Stories of a Colorful World · 2026 Summer Series
Partner With Us
Sponsor Summer Is Lit!
A free five-event outdoor reading series on Franklin Avenue Open Streets in Crown Heights, Brooklyn — bringing BIPOC authors, Brooklyn craft partners, and hundreds of free books to families all summer long. Your sponsorship makes it happen.
In partnership with Bridge Street Development Corporation · Franklin Avenue Open Streets · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
5 Events · June – October 2026
The Summer Is Lit! Series
Five free outdoor events on Franklin Avenue, one per month, building community all summer and culminating in an all-partner Series Finale in October.
Jun 6
Kickoff
Jul 25
Mid-Summer
Aug 22
Back-to-School
Sep 26
My Story
Finale
Oct 3
Series Finale
12:00 – 6:00 PM each date
Franklin Ave Open Streets, Crown Heights
Free for all families
Rain or shine
Every Event Includes
What Your Sponsorship Brings to Life
Live Read-Alouds + Book Signings
Three live BIPOC authors and illustrators at every event — live read-alouds,
Q&A with families, and a dedicated book signing table so every child
can meet the creator behind their favorite book.
Brooklyn Craft Partner Activation
A hands-on craft experience for kids led by our Brooklyn-based creative
partners — Cocoa Puzzles and Our Baobab Tree —
rotating across the series with a special multi-partner activation at the October 3 Finale.
Kente Cones Ice Cream
A sweet community tradition. Kente Cones brings their
Brooklyn-based gourmet frozen desserts — made with ingredients from Africa —
to every Summer Is Lit! event. A delicious, culturally rooted treat that
makes every family's day a little sweeter.
Free Book Giveaway
100 free culturally affirming books per event — 150 at the Series Finale.
500+ books distributed across the series, directly into the hands of
Crown Heights families. Every book has your name on it.
Why Partner With SOCW
Real Impact. Real Visibility.
Summer Is Lit! puts your brand where it matters most — in the heart of Brooklyn, alongside the families, educators, and community leaders who live here.
Community Reach
Your brand in front of families, educators, and community leaders at 5 Brooklyn Open Streets events across the summer.
Mission Alignment
Sponsoring SOCW signals a commitment to children's literacy, representation, and equity — values that resonate with the communities you want to reach.
Author & Media Presence
Events draw published BIPOC authors, local press, and community influencers. Your logo and name travel with every piece of coverage.
DOE & School Network
As an NYC DOE Approved Vendor, SOCW reaches schools citywide. Sponsors gain association with that trusted, credentialed network.
Books in Children's Hands
Sponsor a giveaway and your name goes on every bookplate. That story follows the child home — and stays on their shelf all year.
Content & Social Coverage
Featured in event social content, email recaps, and newsletters reaching 1,500+ engaged families per series across Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Choose Your Level of Impact
All sponsorships are per event. Can't commit to the full series? Start with one date and grow from there. Every tier puts books in children's hands.
Tier 01
Community
Sponsor
Sponsor
$1,500
per event
Best for: local businesses, Greek organizations, small foundations, community groups
- ✓Logo on event signage and program
- ✓Verbal recognition from the stage
- ✓Social media mention (1 post) before the event
- ✓Name listed on SOCW website event page
- ✓Promotional items in family giveaway bags
Tier 02 · Most Popular
Program
Sponsor
Sponsor
$3,750
per event
Best for: mid-size businesses, corporate ERGs, foundations, sorority/fraternity chapters
- ✓Everything in Community Sponsor tier
- ✓Logo on all event promotional materials (flyers, email, social)
- ✓Dedicated social media feature post (branded content)
- ✓Speaking moment or table presence at the event
- ✓Recognition in post-event impact report
Tier 03
Presenting
Sponsor
Sponsor
$10,000
per event
Best for: corporations, major foundations, city agencies, national brands
- ✓Everything in Program Sponsor tier
- ✓Event named in your honor ("[Brand] presents Summer Is Lit!")
- ✓Premier logo placement — all materials and stage backdrop
- ✓Extended social campaign (3 posts: before, during, after)
- ✓Co-branded content asset (reel, recap, or photo set)
- ✓Custom impact report delivered post-event
Featured Opportunities
Go Bigger. Go Deeper.
Looking for maximum visibility across the full series, or a meaningful investment that goes beyond the festival? These opportunities are built for you.
Featured · Series-Wide
Series Title Sponsor
$12,500
Your name on all 5 events · full series recognition
- ✓Premier logo on all 5 event signage and materials
- ✓Social recognition across all 5 event promotions (10+ posts)
- ✓Named as series partner in all SOCW newsletters and email campaigns
- ✓Speaking moment at the June 6 kickoff and October 3 finale
- ✓Custom post-series impact report covering all 5 dates
- ✓Co-branded content asset — reel, recap, or photo set
Add-On · School Year Impact
Classroom Library Partner
$2,500
Per classroom · 30 students · 90 books placed
- ✓Fully curated classroom library of BIPOC-authored books
- ✓3 take-home books per student (30 students per classroom)
- ✓"Sponsored by [Your Name]" bookplate sticker in every book
- ✓Recognition in SOCW campaign acknowledgements + logo placement
- ✓Delivered to NYC public schools during the 2026–2027 school year
- ✓Post-program impact report with photos and data
SOCW's Track Record
Your Dollars, Measured
3,000+
Students Served
3,500+
Books Distributed
1,500+
Families Engaged
100+
Classrooms Supported
At a Glance
Tiers Compared
| Benefit | Community $1,500 |
Program $3,750 |
Presenting $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo on signage & program | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verbal recognition from stage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social media mention | 1 post | Featured post | 3-post campaign |
| Website listing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Promotional materials (flyers, email, bags) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaking moment / table presence | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-event impact report | — | ✓ | Custom |
| Event naming rights | — | — | ✓ |
| Co-branded content asset | — | — | ✓ |
Let's Build Something Together
Ready to Partner With SOCW?
Fill out the form and Kanika will be in touch within 48 hours to confirm availability, answer questions, and send a simple agreement. We handle everything else.
Get in Touch Directly
Email
info@storiesofacolorfulworld.com
Instagram
@storiesofacolorfulwrld
Website
storiesofacolorfulworld.com
01
Choose your level. Community ($1,500), Program ($3,750), Presenting ($10,000), or ask about Series or Classroom options.
02
Connect with Kanika. Submit the form or email us. We'll confirm event availability and send a simple agreement.
03
Get recognized. Once confirmed, we handle everything — logo collection, materials, and making your brand shine at every event.
Community Giving
Every Dollar Counts
Not every contribution has to be a formal sponsorship. If you believe in what Summer Is Lit! is doing for Brooklyn families and want to chip in at any level, we welcome it. Community donations go directly toward free books for families.
💛
Want to give a different amount?
Reach out at info@storiesofacolorfulworld.com and we'll make it work. Every dollar goes directly toward books for families. No gift is too small.
Common Questions
Sponsorship FAQ
Can I sponsor just one event instead of the full series?
Absolutely. All per-event tiers (Community, Program, and Presenting) are available for individual dates. The Series Title Sponsorship is the only series-wide option. Pick the date that works best for your schedule or budget.
How do payments and agreements work?
After you submit an inquiry, Kanika will send a simple sponsorship agreement and invoice. Payment is due before the event date. We accept checks, ACH, and major credit cards.
What assets do you need from us to get started?
Just your logo (PNG or SVG, high resolution) and a contact for your social media handles so we can tag you properly. We handle all design and production — you don't need to provide materials.
Is this tax-deductible?
SOCW is a for-profit company, so sponsorships are not charitable donations. However, sponsorships are typically deductible as a business marketing or advertising expense. Please consult your tax advisor for confirmation.
Can my organization have a table or booth at the event?
Yes — Program and Presenting Sponsors receive a table presence at the event. If you're a Community Sponsor and would like to discuss table options, reach out and we'll let you know what's available.
What happens if an event is rained out?
Summer Is Lit! events are rain or shine. In the case of severe weather requiring postponement, sponsors are notified immediately and all benefits transfer to the rescheduled date at no additional cost.
Can I sponsor with in-kind goods or services instead of cash?
We consider in-kind partnerships on a case-by-case basis. If you have goods or services that could support the event (books, craft supplies, printing, food for authors/volunteers), reach out and let's talk.
What's the deadline to sponsor for June 6th?
To ensure your logo appears on printed materials for June 6th, we need agreements finalized by May 23rd. For digital and social recognition, we can accommodate sponsors up to one week before the event.