Sponsor a Student

You have the power to transform a life today.

As a sponsor, 100% of your donation funds go to a Delaware student’s LYTE educational programming. The impact of quality education and LYTE’s supportive programming is undeniable, and as a sponsor you get to share in the milestones along the way.

Sponsors are Matched with a LYTE Scholar

Depending on the time of year that you choose to sponsor a Scholar you will be matched with an 8th or 9th grade student. Shortly after the matching process you will receive the first communication from the Scholar about their experience in the LYTE program.

Student Milestones

Communication points from sponsored students

Sponsors will receive several personalized updates throughout the sponsored year.

Program Breakdown

8th Grade

  • January (About the Scholar)
    • Introduction to Student (school, background, interests)
    • LYTE Activities
      • My LYTE classes
      • Where have I applied to high school
      • Test prep for high school entrance exams
  • April/May (Charting Trajectory)
    • LYTE Activities
      • Smarter balance prep
      • I have been accepted/going to these schools
      • What am I excited about for high school
  • Late June (Gearing Up for HS)
    • LYTE Activities (mid summer)
      • Community based project
      • High school prep

9th Grade

  • October (I’m in HS)
    • LYTE Activities
      • SMART Goals
    • Transition to high school
  • December/January (Freshmen Activities)
    • LYTE Activities
      • Mentorship
      • Tutoring
      • Monthly meetings
    • What am I involved in for HS
      • Sports
      • Clubs
      • Band
  • Late July (Rising Sophomores)
    • Internships (assisted by LYTE)
    • FLii program
    • GSB (undetermined timing)

10th Grade

  • October (Sophomore Fall Update)
    • Debrief from summer
    • LYTE Activities
      • Mentorship
      • Tutoring
      • Monthly Meetings
      • Course selection
    • SMART Goals
  • December/January (Prep for Winter)
    • LYTE Activities
      • Mentorship
      • Tutoring
      • Monthly meetings
    • What am I involved in for HS
      • Sports
      • Clubs
      • Band
  • June/July (Rising Juniors)
    • SAT Prep
    • Working for the summer
    • College programs/internships

11th Grade

  • October (Leveling Up)
    • SMART Goals
      • Goals for the year
    • Rigorous courses (APs, honors, IB)
    • Potential career options
  • January - March (Starting the Journey)
    • SAT Prep + exam
    • Starting college process
    • Begin forming college lists
  • June/July (The Essentials)
    • Drafting college essay
    • Working on application
    • Applications to fly-ins
    • University summer programs
      • IE CRSI (UD)
      • Drexel college preps
      • SMASH
      • and more

12th Grade

  • September - November (Home Stretch)
    • Goal setting
    • SAT (if applicable)
    • College applications
  • December - April (I Got In)
    • College applications
    • College acceptances
    • What I am looking forward to for college
  • June (The Send Off)
    • Graduating high school
    • Graduating from LYTE
      • Available for all LYTE staff and contributors
    • What LYTE has meant to me

Become a Sponsor

Sponsors commit at different levels to support one or more students from 8th grade through high school. Full sponsorship at $2,500 per year for five years will impact a student for a lifetime. Many sponsors commit one year at a time and there are options to co-sponsor at $1,250 per year or utilize matching funds from your employer.

  1. Your gift of sponsorship funds our 8th grade after school and summer classes, where LYTE prepares students for a rigorous high school experience.
  2. Once Scholars enter high school, your support helps us regularly monitor and advocate for students to get the best education possible in one of dozens of great high school programs in Delaware. We also develop skills required for success in rigorous high schools.
  3. As students enter their junior and senior years, your funds provide dedicated staff to challenge and inspire our Scholars to get into the right-fit college for them. We provide access to many financial resources to pay for college including paid internships, scholarships, and many grants.

Impact of Sponsorship

Students who participate in LYTE programming attend college at a far higher rate than students of similar demographics in Delaware overall. The impact of your sponsorship extends to their college success, career goals, and passion for giving back to their community.

100% of students in our programs come from low-income, African-American, or Latino backgrounds

100% are underrepresented in top high school programs and as college graduates

100% are willing to work hard to change their opportunities