A single dollar may seem small—but when thousands come together, it becomes a powerful force that helps protect and strengthen the promise of Head Start for generations to come.
Dollar per Child fuels the work that makes sure Head Start’s story is heard, its impact is recognized, and its doors remain open to every child and family who needs it. This campaign funds NHSA’s work to raise awareness of the essential role Head Start plays in every community across the country and help ensure the program can reach more eligible children and families with its high-quality, comprehensive services.
Building connections at every level of government—local, state, and national—to make sure Head Start’s impact is understood and valued. We provide the facts about Head Start—unbiased, nonpartisan, and clear.
Bringing Head Start to the forefront of media coverage on early childhood education.
Maintaining a strong presence on Capitol Hill and working with the White House and the Office of Head Start to help shape legislation and decisions that affect families and programs nationwide.
All contributions to Dollar per Child are fax-deductible as charitable donations to National Head Start Association, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
NHSA is proud to partner with Kaplan Early Learning Company on the Dollar per Child campaign.
Yes. Programs can raise funds as long as no federal grant funds, program time, or resources are used. Be sure to follow your organization’s fundraising policies and procedures. Staff may volunteer their personal time outside of working hours. Participation must always be voluntary.
Dollar per Child funds must be kept separate from restricted federal funds. They should be placed in an unrestricted account and sent as contributions for the Dollar per Child campaign. Programs should check with their organization’s financial policies and operating regulations to ensure compliance.
While Head Start resources (e.g., facilities, equipment, etc.) cannot be used at any time, including when the Head Start program is closed, a noted exception is the de minimis use of office equipment to tabulate, record, and track the donations by staff during non-working hours.
All donations to the Dollar per Child campaign are tax-deductible because the recipient, NHSA, is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. This should be communicated to all contributors for their donations or resources for campaign events and activities.
Download the Dollar per Child Fundraising Guide for guidance on how to develop a fundraising strategy that best fits your program. The toolkit contains fundraising ideas, tips for recruiting volunteers, and guidelines for developing fundraising goals and timelines.
You may send contributions directly to:
National Head Start Association
Department #3 Donations
P.O. Box 829929
Philadelphia, PA 19182-9929
As a reminder: Head Start programs may collect funds for Dollar per Child Campaign activities as long as they are put into a separate unrestricted budget account. They may not be co-mingled in an account with restricted federal funds.
