Smart Start Children’s Champion Nomination Form

Each year, Smart Start of New Hanover County celebrates and recognizes members of our community who provide exceptional service, going above and beyond, for young children and/or their families in New Hanover County during children’s first 2,000 days of life, from birth to age 5.

Our Children’s Champions Fundraiser will recognize all nominees.

Previous nominees have included pediatricians, early childhood educators, social workers, members of volunteer organizations, foster parents, school administrators, etc.  Read the Nomination Guidelines and Award Selection Details.

Online Nomination Form is below.

Note: Please be as descriptive and thorough as possible.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Person you would like to honor *

Their email address *

Their HOME mailing address (if known)

Address Line 1

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Their Phone (if known)

Their job title, occupation and employer (if applicable) *

Their business address (if known)

Address Line 1

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Your Name *

Your Relationship to the Nominee *

Your e-mail address *

Your mailing address *

Address Line 1

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Your Phone *

How, in YOUR eyes, does the nominee’s accomplishments or actions make them a Champion for Children? The more details, the better. *

Please use as much space as you need and give specific examples of how you have seen your nominee. • go above and beyond; • how their work supports children in their first 2,000 days and those children’s caregivers; • how they have made a difference – for one child or family, to groups of children, or to our early childhood system.

Questions? Contact jennifer.gallo@newhanoverkids.org.

Submit

Nomination Guidelines and Award Selection

Guidelines and processes for nominating and selecting award recipients.

Eligibility:

Any person over the age of 18 serving young children (0-5) and/or their families in New Hanover County is eligible to be nominated.  Service may be in a professional or volunteer capacity.  Nominations may come from any community members not employed with or on the Board of Smart Start of NHC.

The nomination process:

Nominations are taken for people that have made significant contributions towards the success of young children (0-5) in New Hanover County.  This may include someone going over and above their expected duties, someone who has given of their time and resources to support young children, or someone who has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of children. SSNHC is interested in receiving nominations of individuals at all stages in their careers, including both senior and mid-career professionals, and “rising stars”.

Each nominee will be announced and honored at the annual Smart Start Children’s Champions Fundraiser.

• The nomination period is Feb 5, 2026 through Mar 4, 2026.
• Nominators are asked to give specific examples of the nominee’s accomplishments.
• The nomination form constitutes the sole basis for the nomination. The thoroughness and details of the nomination matters.
• The Smart Start Board’s Advocacy & Development Committee will select award recipients.
• The award(s) will be presented during the Smart Start Children’s Champions Fundraiser.

Criteria under consideration include:

• Focus on service impacting children prenatal to kindergarten entry.
• Dedication to the development, delivery, expansion, or improvement of services for young children and their families
• Significant work toward developing innovative approaches to delivery of services and/or addressing previously unmet needs
• Successful advocacy that favorably affects services, policy, funding, and/or community understanding of key issues impacting young children and their families.
• Exemplary service by emerging leaders who have shown outstanding accomplishments and achievements that have positively impacted the delivery of services and recognition of lifetime commitment to improving the lives of children and families.

Additional Information

• Current Smart Start of NHC employees and board members are not eligible for the award.
• Repeat nominations are allowed with an updated narrative but prior champions may not be re-nominated.
• The Smart Start Advocacy Committee welcomes nominees from every race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, ability, family status and socioeconomic status in our effort to recognize the accomplishments of richly varied perspectives.

For more information, please email Jennifer Gallo, jennifer.gallo@newhanoverkids.org.

Children’s Champions Fundraiser Registration

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Name *

First

Last

Email *

Business or Organization *

Would your business or organization like to become a Sponsor?

• Yes, please share more information about Sponsorships.

Address *

Address Line 1

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Phone *

Please also register the following friends (include email)

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Subscribe to Newsletter

• I would like to subscribe to Smart Start of NHC's quarterly newsletter.

Email for Newsletter *

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Please click Submit only once.
If you have questions, contact jennifer.gallo@newhanoverkids.org or call (910)815-3731 x1028.

Submit

download pdf

Please Join Us as a Table Host for the
2026 Breakfast for Children’s Champions!

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At Smart Start of New Hanover County, our annual Breakfast for Children’s Champions (BCC) is the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts—and we need your help to make it a success! This year, the event will take place on Tuesday, March 11th at the Hotel Ballast in downtown Wilmington.

The Breakfast is an opportunity to celebrate young children by highlighting incredible early educators, service providers, and community members who are making a real difference in their lives. It’s also a time to share how Smart Start of NHC is creating lasting impact through our programs.

We need YOU to help fill the room with friends, family, and colleagues who care about the future of our children!

Becoming a BCC Table Host is easy! Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Invite and confirm at least 8 guests, including yourself.
2. Simply forward their names, email addresses, and phone numbers by February 21, 2026 to jennifer.gallo@newhanoverkids.org.

There is no cost to attend.  However, all guests will be invited to make a personally meaningful gift to help support the important work we do for children and families in our community.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a guest list of 15-20 people who might be interested in learning about the impact of Smart Start. Think about including:

• • Individuals who are passionate about children’s causes.
  • Those who generously support other nonprofits.
  • Friends, family, business associates, or community members who might be a good fit.
  • Someone to co-host a table with you!

2. Reach out personally to your guests with a warm email or a quick phone call.  Personal invitations make all the difference!

The most important thing is to fill your table with individuals who are excited to learn about our mission and support it. Every invitation makes a difference!

Want more details or need help with your table?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or email. We’re here to support you every step of the way!  Together, we can make this year’s Breakfast for Children’s Champions our most successful yet.

Thank you for helping us provide a brighter future for every child in New Hanover County!