Smart Start Allocation Center

Smart Start Activities for FY2027-2028 to 2029-2030

The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County is accepting proposals for the Smart Start Funding cycle of July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2020. Potential funded activities must provide early childhood services that address the needs of children ages birth to five, their families, and caregivers. This is a three-year funding cycle with the first-year contract beginning July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2030. The contract will be renewed ONLY after a satisfactory evaluation of performance and availability of funds is confirmed.

Our Background

We are a local, private/public nonprofit. We administer state funds through the North Carolina’s Smart Start program and the NC Pre-Kindergarten Program, as well as private funds and grants. Our vision is to live in an economically prosperous community where families are successful and children thrive. Since 1993, we have invested in support for families with children birth to 5-years-old.

Investment Areas

In keeping with our organizational priorities, we invest in three key areas:

Grant Information

Guiding Factors for Decision Making on Grants

For more information on factors guiding decision making on grants for the allocation cycle, please review the websites and documents recommended below:

• About Us 
• Strategic Plan 2026-2029 

Smart Start Resources:
• Why Smart Start Works 
• Building a Strong Economy
• Our Littlest Learners 

• Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University – Key Concepts in Early Childhood
This website has many available resources to help with understanding the current knowledge base of young children.

Data Resources:
• NC Child Data Card- Cumberland County 2026
• Smart Start Community Indicators Dashboard
• 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book-Interactive

Who Can Apply

To be eligible, organizations must meet the following criteria:

1. Organizations must be classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under Section 509(a).
2. Schools, municipalities, and government programs are eligible.
3. Individuals, child care facilities, and for-profit organizations are not generally funded, except in some instances where there is no suitable tax-exempt organization to carry out a program or project.
4. Organizations that do not meet the above criteria (1, 2, or 3) may not use conduit organizations to apply for funding.
5. Serve the Cumberland County area.
6. Serve children birth to five* and their families and/or service providers of children birth to five*.
7. The proposed program must be in one of our three key priority Investment Areas with measurable outcomes.
8. Organizations should have at least a three-year history of programming.
9. All requests for assistance must include a copy of the applicant’s most recent audit report for an amount of over $500,000. For amounts under $500,000, applicants will be required to submit a Certification and Sworn Statement if funding is approved.
10. If a contract is awarded for Smart Start funds, organizations other than governmental agencies are required to provide fidelity bonding at their own expense. Non-governmental agencies are encouraged to understand and estimate the related costs of fidelity bonding in advance.

*Children who are 5-years-old, must not yet be enrolled in a Kindergarten program.

Evidence-Based/Evidence-Informed Practices (EB/EI)

The State of North Carolina allocates Smart Start funds under Section 10.5(k) of the NC General Statutes. The availability of funds is determined annually and contingent upon the final budget adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly and approval from the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC). Programs funded through Smart Start must meet Evidence-Based, Evidenced-Informed expectations of approved programs, or provide evidence that meets specific standards. Smart Start produced a catalog of available programs that meet EB/EBI expectations through a rigorous process of review and approval. Approved programs are available at the NC Smart Start Smart Solutions Catalog

We will accept and review proposals that address an identified community need as it relates to families and children ages birth to five*  in at least one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Family Support, Health, and Subsidy Programs. Please note that other activities may be given due consideration based on the strength of how well the program substantiates and documents an EB/EI connection. Only agencies that attend the RFP Bidder's Meeting are eligible to apply.

*Children who are 5-years-old, must not yet be enrolled in a Kindergarten program.

RFP Allocation Timeline

September 15, 2026: Grant Application Form Available by close of business on the RFP Allocation Center
September 16 to November 13, 2026: Technical support from PFC Staff to grantees available
November 17 2026: Applications due by close of business
November 18 to January 5, 2027: Review and prepare application for External Reviewers
January to Mary 2027: Partnership Review Process- Hybrid & In-Person
January 12, 2027: Smart Start Allocation: Reviewer Orientation
February 2, 2027: Smart Start Allocation: Grantee Presentations
March 2, 2027: Smart Start Allocation: Funding Recommendations
March 18, 2027: Executive Committee update on process and recommendations
April 29, 2027: Partnership Board will review plan recommendations for activities/funding for approval
April-May 2027: Annual Submission of Activities (ASA) due to the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC)
End of May 2027: Partnership for Children of Cumberland County will give initial notification to applicants regarding proposal approval and initial approved budget.

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For more information or questions about the Smart Start RFP Allocation process, please contact Pamela Federline at [email protected]
.