Camp iRock Matching Grant Challenge

four camp irock girls

Offer a $10,000 matching grant challenge for Camp iRock and receive exclusive marketing benefits.

A Unique Opportunity to Make a Difference

You are invited to multiply your gift, increase your impact on struggling K5-3rd graders in our community, and receive special marketing benefits by providing a $10,000 matching gift for the Spring 2023 #Fight4Literacy campaign to support Camp iRock.

 

United Way has partnered with Coaching for Literacy- a national organization that uses the power of sports to raise awareness and generate financial support for childhood literacy programs- to host #Fight4Literacy, a special fundraising campaign to benefit struggling young readers in Pickens County.

 

During the Spring 2023 #Fight4Literacy campaign, the community will be asked to make donations to Camp iRock through a special #Fight4Literacy fundraising portal. Local businesses will offer spirit nights and other fundraising specials to further drive donations to Camp iRock. The challenge will culminate in a special #Fight4Literacy Clemson University Men's Basketball game.

Last year, more than $40,000 was raised for Camp iRock through this effort.

Your sponsorship of $10,000 will generate excitement and drive extra donations for struggling readers by allowing donors to double their gift to Camp iRock, which in turn doubles YOUR gift.

Your Benefits

In addition to doing something truly amazing to help struggling young readers, you will receive exclusive marketing benefits. Marketing for this campaign will run approximately 3 months, beginning in early January and ending a few weeks after the #Fight4Literacy Clemson University Men's Basketball game (TBD).

Your logo or name will be listed on every piece of marketing, including:

  • Email to more than 3,000 people in our community
  • Dozens of social media posts (Facebook, Instagram)
  • Web presence including United Way of Pickens County's home page and a dedicated #Fight4Literacy webpage
  • Press releases
  • Special mention at the United Way of Pickens County Annual Meeting
  • Special mention in the United Way of Pickens County education report (approximately 400 print, 3,000 emailed, plus on webpage)
  • Camp iRock t-shirts (approximately 500 campers and staff)

Join the Fight

Join the #Fight4Literacy by sponsoring a $10,000 matching gift today. For more information or to make your sponsorship commitment, contact Jennifer Shurley, 864-850-7094 x104.

Why Camp iRock?

THE PROBLEM

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on many parts of our lives, and the children are no exception. This fall, only 40% of Pickens County 3rd graders were on track for reading proficiency. That means 60% of 3rd graders had fallen behind.

It's even worse for 2nd graders who lost so much during their formative first two years of school. Last spring, a staggering 76% of Pickens County 2nd graders were projected to not read at grade level by 3rd grade.

THE SOLUTION

Camp iRock is a proven summer program which helps children improve their reading abilities in an enriching summer camp environment. A partnership between United Way of Pickens County, the School District of Pickens County, and the YMCA, Camp iRock helps struggling K5-3rd graders over 6 weeks of the summer. Students are selected based on reading scores and other risk factors. Highly skilled teachers, Call Me MiSTER interns, and YMCA counselors provide intensive, personalized reading intervention along with literacy enhancing summer camp experiences such as field trips, swim lessons and games.

Last summer, more than 400 students were served, and 95% of campers tested either maintained or grew in their reading level. Camp iRock is a solid investment.

 

For more information or to make your sponsorship commitment, contact Jennifer Shurley, 864-850-7094 x104.