Heart Math Tutoring pilots virtual summer math tutoring with support from the COVID-19 Response Fund and Pamlico Capital
July 22, 2020
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Heart Math Tutoring (“Heart Tutoring”) was awarded $20,000 from the COVID-19 Response Fund to support a summer math tutoring program for 75 Charlotte elementary students. The six-week virtual tutoring program began in late June and has the goals of developing an evolved and updated virtual program format ready for fall 2020 and supporting 75% of enrolled students in demonstrating growth in at least one math concept area measured on Heart’s pre and post-assessments. The COVID-19 Response Fund is administered through a partnership between Foundation For The Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas, in close coordination with the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
An additional $30,000 grant from Pamlico Capital will fully cover the cost of the summer pilot and support fall 2020 programming. Pamlico Capital has partnered with Heart Tutoring for volunteer and financial needs since the nonprofit’s inception in 2013. Ten Pamlico Capital team members volunteered as tutors with Heart Math Tutoring in the 2019/20 school year.
According to 2019 North Carolina End of Grade Tests (EOGs), 49% of economically disadvantaged students are on grade level in Grades 3-8 in math in CMS. Some studies show that school interruptions due to COVID-19 and summer break may cause students to lose over half of what they learned during 2019/20 (NWEA 2020 Report). These recent grants are providing math skills and mentorship to over 70 students this summer, with an added benefit of enabling Heart Math Tutoring to test and refine a virtual tutoring model to be ready to launch for over 1,000 students in fall 2020.
Emily Gaffney, Executive Director of Hear Math Tutoring, says, “Pamlico Capital, United Way, and Foundation For The Carolinas have been positively impacting Heart Math Tutoring students for many years. We are especially grateful for their partnership in this unique time, knowing it is more important than ever to direct resources to children who are falling behind.” She adds, “We know that students and volunteers can make powerful connections – even over a computer screen – and we are counting on our volunteers and supporters to stay engaged in the virtual format to give students the emotional encouragement and math support that will unlock doors to future opportunities. Thank you to all who are supporting students in our community!”
About Heart Math Tutoring
Heart Math Tutoring is a Charlotte-based nonprofit founded in 2013 with a mission to ensure that all elementary students develop the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success, by helping schools use volunteers as tutors. Over 1,000 community members commit one hour per week to deliver an effective, hands-on curriculum through one-on-one tutoring sessions during the school day in high-poverty elementary schools. For more information, visit hearttutoring.org.
About Pamlico Capital
Pamlico Capital is a private equity firm founded in 1988 that invests in lower middle market companies in the U.S. Pamlico Capital seeks control-oriented growth equity investments alongside proven management teams in its target industries: business & technology services, communications, and healthcare. Since inception, the firm, based in Charlotte, NC, has invested over $3 billion. For more information, visit https://www.pamlicocapital.com/