Become a Sponsor

Project Backpack is about more than giving backpacks and supplies. It’s about giving students the confidence and resources they need to start the school year strong. We invite businesses and organizations to partner with us as sponsors and help make this event possible for hundreds of families in your community. Together, we can ease financial burdens, build confidence, and help children walk into the new school year prepared and proud.

Join us in making a difference by contacting Joel Yumba at jyumba@elgin.edu or call 847-214-7604 to become a sponsor.

There are two meaningful ways to sponsor: monetary sponsorship and/or service & in-kind sponsorship.

Monetary Sponsorships

Financial contributions allow us to purchase essential backpacks and supplies in bulk. This way, every child can receive what they need and we can maximize the number of families we serve. Just $5 pays for 1 backpack full of all the essential supplies. A gold sponsorship can pay for 200 backpacks - that’s about the size of two grade levels in an elementary school!

Service & In-Kind Sponsorships

We also welcome partners who would like to donate services or goods during the event. These contributions transform Project Backpack from a supply distribution into a full community experience that supports the whole child. As a service sponsor, you don’t just participate in the event - you become part of the community by giving support, care, and dignity to families that would consider you a neighbor. In turn, you will gain meaningful relationships and trust from potential clients.

Your sponsorship level as a service sponsor will be determined by the monetary value of your services for the estimated maximum number of participants you can serve during the event.

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits

Sponsors can gain certain benefits depending on the amount donated as outlined in the table below. Certain benefits may not be available after July 6, 2026.

• Gold Sponsor ($1,000+)
• July 6, 2026: Deadline to send a high-resolution logo for volunteer t-shirts
• July 20, 2026: Deadline to drop off 1,500 flyers at Elgin Community College in the Student Life Office, B173
• Silver Sponsor ($500 to $999)
• Bronze Sponsor ($200-$499)

Tammy Ray Sponsor Level

This year, we proudly introduce a special sponsorship level in honor of a beloved committee member, Tammy Ray, whose unwavering dedication to Project Backpack for over a decade helped shape this event into what it is today. Even in her passing, she continues to give back by asking others to donate to the continued success of Project Backpack.

In honor of Tammy’s memory, those who give a gift of $50 or more in her name may receive the benefits of our Bronze Level sponsorship, if desired. In addition, every $5 donated in Tammy’s name will sponsor a backpack with a special tag recognizing your contribution in her honor.

Column 1 describes what benefits you'll receive through sponsorship. Column 2 shows the Gold Sponsor level, $1,000 and up; Column 3 shows the Silver Sponsor level, $500 through $999; and Column 4 shows the Bronze Sponsor level, $200 through $499.

Our 2025 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Amazon

Amazon is committed to using its scale and abilities to take on some of society’s most pressing challenges, and improve the communities where they live and work all around the world. They do this through investing in local communities and employees, building a more sustainable company for our planet, customers, and employees, and supporting small- and medium-sized businesses selling in Amazon's stores.

State Senator Cristina Castro

Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro represents the 22nd District, which includes all or part of 11 different communities located within Cook and Kane County. She is a second-generation Mexican-American and lifelong district resident who is committed to her community and to public service.

Epic Real Estate Group

Epic Real Estate Group believes in the power of real estate to transform lives. Whether you're picturing your first cozy starter home, a spacious haven for your growing family, or a wise investment for the future, Epic Real Estate is here to guide you every step of the way.

Era Chicago Realty

Era Chicago Realty helps clients Chicago and its surrounding areas buy, sell, and invest in properties, helping them find their perfect home and achieve their real estate goal.

Familia Dental - Elgin

Familia Dental is more than just a dental office; we’re a part of your community. We’re committed to providing an environment where patients feel informed, comfortable, and cared for. Our commitment to provide compassionate, affordable family dentistry is reflected in the range of dental services our wonderful doctors provide.

First Congregational Church of Dundee

First Congregational Church of Dundee is deeply rooted in a long and local history. We have always been somewhat diverse, focused more on which unites us than what divides us. Yet we have come together at FCC of Dundee, united around a common mission: that we would be a place where all can grow in love of God and neighbor.

Greater Family Health

Greater Family Health provides quality, affordable health care for all, including those without the ability to pay. Their vision is to grow responsively and responsibly to fulfill unmet health needs, enhance community relationships and maintain financial viability.

Kane County Regional Office of Education

The Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE) is one of 38 educational service agencies in Illinois. Located in Geneva, we serve 9,600 educators across 524 square miles that span nine school districts across Kane County (U-46, Batavia 101, West Aurora 129, East Aurora 131, District 300, Central 301, Kaneland 302, St. Charles 303, and Geneva 304). Our mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership, perform regulatory functions, and coordinate state and local services for educators, school districts, and the community.

KCT Credit Union

KCT Credit Union (KCT) is proud to support Project Backpack and has enjoyed being a part of it since its inception. The KCT motto is "Building Stronger Communities Together," by supporting an organization that provides free backpacks and school supplies to thousands of children in our community, there is no better way to give back. They say it takes a village, but in our case, it takes a community to support and encourage those children as they return to school, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Northern Illinois Food Bank focuses on delivering the food and healthy eating services needed to thrive to their neighbors in the Northern Illinois community. As part of the national Feeding America network, they serve neighbors in 13 counties by providing 250,000 meals per day.

The Write Stuff

The Write Stuff has been servicing schools across the US since 1999 with school supply kits that contain brand name quality products. Their goal is to ensure teachers and students have all the necessary supplies for a successful school year.

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

• Centro de Información
• ECC Faculty Association
• Ecker Center for Behavioral Health
• Journey of Hope UMC
• Kane County Health Department
• Nuala Rosensteel Household