smart Start Inc fund?

    Its active programs and recent grants focus on early childhood education, NC Pre-K, Wake ThreeSchool, family support, child care quality improvement, early literacy, and early parent support. The record also includes financial assistance contracts and quality enhancement support for child care sites in Wake County.

    How does Wake County Smart Start Inc typically give?

    The foundation uses contracted funding, RFPs, and funded partner arrangements. Typical grant sizes are $98,628 at the 25th percentile, $273,112 at the median, and $566,482 at the 75th percentile. The same recipients often appear in multiple years, especially for NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool support.

    Where are most of the grants awarded?

    Most grants go to North Carolina recipients, and 95% of grants are directed to organizations in the foundation’s HQ state. Raleigh appears most often in the recent grant list, with other Wake County cities such as Cary and Wendell also represented.

    Can organizations apply for funding?

    Yes. The foundation lists Request for Proposals and funding allocation processes for community partners, and some active opportunities accept unsolicited proposals. Its funded partner pathways cover programs that deliver early childhood education, parent support, and child care quality services in Wake County.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Quality Enhancement (Child Care Facility Improvement Support)

    child care quality improvementstaff developmentclassroom environment+3 más

    ¿Quién puede postularse? Open to child care sites with 1-4 stars and/or sites that have not gone through the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS). Priority is given to facilities with the greatest percentage of children enrolled receiving child care subsidy.

    Fecha límite: Project applications follow WCSS annual funding cycle; specific deadlines published in application materials.

    Ver y postularse
    Abierta ahoraRecepción continua / abierta

    Healthy Initiatives / Preventing Obesity By Design (POD)

    health and wellnessnutritionphysical activity+4 más

    ¿Quién puede postularse? Open to ECE sites serving young children, staff, and families. Priority is given to facilities with the greatest percentage of children enrolled receiving child care subsidy.

    Fecha límite: Project applications follow WCSS annual funding cycle; specific deadlines published in application materials.

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    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    CHILDCARE NETWORK INCCOLUMBUS, GA$3,082,6942025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSRALEIGH, NC$2,684,5562025NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    CREATIVE SCHOOLS INCRALEIGH, NC$1,305,6242025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INCCARY, NC$1,223,5702025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    PRIMARY BEGINNINGS CHILD DEVELOPMENTRALEIGH, NC$1,068,1722025NC PREK
    THE HAPPY FACE PRESCHOOLRALEIGH, NC$882,7902025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    ACADEMICALLY BASED CHILDRALEIGH, NC$797,5862025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    KIDS FIRST ACADEMY INCRALEIGH, NC$759,5282025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    ABC LAND INC IIWENDELL, NC$728,3742025NC PREK
    TELAMON CORPORATIONRALEIGH, NC$680,8202025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    WAKE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICESRALEIGH, NC$665,5102025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    WANDA'S LITTLE HANDS EDUCATIONAL CENTERRALEIGH, NC$663,7262025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    LUCY DANIELS CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOODCARY, NC$630,6992025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    A SAFE PLACE CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER INCRALEIGH, NC$604,7162025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    EARLY PRESCHOOL & LEARNING CENTER LLCRALEIGH, NC$559,6402025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    LITTLE HANDS 'N' FEET CHILD CARE CENTER INCRALEIGH, NC$525,5092025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    METHOD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERRALEIGH, NC$446,1002025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERPORTLAND, OR$444,3852025NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER - SOUTH ATLANTICRALEIGH, NC$400,5532025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    BAMBINO'S PLAYSCHOOLCARY, NC$364,7372025WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    CREATIVE LEARNING ENTERPRISEAPEX, NC$336,1442025NC PREK
    TRIANGLE ACADEMY PRESCHOOLCARY, NC$285,0902025WAKE THREESCHOOL
    LITTLE BELIEVERS ACADEMY IIGARNER, NC$269,6282025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    PRESTON CHILDREN'S ACADEMYCARY, NC$242,2802025NC PREK
    SHAW UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONRALEIGH, NC$238,1732025NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    FRANKIE LEMMON SCHOOL & DEVELOPMENT CENTERRALEIGH, NC$213,2302025NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    LITTLE DESTINY LITERACY & DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERRALEIGH, NC$205,8002025NC PREK
    DANIEL CENTER FOR MATH AND SCIENCE INCRALEIGH, NC$178,5002025WAKE THREESCHOOL
    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF RALEIGH INCRALEIGH, NC$174,4392025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    LA PETITE ACADEMY INCNOVI, MI$167,6832025NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    VARIOUS CHILD CARE CENTERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS—$167,3172025VARIOUS PROGRAMS
    EARLY YEARS INCCHAPEL HILL, NC$156,8632025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    SAFECHILD INCRALEIGH, NC$119,3602025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    TRIANGLE AREA PARENTING SUPPORTAPEX, NC$111,2912025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    BOOK HARVESTDURHAM, NC$110,2962025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    FIESTA CRISTIANAAPEX, NC$106,5292025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    STEP UP MINISTRYRALEIGH, NC$98,9002025FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    LITTLE ANGELS PREPARATORYFUQUAYVARINA, NC$20,1402025QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    CREATIVE KIDZ ACADEMYRALEIGH, NC$13,2762025QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    TOUCHED BY AN ANGELRALEIGH, NC$9,8242025QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    DHICRALEIGH, NC$8,9202025KALEIDOSCOPE PROJECT
    RISING STARS JRVERSITYRALEIGH, NC$5,2182025QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    SMART START ADVOCATESRALEIGH, NC$5,0002025DONATION FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CHILDCARE NETWORK INCCOLUMBUS, GA$3,000,7402024NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    CHILDCARE NETWORK INCCOLUMBUS, GA$2,892,9372024NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL
    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSRALEIGH, NC$2,831,1152024NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSRALEIGH, NC$2,269,3912024NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INCCARY, NC$1,231,7712024NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INCCARY, NC$1,102,2292024NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
    CREATIVE SCHOOLS INCRALEIGH, NC$1,051,1802024NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    CHILDCARE NETWORK INC

    $3,082,694
    COLUMBUS, GA2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    $2,684,556
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    CREATIVE SCHOOLS INC

    $1,305,624
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INC

    $1,223,570
    CARY, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    PRIMARY BEGINNINGS CHILD DEVELOPMENT

    $1,068,172
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK

    THE HAPPY FACE PRESCHOOL

    $882,790
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    ACADEMICALLY BASED CHILD

    $797,586
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    KIDS FIRST ACADEMY INC

    $759,528
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    ABC LAND INC II

    $728,374
    WENDELL, NC2025

    NC PREK

    TELAMON CORPORATION

    $680,820
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    WAKE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES

    $665,510
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    WANDA'S LITTLE HANDS EDUCATIONAL CENTER

    $663,726
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    LUCY DANIELS CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

    $630,699
    CARY, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    A SAFE PLACE CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER INC

    $604,716
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    EARLY PRESCHOOL & LEARNING CENTER LLC

    $559,640
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    LITTLE HANDS 'N' FEET CHILD CARE CENTER INC

    $525,509
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    METHOD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $446,100
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER

    $444,385
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER - SOUTH ATLANTIC

    $400,553
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    BAMBINO'S PLAYSCHOOL

    $364,737
    CARY, NC2025

    WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    CREATIVE LEARNING ENTERPRISE

    $336,144
    APEX, NC2025

    NC PREK

    TRIANGLE ACADEMY PRESCHOOL

    $285,090
    CARY, NC2025

    WAKE THREESCHOOL

    LITTLE BELIEVERS ACADEMY II

    $269,628
    GARNER, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    PRESTON CHILDREN'S ACADEMY

    $242,280
    CARY, NC2025

    NC PREK

    SHAW UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

    $238,173
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    FRANKIE LEMMON SCHOOL & DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $213,230
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    LITTLE DESTINY LITERACY & DISCOVERY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $205,800
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    NC PREK

    DANIEL CENTER FOR MATH AND SCIENCE INC

    $178,500
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    WAKE THREESCHOOL

    CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF RALEIGH INC

    $174,439
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    LA PETITE ACADEMY INC

    $167,683
    NOVI, MI2025

    NC PREK, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    VARIOUS CHILD CARE CENTERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

    $167,317
    2025

    VARIOUS PROGRAMS

    EARLY YEARS INC

    $156,863
    CHAPEL HILL, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    SAFECHILD INC

    $119,360
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    TRIANGLE AREA PARENTING SUPPORT

    $111,291
    APEX, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    BOOK HARVEST

    $110,296
    DURHAM, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    FIESTA CRISTIANA

    $106,529
    APEX, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    STEP UP MINISTRY

    $98,900
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    LITTLE ANGELS PREPARATORY

    $20,140
    FUQUAYVARINA, NC2025

    QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    CREATIVE KIDZ ACADEMY

    $13,276
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

    $9,824
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    DHIC

    $8,920
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    KALEIDOSCOPE PROJECT

    RISING STARS JRVERSITY

    $5,218
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    SMART START ADVOCATES

    $5,000
    RALEIGH, NC2025

    DONATION FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CHILDCARE NETWORK INC

    $3,000,740
    COLUMBUS, GA2024

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    CHILDCARE NETWORK INC

    $2,892,937
    COLUMBUS, GA2024

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL

    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    $2,831,115
    RALEIGH, NC2024

    NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    $2,269,391
    RALEIGH, NC2024

    NC PREK/FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT

    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INC

    $1,231,771
    CARY, NC2024

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OF CARY INC

    $1,102,229
    CARY, NC2024

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL, QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

    CREATIVE SCHOOLS INC

    $1,051,180
    RALEIGH, NC2024

    NC PREK, WAKE THREESCHOOL