Service Partners
Serving Families Collaboratively
Our extensive network of Service Partners is the crucial link between Cradles to Crayons and the children we serve. Everything we distribute is in partnership with organizations that provide a variety of services and meet a range of needs. This partnership model allows us to all focus on what we uniquely do best.
Cradles to Crayons works with more than 500 Service Partners. Our Partners use our mobile Partner Portal to place orders for essentials; each order is based on the needs of a specific child in their care. These orders are processed and packaged in The Giving Factory and are then ready for pickup by our Service Partners, who deliver them directly to the families. Together, we distribute over 9.6 million items annually.
We are a Mission Critical Partner
Service Partners share that Cradles to Crayons is a reliable, key partner in their work—and we continue to fill gaps with high-quality items that no other community or governmental resource can provide.
- Cradles to Crayons’ partnership is world-class, with a net promoter score of 96.
- 99% of Service Partners agree that Cradles to Crayons helps them deliver on their mission.
- 87% of Service Partners could not find the items Cradles to Crayons provides free of charge elsewhere.
Cradles to Crayons and our Service Partners collectively serve racially and linguistically diverse, tight-knit, caring, and committed communities. 82% of the families C2C supports make under $30,000 a year—which is under the federal poverty line—and more than half earn less than $10,000 a year. Working with Cradles to Crayons ensures better success for Service Partners and the families they serve.
The families we serve go above and beyond for their children. They are enrolled in our programming because they want the best for their children’s future. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of with families and an honor we strive to be better at.
What we’re trying to do is trying to support them by reducing the amount of stress and barriers, so that they can devote that time and energy to bettering their situation. Every tube of toothpaste [from Cradles to Crayons] is $5 they can use to better their lives.”
How We Serve our Partners
Diaper Program
Cradles to Crayons maintains a number of collaborative relationships to provide diapers as needed by our Services Partners throughout the year. Unlike individually tailored packages that contain different types of items, this program provides large quantities of a one particular type of item—such as sleeves of diapers and wipes.
Bulk Program
Through our partner portal, Service Partners request packages filled with Everyday Essentials, which are tailored to meet a child’s everyday needs. Most of our partnerships fall under this category.
Backpack Program
Once a year, Cradles to Crayons provides a high volume of backpacks to Service Partners and school districts. Service Partners are eligible to request backpacks for the children and families they serve, but we also maintain once-a-year partnerships to help children get Ready for Learning.
