Shine Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship is more than a check—it’s an investment in our shared future.
Will you join us?
Sponsoring Our Work
Our signature program, Great by Eight, blends in-person and virtual home visits, allowing us to reach more families in Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs. With sustainable funding and strategic partnerships, we can continue scaling our work, innovating our model, and reaching more families across Minnesota. We invite you to join us in building that future.
By investing in Way to Grow, you are investing in a proven, high-impact home visiting model that improves school readiness, strengthens families, and closes education and opportunity gaps across the Twin Cities.
Health Education
of newborns born at or above healthy birth weight*
Early Childhood
of Way to Grow children prepared for kindergarten**
Elementary Education
of K–3 students demonstrated growth in reading level assessments**
Reading at Home
of parents read to their children 3x or more per week**
Parent Engagement
of families attended parent-teacher conferences**
*Enrolled prior to 28 weeks
**2023–24 school year metric
The Situation
Despite decades of investment, persistent gaps in early childhood education and family well-being remain—particularly when measuring for race and income. Research confirms that the first eight years of life are critical to a child’s development, with long-term consequences for health, education, and lifetime economic opportunity.
Way to Grow was established to address these gaps by reaching families where they are, both literally and figuratively. Our model is rooted in trusted relationships, customized and culturally relevant home visits, and tailored support for the whole family. All this is designed to foster healthy developmental and academic outcomes for families from prenatal stages through third grade.
Way to Grow's Story
Way to Grow is a nonprofit working to close early learning and health disparities for children and families living in under-resourced areas. Since 1989, we have delivered high-impact, multi-generational support through intensive home visiting and holistic programming. Our mission is simple yet powerful: ensure children are born healthy, stay healthy, and are ready to succeed in school and life.
Through culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions, Way to Grow equips families with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to break the cycle of poverty. This year, we project serving over 800 families (2,400 parents and children). Every day, our critical work increases family stability and well-being, school readiness, grade-level reading, and parent engagement throughout the first eight years of life.
Sponsorship Levels
Shine Sponsor – $25,000
- Featured on website and social media
- Multi-media recognition throughout event
- Verbal recognition during event
- Logo placement on event invitations
- Recognition in event advertising
- Recognition in e-newsletter
- Logo placement and link on event website
- Reserved priority seating
Legacy Sponsor – $15,000
- Multi-media recognition throughout event
- Verbal recognition during event
- Logo placement on event invitations
- Recognition in event advertising
- Recognition in e-newsletter
- Logo placement and link on event website
- Reserved priority seating
Platinum Sponsor – $10,000
- Multi-media recognition throughout event
- Verbal recognition during event
- Logo placement on event invitations
- Recognition in event advertising
- Logo placement and link on event website
- Listing on pre-event materials
- Reserved priority seating
Gold Sponsor – $5,000
- Multi-media recognition throughout the event
- Logo placement on event invitations
- Logo placement on event website
- Listing on pre-event materials
- Reserved priority seating
Silver Sponsor – $3,000
- Multi-media recognition throughout the event
- Listing on event website
- Reserved seating for 10 guests (one table)
Sterling Sponsor – $1,500
- Multi-media recognition throughout event
- Reserved seating for 5 guests
Bronze Sponsor – $750
- Multi-media recognition throughout event
- Two tickets to the event
Match Sponsor
Interested in a Match Sponsorship? We need match sponsors during the Fund-A-Need portion of the event. If interested, contact Melissa Meyer.
Meet Maximo!
“Carismático, amoroso, respetuoso,” proudly says Juana, mother of six-year-old Maximo, when asked to describe him in three words: charismatic, loving, and respectful. As he explores the Sculpture Garden, leading his family and photographer to the perfect spot, we think of one more: líder—a leader.
Maximo’s love for learning is boundless. Whether speeding through his favorite Elephant and Piggie books or imagining himself as a chef, he dives in headfirst with joyous enthusiasm. “I’m amazed at how much Max knows,” Juana says, “and I’m so grateful to Way to Grow.”
His journey with Way to Grow began at just two years old during the pandemic. Though virtual visits were new to everyone, Maximo quickly adapted, eager to engage with his Family Educator, Eveline. “It was difficult at first, but he learned to pay attention, use technology, and learned a lot,” Juana reflects. “Now, whenever we visit with Eveline, Max is ready to go!”
When Maximo started preschool, his teachers were impressed by how much he already knew—but his intelligence came as no surprise to his family or Eveline. On a recent college field trip with his older sister, Maximo was the first to confidently raise his hand to ask thoughtful questions. “He’s already asking when we’ll visit another college!” Juana beams.
Though Maximo has a few years before stepping onto a college campus, his confidence shines through. “I am important,” he declares without hesitation, and we couldn’t agree more. Yes, Maximo—you are important, and with so many cheering you on, your incredible future is just beginning.