Cincinnati Preschool Promise is bringing back its pitch night competition that aims to make it easier to work with the nonprofit group.
Cincinnati Preschool Promise, which launched in 2016 as an effort to expand access to high-quality preschool in the city, opened the submission process for its second pitch night competition, which will take place virtually in the coming weeks, extending an open invitation to entrepreneurs, local individuals, nonprofits and businesses.
The competition, the group said, will allow parties to pitch ideas to "identify, fund and implement new products and services" that support the Cincinnati Preschool Promise mission.
Like last year, proposals should focus on at least one of four strategic focus areas:
- Kindergarten readiness — helping preschoolers attain the skills necessary for success in primary school and beyond.
- Improving community preschools — supporting community providers in reaching and maintaining 3, 4 or 5 stars on Ohio’s Step Up To Quality rating system.
- Supporting early childhood education workforce — driving recruitment, retention and equitable wages for early childhood educators
- Covid-19 recovery — addressing the challenges in early childhood education faced by preschoolers, families and educators related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chara Fisher Jackson, executive director and CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, said every idea will be considered. Submissions are due by noon Thursday, Feb. 3.
“We encourage creative, out-of-the-box thinking to enhance our preschoolers and families educational journey,” Fisher Jackson said in a release.
A review board will recommend finalists to the Cincinnati Preschool Promise board of managers. The participants selected will make virtual presentations to a panel of judges and a live audience of parents, community providers, educators and community members on Facebook Tuesday, March 1, the release said.
The criteria and application for participating in Pitch Night is available at http://www.cincy-promise.org/.
This is the second year Cincinnati Preschool Promise has held its pitch competition. The 2021 awardee was the Linton Chamber Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam programming. Peanut Butter & Jam sessions, or musical encounters that provide a friendly, educational and enjoyable introduction to classical music, are held at community provider locations.
