Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
Organization Name: Fast Feet Running and Athletics, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Fast Feet
Mailing Address: 67 West Street, Suite 520
City: Brooklyn
State: New York
Postal Code: 11222
Main Phone: 917-216-8477
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.fastfeetnyc.com
Employer ID Number: 83-3696610
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3 non profit
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: February 25, 2024
Requested Amount: $10,000
Project Title: Adaptive Running Program for Children with Disabilities
Project Description:
Fast Feet seeks funding from the Charles And Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support the continued growth of its adaptive running programs serving children with disabilities in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Detroit and Miami.
Fast Feet centers on our adaptive running program, providing an inclusive and supportive team environment where participants meet once a week over an eight week season. Supported by our amazing team of coaches, each athlete learns the fundamentals of track-and-field (including warm-ups, drills, sprints, relays) as well as how to be a supportive team player and community member. To evaluate the success of our program, coaches record and track data regarding each child’s progress across eight physical benchmarks.
The goal of our program is to give children with disabilities the opportunity to train, work out and race. To ensure each individual child’s needs are properly supported, our curriculum consists of multiple pathways that allow for differentiation as needed. We also pair our athletes with volunteers who provide training assistance and positive encouragement.
At the end of each season, we register our participants in a local track meet or race. This opportunity, in addition to rooting weekly practices in a concrete goal our athletes can work towards, also leads to an incredible milestone; many of our participants participate in their first race, ever, cheered on by friends and family at the finish line. Moreover, our participation in local track meets and races contribute to changing the narrative within the greater running community as non-disabled participants bear witness to the incredible grit and determination that each of our youth athletes embody.
Our program is unique in that we intentionally promote diverse social interactions for our participants. Approximately 10% of our athletes do not have a disability. Far too often, children with disabilities are restricted to segregated environments grouped with children who have similar needs, lacking positive peer-to-peer interactions with neurotypical children. Our intentionality in creating inclusive and diverse learning environments positively contributes to healthy social development for all children.
To complement our adaptive running programs, we now offer a variety of in-person classes at our Brooklyn community space, including yoga, strength and conditioning, and social skills workshops, providing athletes with diverse opportunities to stay active, build confidence, and connect with peers. We also host virtual nutrition education workshops for our families to promote healthy eating habits, provide practical meal planning tips, and support overall well-being for children with disabilities.
Our inclusive running program plays a transformative role in shaping the mindset of children with disabilities, instilling in them the belief that they can reach unlimited possibilities. When kids with disabilities participate in sports alongside their peers, barriers dissolve, and a sense of belonging emerges.
Total Project Budget: 566,500
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Edelweiss Foundation, Aaron Judge ALL Rise – Mini Grant, The William & Patricia Robbins Charitable Fund, Ichigo Foundation, Gatorade Equity in Sports
Project Duration: One year
Geographical Area Served: New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston, Miami
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 5-18
Contact Information
Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Samantha
Contact Last Name: Laserson
Contact Title: Director of Development & Communications
Contact Phone: 9172168477
Contact Email: samantha@fastfeetnyc.com