Wake County Smart Start Inc
Wake County Smart Start Inc. is a public charity based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 1994, it invests in young children, their families, and an early childhood system intended to prepare children for school and life.
Wake County Smart Start Inc at a glance
In short: Wake County Smart Start Inc gave $21.8M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $506K), mostly in North Carolina. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $21,763,190
- +11.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- +13.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $506,121
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $285,090
- Total assets
- $4,446,723
- +11.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (8 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wake County Smart Start Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2024–2027 cycle is closed for proposals. The next three-year cycle runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030, with applications expected in late fall 2026. The process includes information sessions, an online application portal, and proposal submission.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals are due in early December.
- Deadline
- Proposals are due in early December.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4901 Waters Edge Drive 101, Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: (919) 851-9550
Website: https://wakesmartstart.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wake County Smart Start Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Childcare Network Inc ($3.1M). Together the top 10 received $13.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
227 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 57 grants of 227 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wake County Smart Start’s funding eligibility and stated service focus are centered on Wake County, North Carolina. In 2025, 82% of its grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina; the remainder went to recipients in Georgia (14%), Oregon (2%), and Michigan and an unspecified state (1% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Wake County Smart Start Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 43 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $97K; repeat grants $600K. How we count
Medians: $63K first-time, $444K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15.5M (2022) to $21.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $21.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Network Inc Columbus, GA | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $3,082,694 |
| Wake County Public Schools Raleigh, NC | NC Prek/Financial Assistance Contract | $2,684,556 |
| Creative Schools Inc Raleigh, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $1,305,624 |
| Bright Beginnings of Cary Inc Cary, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool, Quality Enhancement | $1,223,570 |
| Primary Beginnings Child Development Raleigh, NC | NC PREK | $1,068,172 |
| The Happy Face Preschool Raleigh, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $882,790 |
| Academically Based Child Raleigh, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $797,586 |
| Kids First Academy Inc Raleigh, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $759,528 |
| ABC Land Inc II Wendell, NC | NC PREK | $728,374 |
| Telamon Corporation Raleigh, NC | NC Prek, Wake Threeschool | $680,820 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,446,723 | $27,914,896 | $27,249,271 | $21,763,190 | 43 | $183,388 |
| 2024 | $3,982,549 | $25,102,327 | $25,028,627 | $19,563,939 | 38 | $195,894 |
| 2023 | $4,304,569 | $22,907,110 | $22,422,941 | $17,616,660 | 44 | $78,125 |
| 2022 | $3,415,796 | $19,658,248 | $19,257,264 | $15,483,991 | 45 | $3,767 |
| 2021 | $2,918,473 | $20,107,224 | $19,616,807 | $16,469,924 | 57 | $3,575 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Wake County Smart Start’s mission is to invest in young children, their families, and a connected early childhood system that supports and prepares them for school and life ahead. Its work includes improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of early care and education; supporting early literacy and healthy habits; and funding family support, preventive health, mental health, and early intervention services.
Its programs include NC Pre-K for eligible four-year-olds, Wake ThreeSchool for three-year-olds, family support and health and safety activities, and child care education and quality initiatives. For 2024–2025, the organization reported 1,705 children participating in NC Pre-K, 333 in Wake ThreeSchool, approximately 890 children directly benefiting from at least one family support or health and safety activity, and approximately 31 child care facilities served through child care education and quality programs.
The funder supports local organizations that deliver services to children, families, and child care facilities. Examples include Telamon Corporation, whose stated mission is to empower families to overcome barriers to success; Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, which says it helps children live emotionally healthy lives through evaluation, treatment, family involvement, and education; and Book Harvest, which says it provides books to children and engages families and communities to promote literacy and academic success.
Grantmaking
The largest awards included $3,082,694 to Childcare Network Inc. for NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool; $2,684,556 to Wake County Public Schools for NC Pre-K/financial assistance contracts; and $1,303,892 to Creative Schools Inc. for NC Pre-K and Wake ThreeSchool. Other substantial awards included $1,222,922 to Bright Beginnings of Cary Inc. and $1,066,440 to Primary Beginnings Child Development.
The organization operates a three-year funding cycle. Eligible proposals must provide direct services to children, families, child care facilities, or community organizations in Wake County and align with North Carolina Partnership for Children Smart Solutions, Wake County Smart Start strategic priorities, and established community need. Funded partners must use an approved evidence-based or evidence-informed model listed in North Carolina’s Smart Solutions. Applications are submitted through an online portal and are aligned with the organization’s Strategic Framework.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gayle Headen as executive director and Gary Carr as director of finance. Listed board officers are Katherine Williams, chair; Nikia Coates, vice chair; Matthew Ellinwood, secretary; and Matthew Glova, treasurer. The filing also lists Andre Anthony, Veronica Creech, Heather Drennan (director through February 2025), and Susan Evans as directors.
Wake County Smart Start Inc is led by Gayle Headen, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 3 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gayle Headen
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$125K (2021) → $156K (2025)
Katherine Williams
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Carr
Director of Finance
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$117K (2021) → $151K (2025)
Sherry Heuser
Director
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$8K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Carol C. Orji
Director of Eci
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Antonia Pedroza
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Drennan
Director Thr Feb
Director → Director Thr Feb, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe White
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Evans
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronica Creech
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Stallings
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Venable
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mickey Holt
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronetta Pearsall
Director
Director Fr July → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Wilson-Norman
Director Thr Feb
Director Fr July → Director Thr Feb, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre Anthony
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ariel Ford
Director Fr Oct
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Leonard
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Shell
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Glova
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikia Coates
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Ellinwood
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Catherine Lassiter (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Christine Alvarado (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Leslie Ann Jackson (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Tonya Kangkolo (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Amelia Muse (2024) — Director Fr July
- Former: Colleen Roache (2024) — Director
- Former: Angie Welsh (2021–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Barbara Morales Burke (2021–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Catty Moore (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Turpin (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Hamner (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Shaw (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Maria Cervania (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Michael Wasilick (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Sharon Loza (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Dale Cousins (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Katie King (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: L'teisha Curtis (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Anna Troutman (2021) — Director of Programs Thr:
- Former: Jessica Holmes (2021) — Director
- Former: Kristi Talley (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $156K, to Gayle Headen (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wake County Smart Start Inc
How much does Wake County Smart Start Inc give each year?
Wake County Smart Start Inc gave $21.8M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $19.6M across 38 grants.
What is Wake County Smart Start Inc's typical grant size?
Wake County Smart Start Inc's median grant in 2025 was $285,090, and its average grant was $506,121, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wake County Smart Start Inc that year got $97K on average.
Where does Wake County Smart Start Inc give grants?
Wake County Smart Start Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (26 grants), Cary, NC (5 grants) and Apex, NC (3 grants).
Does Wake County Smart Start Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Wake County Smart Start Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "NC Prek, Wake Threeschool" (12 grants), "Financial Assistance Contract" (10 grants) and "NC Prek" (5 grants).
Who are Wake County Smart Start Inc's largest grantees?
Wake County Smart Start Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Childcare Network Inc ($3,082,694), Wake County Public Schools ($2,684,556) and Creative Schools Inc ($1,305,624), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wake County Smart Start Inc?
Wake County Smart Start Inc reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.9M.
What does Wake County Smart Start Inc fund?
Wake County Smart Start’s mission is to invest in young children, their families, and a connected early childhood system that supports and prepares them for school and life ahead. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wake County Smart Start Inc?
The 2024–2027 cycle is closed for proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Wake County Smart Start Inc's EIN?
Wake County Smart Start Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1949415. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wake County Smart Start Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wake County Smart Start Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wake-county-smart-start-inc-morg_bd59f7ba176d439b92b59fe33415dcb6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561949415_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wake County Smart Start Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wake-county-smart-start-inc-morg_bd59f7ba176d439b92b59fe33415dcb6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Wake County Smart Start Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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