Fundraising Event
Virtual Annual Luncheon Sponsorship Opportunities
April 22, 2021
12 – 12:45 p.m. CT
Learn how you or your organization can support this year’s virtual Annual Luncheon event.
Why Sponsor?
The Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) Annual Luncheon provides an exclusive opportunity for a sponsor – whether corporate or individual – to demonstrate its commitment to youth and families to hundreds of noteworthy individuals. As an event sponsor you will also:
- Demonstrate commitment to providing early learning opportunities to young children, primarily those born into under-resourced communities, and their families
- Access to an A-list group of registrants, such as business, civic and philanthropic leaders, donors, partners, Start Early’s Board of Directors and other sponsors with pre-event and post-event marketing and communications and in programming materials during the event
Corporate & Individual
Sponsorship Opportunities & Benefits
What does sponsorship mean for you? See below for a variety of sponsorship opportunities and the benefits that are associated with each.
Presenting Sponsor
$100,000
- Presenting designation and sponsor name and logo (if applicable) below event title when used in all marketing materials
- Private screening of Tomorrow’s Hope documentary, the inspiring story of three former Educare Chicago students
- News release distributed on behalf of Start Early and Presenting Sponsor(s)
For Annual Luncheon sponsorship questions, email StartEarlyEvents@StartEarly.org.
Additional Sponsorship Benefits:
- Recognized in verbal remarks during event
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) displayed in virtual “waiting room” pre-event
- Recognition in event “Thank You” email (distribution of approximately 24,000 individuals)
- Dedicated social media posts pre-event – Facebook, LinkedIn (distribution to approximately 13,000 followers)
- Post-event employee engagement volunteer opportunity (for corporate sponsors)
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included on 2022 Annual Luncheon sponsorship web page
- Sponsor name included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Recognition in digital program book
- Assisted registration for all guests
- Inclusion in Start Early Year in Review and Donor Wall at main office
Champion Sponsor
$50,000
- Recognized in verbal remarks during event
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) displayed in virtual “waiting room” pre-event
- Recognition in event “Thank You” email (distribution of approximately 24,000 individuals)
For Annual Luncheon sponsorship questions, email StartEarlyEvents@StartEarly.org.
Additional Sponsorship Benefits:
- Dedicated social media posts pre-event – Facebook, LinkedIn (distribution to approximately 13,000 followers)
- Post-event employee engagement volunteer opportunity (for corporate sponsors)
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included on 2022 Annual Luncheon sponsorship web page
- Sponsor name included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Recognition in digital program book
- Assisted registration for all guests
- Inclusion in Start Early Year in Review and Donor Wall at main office
Premier Sponsor
$25,000
- Dedicated social media posts pre-event – Facebook, LinkedIn (distribution to approximately 13,000 followers)
- Post-event employee engagement volunteer opportunity (for corporate sponsors)
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
For Annual Luncheon sponsorship questions, email StartEarlyEvents@StartEarly.org.
Additional Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name and logo (if applicable) included on 2022 Annual Luncheon sponsorship web page
- Sponsor name included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Recognition in digital program book
- Assisted registration for all guests
- Inclusion in Start Early Year in Review and Donor Wall at main office
Partner Sponsor
$10,000
- Private discussion with an early childhood expert from Start Early for you and your guests or employees
- Sponsor name included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Recognition in digital program book
For Annual Luncheon sponsorship questions, email StartEarlyEvents@StartEarly.org.
Additional Sponsorship Benefits:
- Assisted registration for all guests
- Inclusion in Start Early Year in Review and Donor Wall at main office
Community Sponsor
$5,000
- Sponsor name included in invitation, pre-event emails and on event web page
- Recognition in digital program book
- Assisted registration for all guests
- Inclusion in Start Early Year in Review and Donor Wall at main office
For Annual Luncheon sponsorship questions, email StartEarlyEvents@StartEarly.org.
2020 Annual Luncheon
Each year, this event is made possible by our generous sponsors and partners. Take a look back and learn more about our first ever virtual luncheon.
About the Annual Luncheon
Since Start Early’s Annual Luncheon’s inception in 2002, more than $12 million has been raised through sponsorships, attendance and generous contributions. Just this past year, although virtual, we raised more than $1 million!
Start Early has welcomed many notable civic and philanthropic leaders as keynote speakers, including: Anna Deavere Smith, Activist, Playwright and Actor (2019); Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Founder & CEO of Center for Youth Wellness (2018); Jackie Bezos, President of Bezos Family Foundation (2015); Wes Moore, Education Advocate & Best Selling Author (2012); The Honorable Arne Duncan (2011); Bill Gates, Sr., Co-Chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2007); Barack Obama, then-Illinois Senator (2006).
