Corporate Partnership
Lower literacy rates don’t just hurt individual children; they hurt us all. They impact the future health and prosperity of Oregon. They add strain on social and health services, impede our economic growth, and weaken our workforce. Our founders, Oregon business leaders, understood this when they grew a grassroots nonprofit focused on children’s literacy. They understood that literacy is not just our education system’s challenge, but one for local communities, businesses, foundations, congregations, and neighbors. The proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That’s why we come alongside Oregon’s highest need schools to support kids and build brighter futures.
SMART Reading Corporate Partnership
SMART Reading’s roots in the business community run deep, and we’ve always been proud to offer a variety of business giving opportunities.
We were founded in 1991 by a group of business leaders who were worried about the fact that many of Oregon’s kids were reading below grade level. Our founders understood that there was a direct connection between an effective education system and a thriving economy with a strong workforce.
A year later, SMART Reading launched in eight schools in two cities, serving 585 children.
Today, SMART Reading is in nearly 300 sites across Oregon serving over 20,000 children. We are grateful for our corporate partners who have supported us with their time and resources over the years. Our supporters in the business community have played a vital part in providing Oregon with a more productive and literate workforce.
Corporate Giving Opportunities
Sponsor a SMART School
SMART School Sponsors make a direct impact on a school in our community by providing the financial support and often the employee volunteers to help SMART Reading students thrive. For more information please contact us at smart@smartreading.org or 971-634-1634.
Making a Corporate Gift
There are many ways that businesses and corporations can support SMART Reading in their local communities, including business partnerships and event sponsorships. For a menu of opportunities on how your business can invest in SMART Reading, please contact us at smart@smartreading.org or 971-634-1634.
Matching Employee Gifts
Match your gift and double your support! If you work for, or are retired from, a company that matches the charitable contributions of its employees, you can double the impact of your gift. Ask your human resources office about your options to double, or even triple, your gift to SMART Reading today. For details, please contact us at smart@smartreading.org or 971-634-1634.
Hold a Workplace Giving Campaign
Make SMART Reading the beneficiary of your employee giving campaign. Employee giving campaigns raise morale and encourage team building. Whether it’s “Give to Wear Jeans Day” or an annual Employee Giving Campaign, consider SMART Reading as your charity of choice. For more information on ways to partner with SMART Reading in your workplace, please contact us at 971-634-1634 or smart@smartreading.org.
Host a SMART Reading Presentation for your Employees
Interested in learning more about how an hour a week of your time can change a child’s life forever? Our staff are happy to visit with your employees to share more about becoming involved as a SMART Reading Volunteer Reader. For details please email smart@smartreading.org.