Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Universal Education Institute, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Universal School
Mailing Address: 1957 Genesee Street
City: Buffalo
State: New York
Postal Code: 14211
Main Phone: (716) 597-0102
Main Fax: (716) 954-2253
Organization Website: https://www.myuniversalschool.org
Employer ID Number: 01-0709661
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: March 30, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Media Center/Library Project
Project Description:

To support creation of a dedicated Media Center/Library at Universal School for K-12th grade students.

Universal School currently has small, in classroom libraries and some outdated technolog for students’ use, with no dedicated space for research and study. The Media Center/Library will provide a dedicated resource area where students can learn to research, perform research for assignments and projects, study, and borrow books.
Most of our students are Muslim and people of color. Over 75% meet financial hardship standards, live in high need zip codes, and receive financial aid to attend the school. Many live in non-English speaking homes and require ESL support.
Requested funds will help Universal School, located in one of the highest crime, highest poverty rate zip codes in Western New York, give more than 200 K-12 students access to relevant educational tools, addressing educational inequities for some of the areas most underserved, underrepresented students. According to a 2022 Bay Atlantic University Study, use of digital learning tools “boost student engagement, assist teachers in improving lesson plans, and enable personalized learning. It also helps students to develop critical thinking skills.”
Use of technology in the schools sharpens students’ critical thinking skills, increases collaboration, improves communication, and offers personalized learning opportunities. Furthermore, students exhibit better comprehension, improved classroom engagement, greater facility for exploring complex matters, and more effective learning (https://bau.edu/blog/technology-impact-on-learning/ ).
As a result of the new Media Center/Library we anticipate:
• Students will understand and use technology more effectively, and expience icreased future opportunities and success
• Improved academic performance which will lead to future student success and opportunity
• 65% improvement in student proficiency with technology
• 25% improvement in academic performance
• 25% increase in self-directed learning and classroom engagement.

Total Project Budget: $69,507.90

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): AXA XL Regional Grant Program – $49,687 – Request Pending

Project Duration: June 2023 through May 2024
Geographical Area Served: Western, New York with the majority of our students living in the 14211, 14215, and 14218 zip codes.
Age Group To Be Served: Kindergarten through grade 12 students

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Sister
Contact First Name: Terjuana
Contact Last Name: Teruel
Contact Title: Principal
Contact Phone: (716) 597-0102
Contact Email: ateruel@myuniversalschool.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Best Buddies International in Palm Beach
Legal Name (if Different): Best Buddies International
Also Known As: Best Buddies
Mailing Address: 1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.Suite 401
City: West Palm Beach
State: FL
Postal Code: 33401
Main Phone: 561.972.5312 x. 501
Main Fax: 561-557-2109
Organization Website: www.bestbuddies.org/florida
Employer ID Number: 52-1614576
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/29/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000.00

Project Title: Best Buddies in Palm Beach Friendship and Leadership Program
Project Description:

Best Buddies Friendship Programs represent one of our organization’s four key mission pillars. These programs build one-to-one friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy. They are also given opportunities to learn leadership skills such as writing and giving speeches, advocacy, teamwork, and so much more!

At each school, a faculty advisor works alongside student leaders to recruit students with and without IDD to join the chapter and be matched. Best Buddies requires that new friends contact each other once per week and that they spend time together at least twice per month. One major key to the success of our project design is the one-year commitment required of all buddy pairs. This continuity allows for meaningful friendships to develop while providing a mutually supportive community for participants.

Goals for this project include:
· Increase opportunities for socialization and inclusion of people with IDD
· Help individuals with and without IDD develop social skills critical to furthering education opportunities and employment options.
· Provide opportunities for leadership development.
· Increase awareness of the abilities of people with IDD in students and community members.
We respectfully request $10,000 to help support our friendship and leadership program at 42 schools throughout Palm Beach. Funding for this project will bring together 1,147 students in 2 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 24 high schools, and 3 colleges with and without IDD in inclusive, positive, and supportive social interactions in our chapters. Our Program Manager will also work to continue expansion into new schools in our community.

Total Project Budget: $104,103

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Florida Department of Education- $136,500 (committed) Fundraising Events- $100,000 (committed)

Project Duration: 7/1/2023-6/30/2024
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County, Martin County, St. Lucie County
Age Group To Be Served: 6-22

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Tricia
Contact Last Name: Williams
Contact Title: Area Director, Best Buddies in Palm Beach
Contact Phone: 561.972.5312 x 501
Contact Email: TriciaWilliams@bestbuddies.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: United Way of the Coastal Empire
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 428 Bull Street
City: Savannah
State: GA
Postal Code: 31401
Main Phone: 912.651.7715
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.uwce.org
Employer ID Number: 58-0623603
Organization Tax Status: Tax-exempt

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 03-30-2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: 2024 Read United
Project Description:

Read United aims to improve early language and childhood literacy for all children in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. On Read United Day sponsors and donors make it possible for United Way to place books in the homes of students in Pre-K through second grade across our service area. Volunteers and community leaders read to classrooms and give books to over 19,000 children.

Total Project Budget: $77,083

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Gateway Terminal, Rotary Club of Savannah, Savannah Economic Development Authority, Landings Military Family Relief Fund, Rotary of Effingham County, Cecilia Russo Marketing

Project Duration: Read United Day in February; program is year-round
Geographical Area Served: Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties in Georgia
Age Group To Be Served: 4 – 9 years

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Jennifer
Contact Last Name: Grusheski
Contact Title: Resource Development Project Manager
Contact Phone: 912.651.7715
Contact Email: jgrusheski@uwce.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Virginia Children’s Book Festival
Legal Name (if Different): Eleven Pictures LTD
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1166 Morton Road
City: Keysville
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 23947
Main Phone: 4343901962
Main Fax:
Organization Website: tvachildrensbookfestival.org
Employer ID Number: 20-4143989
Organization Tax Status: 501c4

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/30/2023
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Virginia Children’s Book Festival: Festival & Year-Round Programming
Project Description:

This award will support the work of the Virginia Children’s Book Festival, which is expanding its year-round programming, book distribution programs, and annual festival in order to meet the needs of Virginia’s children in light of the ongoing pandemic. The grant will cover workshops costs, book purchases, and some associated costs of the festival. Our free festival is one of the best attended on the East Coast with 22 sessions offered each day. Dedicated volunteers carry out these programs and our mission. Having served 50K children, teachers, and families in 2021, the increase in registrations coupled with the dramatic increase in book distribution requests continue to show a demand for VCBF offerings; hence, we are expanding our programs to distribute even more books and hold monthly workshops year-round.

Total Project Budget: 166,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Rea Charitable Trust, Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, Walter Payne Foundation, Reading Is Fundamental, Longwood University, Longwood Center for Visual Arts, Moton Museum, etc.

Project Duration: 1 full calendar year
Geographical Area Served: Virginia: All regions with special emphasis on Central and Southside Virginia.
Age Group To Be Served: public, private, and homeschooled students grades K-12

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Charlotte
Contact Last Name: Farley
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 540-819-3015
Contact Email: grants@vachildrensbookfestival.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Best Foot Forward Foundation, Inc
Legal Name (if Different): N/A
Also Known As: N/A
Mailing Address: 9080 Kimberly Boulevard, Suite 10
City: Boca Raton
State: FL
Postal Code: 33434
Main Phone: 561-470-8300
Main Fax: 561-922-6459
Organization Website: www.bestfoot.org
Employer ID Number: 30-0598378
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/30/23
Requested Amount: $7,500

Project Title: Grounded for Life
Project Description:

The Best Foot Forward Foundation (BFF)’s
signature program, Grounded for Life proposes to address the academic needs of 125 foster youth from middle school to college by, 1) building long-term relationships with students and committed, caring adult advocates; 2) systemically monitoring students’ progress; 3) developing foster youth’s problem-solving and organizational skills; and 4) engaging with teachers, caregivers, case managers and community providers. Through year-round, one-on-one connections, Grounded for Life’s primary goal is to help each foster youth to create a plan for graduation and their future. Based on the evidence-based, drop-out prevention model Check and Connect, the program creates long-term relationships with the students through Graduation and College Coaches that provide weekly one-on-one academic and social support in schools and afterschool. They closely monitor school performance through academic assessments, comprehensive education plans, and individualized goals for each student’s success.

BFF’s weekly academic enrichment activities, tutoring, mentoring, credit recovery, and homework assistance. In 11th grade, students begin college-readiness programming where Coaches assist foster youth for their transition into college and connect them to post-secondary resources. BFF is specifically asking for funding to offset costs for students’ fees related to college preparation for SAT/ACTs, tutoring, and college applications, entrance exams, and scholarship applications. Only 4% of foster-youth graduate from college. BFF has a 75% college graduation rate.

BFF provides extensive wraparound support that include career readiness, student internships, resources to support the basic needs, housing and transportation. BFF’ mental health and wellness support connects students with behavioral health resources and mitigate issues that may escalate their anxiety and/or anger. For foster youth, traumatic experiences that resurface throughout their lives in the forms of behavioral issues, toxic stress, sporadic social connections, and learning difficulties that disrupt their educational success.

Total Project Budget: $844,853

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): City of Boca Raton, Jim Moran Foundation, Wanda and James M. Jr. and Moran Foundation, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, ChildNET, City of Boca Raton, Ibis Charities Foundation, Irving Stern Foundation, Mattfolk Family Foundation, Men Giving Back, Norman Shulevitz Foundation, WalMart Foundation, Make a Difference Foundation. Pending: Bank of America Foundation, Boca West Children’s Foundation, Hermanowski Family Foundation, Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Geneva Group Foundation, Boca Rio Foundation.

Project Duration: One-year; corresponding with Palm Beach County School District calendar
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County
Age Group To Be Served: 12-21 (middle and high school and college)

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Donna
Contact Last Name: Biase
Contact Title: Executive Director and Co-founder
Contact Phone: 561-470-8300
Contact Email: dbiase@bestfoot.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Virginia Children’s Book Festival
Legal Name (if Different): Eleven Pictures LTD
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1166 Morton Road
City: Keysville
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 23947
Main Phone: 4343901962
Main Fax:
Organization Website: tvachildrensbookfestival.org
Employer ID Number:
Organization Tax Status:

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date:
Requested Amount:

Project Title:
Project Description:

Total Project Budget:

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential):

Project Duration:
Geographical Area Served:
Age Group To Be Served:

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Contact Title:
Contact Phone:
Contact Email:

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Olney Friends School
Legal Name (if Different): Olney Friends School, Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 61830 Sandy Ridge Road
City: Barnesville
State: OH
Postal Code: 43713
Main Phone: 7404253655
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.olneyfriends.org/
Employer ID Number: 34-0235480
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/30/2023
Requested Amount: 4000

Project Title: Diverse Texts for Diverse Students
Project Description:

The Diverse Texts for Diverse Students project is a request that will support purchasing multiple copies of diverse texts for students in fiction and nonfiction categories. We endeavor to purchase a range of genres to meet students’ interests and lexile levels. Texts that reflect the diverse experiences of young people are essential for their literacy and identity development during this crucial period of adolescence. This project request is driven by our desire to ensure that students have access to texts that are “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” (Sims Bishop, 1990) which enable them to see the world around them and see themselves reflected in the works they read. Using this measure celebrates the cultures of our students, honors their diversity, and builds empathy.

Total Project Budget: 5000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Peoples Bank (Potential); Alumni giving (Committed)

Project Duration: 7/1/2023-6/30/2024
Geographical Area Served: Olney Friends School is composed of students in grades 9-12. Our school is headquartered in Barnesville, OH and serves the surrounding area. Our students are from the local Quaker community, as well as the greater region. The current group of international students have come to Olney from China, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, South Africa, Spain, and Uganda.
Age Group To Be Served: This project will target all students at Olney Friends School. The population ranges in age from 14-18. 54% of students are female and 46% are male. 61% of our target audience is international students who come from around the world to make Olney their home away from home.

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Katrina
Contact Last Name: Duffy
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: (828)200-9954
Contact Email: kduffy@olneyfriends.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Miami Dade College Foundation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Miami Book Fair
Mailing Address: 300 NE Second Ave. | Freedom Tower, 7th Floor
City: Miami
State: FL
Postal Code: 33132
Main Phone: 305.237.3258
Main Fax: 305.237.7890
Organization Website: MiamiBookFair.com and MiamiBookFairOnline.com
Employer ID Number: 59-6169745
Organization Tax Status: 501(3)(c)

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/30/23
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Generation Genius Authors (GGA)/Children’s Alley (CA) at Miami Book Fair
Project Description:

For nearly 40 years, Generation Genius Authors has been connecting students face-to-face with the authors behind the day’s most critically lauded and talked about books for children and youth, and its goal has remained the same: to cultivate literacy and learning while helping to rear the next generation of engaged world citizens. A variety of literary-focused activities – including book discussions, Q&As, and in-person meetings – is how we make that happen. Another unique component of GGA is Teen Press Conference, presented with the National Book Foundation. It’s a wonderful opportunity for high school-age GGA students to meet the “best of” authors of the year, and take on the role of journalists as they direct questions to the conference’s honoree panel.

We work closely with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in executing GGA, and to date have provided nearly 300,000 students with thought-provoking and exciting opportunities to explore book culture, while also giving them the opportunity to hear about different careers in the literary and creative industries and develop critical literacy skills outside of traditional learning environments. We make a particular effort to reach students in underserved areas whose families are considered low- or moderate-income. In 2022, 62% of GGA participants were from Title 1 schools and we gifted 6,252 free books to students.

Additionally, GGA participants are invited to explore the many offerings found at Children’s Alley, a much-anticipated facet of children’s programming at the Fair. This educational playground provides opportunities for learning fun through a comprehensive scope of hands-on, creative, and interactive activities. Approximately 9,000 children and families visited the Alley in 2022, where they enjoyed culturally diverse musical and theatrical performances, storytelling, craft and art activities, science programs, and more – and where an additional 1,850 free books were distributed to kids.

Total Project Budget: $270,319

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Including but not limited to: The Batchelor Foundation – $40,000; Meredith Ann Dasburg Foundation – $35,000; Frederick A. Deluca Foundation – $25,000; Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation – $20,000; Chapman Foundation – $15,000; Peacock Foundation – $15,000; Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation – $10,000; Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe – $10,000; Jackson Health Services – $10,000; Publix Super Markets Charities – $10,000; The Children’s Trust – $10,000; Cowles Charitable Trust – $5,000; Thomas B. Jelke Foundation – $5,000

Project Duration: November 12-19, 2023
Geographical Area Served: South Florida, including Miami-Dade (primary), Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Age Group To Be Served: GGA serves elementary, middle and high school students. Children’s Alley additionally serves toddler through high school age students.

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Corey
Contact Last Name: Lewis
Contact Title: Manager of Corporate Relations
Contact Phone: 305.237.7847
Contact Email: clewis2@mdc.edu

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Society for the Development of Arts & Humanities of Greater Newburyport
Legal Name (if Different): Firehouse Center for the Arts
Also Known As: n/a
Mailing Address: 1 Market Square
City: Newburyport
State: MA
Postal Code: 01950
Main Phone: (978) 499-9931
Main Fax: n/a
Organization Website: https://www.firehouse.org/
Employer ID Number: 04-2649373
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/30/23
Requested Amount: $4,000

Project Title: Youth Education Programming – CabarYAY and Glee Club
Project Description:

The Firehouse’s youth education programs are different from traditional theater education programs, which typically focus on the end product – a performance. Our education programs focus more on the process – in terms of the journey and growth – giving our students skills and tools that help them succeed not only onstage, but also in life.

Inspired in part by the popularity of the Glee television program, Glee Club is the Firehouse’s original school-vacation program of voice instruction and choreographed vocal performance. One of the only “cabaret” style programs in the area, this program has consistently sold out since it was launched in 2011. During this week-long intensive for ages 7-15, students learn about the basics of good breath support, posture, vocal production, dance, and performance techniques – all while having fun singing songs they love!

With the historical success of our Glee Education program, we’re expanding this year with Cabar-YAY – the Firehouse’s April vacation youth musical theater program. This fun, professional, all-inclusive program for kids ages 7 to 12 provides a unique cna valuable opportunity for hands-on exploration of the arts. During this week-long program, each child will have a chance to explore improvisation and theater games, and will directly experience the musical theater rehearsal process. They will receive education in music, acting, and dance all while working towards their final performance.

This year, we have seen an increase in scholarship applications as families continue to recover from COVID and the rising inflation costs.

Total Project Budget: $10,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $2,400 from the Edward and Winifred Moseley Foundation

Project Duration: Cabar-YAY: April 17-21; Glee Club: August 7-11
Geographical Area Served: Greater Newburyport Area
Age Group To Be Served: 7 to 15 years old

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: John
Contact Last Name: Moynihan
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (978) 499-9931
Contact Email: john@firehouse.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: WAHI Studio, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 240 Michigan Street
City: Lockport
State: New York
Postal Code: 14094
Main Phone: (716) 504-7539
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://www.wahistudio.org
Employer ID Number: 85-2853560
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: March 30, 2023
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Spring 2024 After School Art Clubs
Project Description:

WAHI Studio, Inc., (WAHI) is an inclusive, grassroots, trauma informed, community art studio dedicated to the proliferation of arts education, arts experiences, wellness, and community engagement. Our approach to creating art is therapeutic. Artist-teachers focus on self-expression, mental health, building community, and progress.
Despite decades of research indicating arts participation, education, and experiences promote community engagement, improve mental health, and improve academic performance and social behaviors, a longstanding trend of reducing or eliminating arts from public education begun in the 1970’s continues unabated. (Wali et al. 2002; Catterall et. al 2012). WAHI Studio After School Art Clubs program (ASAC) is the only program of its kind in Niagara County. The program includes 14 Weeks of art instruction per semester. ASAC currently partners with the Newfane, Barker, Lockport, Wilson, and Royalton-Hartland Central school districts. Thanks to our recent move to a new, larger facility, the program will expand to include additional Niagara County Schools, as well as expanding our reach beyond Niagara County to include schools from northern Erie County. In the fall of 2023/spring 2024 we will add Starpoint, Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Wheatfield, and North Tonawanda Central schools. Homeschooling students and students from private schools within these districts such as DeSales Catholic School in Lockport will also participate.
Students learn about and imitate specific art movements/artists such as Fauvism/Matisse. They experiment with a variety of methods of painting including methods that are both creative and stress releasing, such as drip and throw painting, and learn the properties and use of acrylics. Students experiment with ink types and applications, sculpting with sculpture-wire and plaster, and chalking including the grisaille method of painting commonly used at festivals. The program focus is always on self-expression, progress, and emotional health.
Classes accommodate 24 students per session with 3 sessions per week.

Total Project Budget: $39,160

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Grigg Lewis Foundation – $ 4,000, request pending; Garman Family Foundation – $25,000, request pending. Grigg Lewis Foundation and Garman Family Foundation are loyal supporters of WAHI Studio, Inc. After School Art Clubs. Our total request to the Grigg Lewis Foundation is $30,000, $26,000 of which will be used to support the Fall 2023 ASAC. The remaining $4,000 will help support the Spring 2024 ASAC. Funds from the Garman Family Foundation will also support the Spring 2024 ASAC.

Project Duration: January 2024 thru June 2024
Geographical Area Served: Western New York, including Niagara County and parts of northern Erie County
Age Group To Be Served: Middle School/High School Students

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Jessica
Contact Last Name: Tomaino
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (716) 504-7539
Contact Email: WAHIstudioart@gmail.com