The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Established in 1993, NCPC serves as the state-level organization overseeing Smart Start, North Carolina's nationally-recognized early childhood initiative. The organization administers funding to a network of 75 local partnerships operating as independent nonprofit organizations across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.4M
-29.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$115.8M
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
83
+7.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.4M
-5.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Advance a high quality, comprehensive, accountable early childhood system that benefits each child in North Carolina beginning with a healthy birth.
Vision: Each child reaches their potential and is prepared for school and life success in North Carolina and a global community.
NCPC's primary program, Smart Start, focuses on:
- Improving children's early care and education programs to ensure they are safe, healthy, and provide learning opportunities
- Screening children for developmental delays
- Providing parents with tools and resources to support healthy child development
- Building a strong foundation for future learning and academic success
The organization emphasizes that high-quality early education yields measurable outcomes including higher graduation rates, reduced crime, higher earnings, less reliance on social services, and better employment opportunities.
Grantmaking
NCPC distributes substantial funding through its network of local partnerships. Based on recent financial data, the organization reported total giving of approximately $115.8 million, with grant amounts ranging from $17,782 to $9.2 million. The organization's grantmaking focuses on education, human services, and philanthropic capacity building, primarily serving North Carolina and Tennessee.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCPC operates statewide across North Carolina through its network of 75 local partnerships serving all 100 counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $13.4 million to $19.1 million
- Total Revenue: $121.7 million (2023)
- Total Expenses: $121.3 million (2023)
- Total Giving: $115.8 million
Staffing: The organization employs approximately 43-58 staff members.
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since March 1994 (EIN: 56-1850485)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,435,725 | $19,071,119 | $16,665,683 |
| Revenue | $123,946,896 | $121,733,617 | $112,773,901 |
| Expenses | $122,917,399 | $121,304,943 | $112,870,105 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,171 | $9,584 | $2,202 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mecklenburg Partnership for Children ($7,628,916), Durham's Partnership for Children ($5,648,019), Onslow County Partnership for Children Inc ($5,347,560).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALAMANCE PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN BURLINGTON, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $1,026,389 |
| ALBEMARLE ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INC ELIZABETH CITY, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $1,788,388 |
| ALEXANDER COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN TAYLORSVILLE, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $359,145 |
| ALLEGHANY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN INC SPARTA, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $145,048 |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN (AKA UNION SMART START) MONROE, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $1,527,166 |
| ANSON COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN WADESBORO, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $376,887 |
| ASHE COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN JEFFERSON, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $367,862 |
| BEAUFORTHYDE PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN WASHINGTON, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $570,051 |
| BLADEN SMART START A PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN INC ELIZABETHTOWN, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $477,234 |
| BLUE RIDGE PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN (AVERY MITCHELL-YANCEY ) BURNSVILLE, NC | NC YOUNG CHILDREN | $622,299 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Ms. Amy Cubbage
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR REBECCA AYERS | DIRECTOR THR: 12/23 | 2 | — |
| REV RENEE B BETHEA | DIRECTOR FR: 1/24 | 2 | — |
| MS VICTORIA BROWN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS MADISON S DOWNING | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS ARIEL FORD | DIRECTOR (EX OFFICIO) THR:6/24 | 2 | — |
| MS FRANCESCA GARY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS SHERRY HEUSER | DIRECTOR FR: 1/24 | 2 | — |
| MS MONIKA HOSTLER | DIRECTOR THR: 12/23 | 2 | — |
| DR ANTHONY D JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS BETTY CROW KENNEDY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS ROSA MARIA MATTHEWS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS ASHLEY NEAL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MR JOSEPH C PATTERSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS NELL ROSE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR REBECCA SIMPKIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS TINA SHERMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS CHANNAH VANREGENMORTER | DIRECTOR THR:6/24 | 2 | — |
| MS ELIZABETH HOPE STAR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR KHADIJIA TRIBIE REID | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MS LAURIE S URLAND | DIRECTOR FR: 1/24 | 2 | — |
| MR SANDY WEATHERSBEE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DR EREKA WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR FR: 6/24 | 2 | — |
| REV STANLEY A LEWIS | DIRECTOR THR: 12/23 | 2 | — |
| MR CHARLES BOWMAN | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MS CASSANDRA BROOKS | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MS PAGE IVES LEMEL | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| DR LAURIE STRADLEY | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MS AMY CUBBAGE | PRESIDENT | 40 | $150,025 |
| MS SAFIYAH JACKSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $127,190 |
| MS LISA C RASH | CFO/ASST TREAS/SEC THR:11/23 | 40 | $111,560 |
| MS JESSICA CARTER | ASST SECRETARY FR:11/23 | 40 | $84,079 |
| MS MELISSA CHESTON | ASST TREAS FR: 11/23-4/24 | 40 | $85,066 |
| MR JOSEPH BROWNLEE | CFO/ASST TREAS FR: 4/24 | 40 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1100 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604-1354
Phone: 919-821-7999
Website: www.smartstart.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does North Carolina Partnership for fund?
**Mission:** Advance a high quality, comprehensive, accountable early childhood system that benefits each child in North Carolina beginning with a healthy birth. **Vision:** Each child reaches their potential and is prepared for school and life success in North Carolina and a global community. NCPC's primary program, Smart Start, focuses on: • Improving children's early care and education programs to ensure they are safe, healthy, and provide learning opportunities • Screening children for deve…
How do I apply for a grant from North Carolina Partnership for?
NCPC distributes substantial funding through its network of local partnerships. Based on recent financial data, the organization reported total giving of approximately $115.8 million, with grant amounts ranging from $17,782 to $9.2 million. The organization's grantmaking focuses on education, human services, and philanthropic capacity building, primarily serving North Carolina and Tennessee.
Where does North Carolina Partnership for make grants?
NCPC operates statewide across North Carolina through its network of 75 local partnerships serving all 100 counties.
What size grants does North Carolina Partnership for award?
In 2024, North Carolina Partnership for awarded 83 grants totaling $115.8M — an average of about $1.4M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is North Carolina Partnership for's EIN?
North Carolina Partnership for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1850485. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in North Carolina Partnership for's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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