Sparks of Change

Dear Friends,

I hope your summer has been great and full of memories with those you love! I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU for your ongoing support and shared commitment to our mission: to nurture and sustain child-centered, antiracist early learning communities. Our staff works diligently daily to improve the quality of early learning services and increase families’ access to early learning experiences. We want to create a place where we can share instances of success and reflection and build a culture of community-based philanthropy and shared commitment to BrightSpark’s work! And so, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our Sparks of Change Donor Newsletter!

As a donor, you are part of a network and community of supporters whom we want to keep informed and updated on the incredible impact your collective generosity continues to make. In this quarterly newsletter, you can expect to find insight into BrightSpark’s work, messages from our staff, and data that shows how our partnership impacts the communities across King and Pierce Counties—as well as upcoming events and ways you and your networks can get involved! 

On behalf of the Fund Development Team, I want to express our deepest thanks for being an invaluable part of our community. Whether you have been with us for years or joined as a new supporter in the last year, your support allows us to serve providers and families as we work together to build kid-centric, antiracist early learning communities.  

We look forward to sharing information and important updates with you through our Sparks of Change Newsletter. Thank you, once again, for being an essential part of our journey.

Donny Willeto

External Affairs Officer

For over 30 years, BrightSpark has helped families find affordable, high-quality early learning experiences!

Finding and paying for child care is a huge challenge for many families in Washington and across the county. BrightSpark takes on this challenge and has increased access to high-quality early learning. We do this by partnering with city, county, and state governments and fundraise to create and fund a subsidy program that supports families across King and Pierce Counties.  

$2 Million in Monthly Subsidies

 As of November 2023, BrightSpark administers roughly $2 million per month in subsidies through the Best Starts for Kids (BSK) Child Care Subsidy Program. This program is one of many that BrightSpark uses to support low-income and homeless families access child care. By helping families secure child care, parents and caregivers are able to find employment, stay employed, seek and secure housing, and provide for the every day needs of their families; all while their children are learning, socializing, and building connection in a safe, engaging learning environment.

Resources For Families!

BrightSpark is proud to operate the Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center. The Family Center is a statewide call center that connects and refers families to licensed child care providers and affordable, high-quality early learning opportunities. The Family Center also offers other services like Homeless Navigation where staff help families get signed up for state subsidy support and get connected to a child care provider that knows how to support families experiencing housing instability. In the last year, Over 14,000 children and families were supported through the Family Center!

In each quarterly newsletter, we will highlight programs that benefit from our community of supporters. We will also keep you updated on the progress we’re making to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning!

Last year, BrightSpark launched the Learn Together Program in partnership with the Kent School District, the Puget Sound Educational Service District, the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, the Community Network Council, and the City of Kent Parks and Recreation. The program is an expansion of our Brother’s and Sister’s curriculum, which equips youth caregivers with the resources needed to provide quality care for younger siblings, including learning about child development, how what they do supports children’s well-being and school readiness, incorporating early STEM concepts, child safety as well as practicing self-care and mindfulness techniques to help youth’s well-being.

This last year, two cohorts of youth caregivers took place at East Hill and Springbrook Elementary Schools in the Kent School District. The program was warmly received, with 24 students completing the curriculum over the school year. This before and after-school programming is already having an impact, with the Springbrook principal observing a reduction in negative behaviors and an uptick in academic performance among the enrolled students. She says the Learn Together program creates a safe place for students to learn interpersonal skills, engage with others, and spend time with friends. This work was made possible in part by our amazing community of BrightSpark supporters, partners, and donors. We can’t wait to see how this program continues to develop and how it will equip youth caregivers and the siblings in their care with the resources to have a great start in school and in life!

We Are Stronger Together!

At BrightSpark, one of our core values is that we are stronger together. In each newsletter, we will highlight ways in which our community has come together to advance our mission and ways in which you can engage.

Bloom Together Spring Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser

April 1- May 31

Over the months of April and May this year, BrightSpark’s community of supporters came together for our first-ever Bloom Together Spring Fundraiser! This peer-to-peer fundraising campaign sought to engage our community to serve as ambassadors for BrightSpark and utilize their networks to raise funds and spread the word about our work. With help from supporters like you, we raised over $60,000 to support our programs! Stay tuned for more information about how to get involved with Bloom Together, as this will be an annual fundraiser during the spring.

We want to give a big shoutout to our community partner, NW Fitness Project, who raised funds for BrightSpark through their gym by spreading the word and hosting group fitness classes. Thank you for your support!

Meet BrightSpark’s Fund Development Team!

Donny Willeto: Donny (she/her) joined BrightSpark in 2020 and serves as the External Affairs Officer overseeing Advocacy, Public Policy, Marketing, Communications, and Fund Development. Donny is excited to lead this team of passionate, community-centric humans. With over 15 years of nonprofit experience, Donny is passionate about community-centered work and connecting with donors, advocates, corporate partners, and volunteers.  

Katie Halterman: Katie (she/her) has been at BrightSpark since January 2023 and serves as the Director of Development. Throughout her 10 years in nonprofit work, she has focused on nonprofit fundraising, engaging fundraising events, and working with corporate and individual donors. Katie has a passion for connecting people with meaningful causes to champion.

Michaela Regehr: Michaela (she/her) joined BrightSpark in February 2023 as the newest Fund Development member, serving as Development Coordinator. Her six years of nonprofit experience focus on the early learning sector, creating equitable systems, and best-practice fundraising efforts. Michaela has an enthusiastic drive to meet new people, engage with constituents, and welcome all community members into this work.

Get ready for the event of the year! We are thrilled to invite you to our highly anticipated Annual Event, a night packed with excitement, fun, and extraordinary experiences.

October 5th: BrightSpark’s Annual Fundraising Event!

Join us on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 5 PM at the Renton Pavilion Events Center. This is our largest and most significant fundraiser of the year, helping us to advance our mission of nurturing and sustaining child-centered, antiracist early learning communities! 

 Why You Can’t Miss This:

• Incredible Prizes: From Kraken games to Zoo trips, our raffle and silent auction items are truly spectacular. You could be the lucky winner of a dream getaway to Montana or a relaxing wine-tasting experience.
• Gourmet Delights & Fine Wine: Savor a sumptuous family-style meal paired with a selection of local wines and beer. Your taste buds are in for a treat!
• Live Music: Enjoy performances by the talented local jazz group, The Scratch Cats, and listen to the inspiring songs from Seattle Children’s Chorus, adding a beautiful soundtrack to an already amazing evening.
• Networking Opportunities: Rub shoulders with fellow philanthropists, business leaders, providers, and community influencers. This is your chance to make valuable connections and expand your network.
• Meet Legislators: Engage in insightful conversations with local and state legislators making a difference in our community. Learn firsthand about the policies and initiatives shaping our future.
• Discover Our Impact: Gain a deeper understanding of our mission and our incredible work. Hear inspiring stories from our panelists and discover how you can join our journey of collective change.

This is not just any event – it’s THE event where passion meets purpose. Your attendance supports our cause and drives our mission forward. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable evening! 

Register, Sponsor, or Donate

Family-Friendly: Bring the whole family! Kids attend for free.

Register/Purchase Tickets: Don’t miss out on this incredible event. Click the button below to secure your spot today!

Donate Early: Can’t attend but still want to support our mission? Consider making an early donation. 

Sponsorship Opportunities: Interested in sponsoring the event? Gain visibility for your organization while supporting a great cause. Learn more about sponsorship packages here.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Discover more at BrightSpark.org!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates, information surrounding our evolution into BrightSpark Early Learning Services, and opportunities to support our work.