Request for Proposals

Smart Start Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028

The Guilford County Partnership for Children (GCPC) opens the Fiscal Year 2026 - 2028 Smart Start funding cycle with a mandatory, virtual Bidders' Conference on Thursday, November 6, from 10:00–11:30 a.m.

GCPC invites proposals that align with our strategic plan’s two big bets:

1. Solving the child care crisis

This funding cycle prioritizes the child care crisis through three pillars:

• Quality early childhood education
• Availability of slots in quality early childhood education
• Support provided to early childhood educators

2. Improving the early childhood system

• We continue to accept proposals that strengthen family support, literacy, and child and family health

To ensure alignment and impact, all services must be evidence-based and included in the Smart Solutions Catalog. Applicants must participate in the mandatory virtual Bidders’ Conference, in order to move forward. Zoom link for Bidders' Conference can be found below.

For additional questions, contact the Partnership at Information@GuilfordChildren.org.

Guilford County Partnership for Children (GCPC) is part of North Carolina’s nationally recognized, statewide Smart Start network allocating funding towards Evidence Based and Evidence Informed supports in four funding priorities: Early Care & Education, Family Support, Literacy, and Child & Family Health.