Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Gray Matter Experience
Legal Name (if Different): The Gray Matter Experience
Also Known As: TGME
Mailing Address: 20n N Upper Wacker Drive, Ste 1200
City: Chicago
State: IL
Postal Code: 60606
Main Phone: 312-823-7207
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.graymatterexperience.com
Employer ID Number: 81-1936438
Organization Tax Status: 501 c 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: The Gray Matter Experience
Project Description:

The Gray Matter Experience addresses a critical gap in entrepreneurship by bridging the divide between aspiring young entrepreneurs and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. While entrepreneurship is a proven vehicle for economic mobility, marginalized communities remain systematically excluded due to limited access to education, mentorship, and financial resources. Without intervention, these disparities contribute to a cycle of economic inequity that stifles innovation and wealth creation. These challenges start early, as young people from underserved communities lack exposure to entrepreneurial pathways, limiting their ability to develop the skills, confidence, and networks needed to launch and sustain businesses.

While numerous institutions support adult entrepreneurs, resources for youth remain scarce. Traditional educational systems, constrained by outdated structures and limited funding, often fail to provide meaningful entrepreneurship education. As a result, youth with entrepreneurial ambitions—especially those in marginalized communities—lack the tools to transform their ideas into viable businesses. The absence of these opportunities not only limits individual potential but also perpetuates economic disparities, preventing entire communities from benefiting from the wealth-building power of entrepreneurship.

We combat this inequity by providing marginalized youth with the skills, resources, and mentorship needed to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Since 2016, we have served over 2,000 young people through personal development, business education, and venture creation. Our nationally recognized curriculum, designed by entrepreneurs and business leaders, fosters an entrepreneurial mindset; one that embraces innovation, leadership, and creative problem-solving. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and immersive experiences, we equip students with the confidence and capabilities to navigate the evolving labor market, whether they choose to start businesses, pursue careers, or become community changemakers.

Total Project Budget: 1,000,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 800,000

Project Duration: Annual
Geographical Area Served: Chicago metropolitan communities
Age Group To Be Served: 14-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Stacey
Contact Last Name: Pitts Caldwell
Contact Title: Sr Director of Development & Operations
Contact Phone: 312-823-7207
Contact Email: stacey@graymatterexperience.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community
Legal Name (if Different): Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community Inc
Also Known As: TBRS Community
Mailing Address: 122 Hunns Lake Road
City: STANFORDVILLE
State: NY
Postal Code: 12581
Main Phone: 8452643016
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.tbrsyndrome.org
Employer ID Number: 81-2216511
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: TBRS Youth Social and Mental Wellness Program
Project Description:

The TBRS Community is a patient-led nonprofit supporting families affected by Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome (TBRS), a rare genetic disorder identified in 2014. Initially, the condition was poorly understood, characterized only by intellectual disability, overgrowth, and distinctive facial features, leaving families isolated and uncertain about their children’s future.

Our organization united a global community of families, researchers, and clinicians, significantly expanding our understanding of TBRS. Our research revealed that, beyond intellectual disability, TBRS involves psychiatric disorders, severe anxiety, social isolation, behavioral challenges, cancer predisposition, seizures, and life-threatening cardiac conditions. Families impacted by rare diseases often experience profound isolation; local communities lack awareness, specialized resources are limited, and meaningful peer connections are scarce. These barriers substantially impact mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

To address this critical need, we seek $10,000 from the Hermanowski Family Foundation to launch the TBRS Youth Social and Mental Wellness Program. This initiative will offer professionally guided social-emotional workshops, therapeutic group sessions, and individualized support specifically designed for youth and young adults living with TBRS. Sessions will focus on emotional resilience, social integration, and coping strategies for anxiety, medical trauma, and isolation. The program will also equip caregivers with essential tools to support their children’s emotional well-being and peer relationships.

Programs addressing the unique emotional challenges faced by youth with rare diseases are uncommon yet transformative, fostering resilience, reducing isolation, and significantly improving life quality. With your support, we can ensure young individuals affected by TBRS gain the emotional strength and community connections they need to thrive, overcoming barriers too often defining rare-disease experiences.

Total Project Budget: $20,000

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

Project Duration: 1 year (10/1/2025 – 9/30/2026)
Geographical Area Served: Families across the United States
Age Group To Be Served: Focus on Birth to 21 (and their caregivers)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Jill
Contact Last Name: Kiernan
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 845 264 3016
Contact Email: jill@tbrsyndrome.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Rock Recovery
Legal Name (if Different): Rock Recovery, Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1901 Fory Myer Drive, Suite 1104
City: Arlington
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 22209
Main Phone: (571) 255-9906
Main Fax: (413) 683-6522
Organization Website: https://www.rockrecoveryed.org/
Employer ID Number: 26-3931272
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Virtual Group Therapy Expansion for Virginia Teens Struggling with Eating Disorder and Body Image Issues
Project Description:

Rock Recovery (Rock) exists to make life-saving eating disorder treatment and support accessible for all. Since its founding in 2009, the organization has served over 500 individuals with life-saving eating disorder treatment and provided an additional 20,000+ community members with eating disorder education.

The National Eating Disorders Association reports over 30 million Americans are battling an eating disorder; yet, less than 20% receive treatment due to barriers of cost, accessibility and stigma. A 2020 study led by Harvard and Deloitte found that eating disorder treatment costs about $64.7 billion per year, with families covering more than $23 billion of the cost. Rock requests the support of the Hermanowski Foundation in helping to expand the organization’s current in-person teen therapy programming virtually throughout Virginia, providing adolescents with the support and treatment necessary to help them grow into confident, healthy adults.

A 2022 NBC report titled, “The kids are not OK.” revealed that eating disorder-related visits more than doubled in teens under 17 in the last five years. However, early intervention initiatives provided within the first three years of onset of eating disorder symptomatology may reduce delays in treatment-seeking (Koreshe, E., Paxton, S., Miskovic-Wheatley, J. et al., 2023).

In response to many community requests, Rock launched its first line of eating disorder therapy programs specifically for teens in-person in Arlington, VA in January 2023. Teen Bridge to Life is a weekly therapy group that serves up to 10 teens each week, designed to help adolescents aged 14-18 become healthier, more confident, and navigate eating disorder recovery, body acceptance, identity development, and more.

Rock’s plans to expand and offer a weekly virtual therapy group to serve eight additional teens throughout Virginia each week, providing more adolescents with Rock’s transformative eating disorder therapy programming, as well as a supportive community of peers.

Total Project Budget: $15,905

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Charles and Joan Hermanowski Foundation – $5,000 potential

Project Duration: To begin by 2026 and exist ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Virginia
Age Group To Be Served: 14 – 18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Mikayla
Contact Last Name: Bryant
Contact Title: Development and Communications Manager
Contact Phone: (828) 313-7602
Contact Email: mikayla@rockrecoveryed.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Hunger Fight
Legal Name (if Different): Hunger Fight Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 2935 Dawn Rd.
City: Jacksonville
State: Florida
Postal Code: 32207
Main Phone: 4075160384
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.hungerfight.org
Employer ID Number: 46-1338834
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 25th, 2025
Requested Amount: 7,500

Project Title: Feed the Backpacks
Project Description:

Hunger Fight’s Feed the Backpacks initiative is a vital program dedicated to combating childhood food insecurity by providing nutritious, shelf-stable meals to children who rely on free or reduced-price school lunches. Many of these children face hunger over weekends and extended school breaks, going up to 65 hours every weekend, without access to consistent, healthy meals. This challenge becomes even more severe during summer months when school meal programs are unavailable.
Feed the Backpacks bridges this critical gap, ensuring children have the nourishment they need to stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn. When students receive these meals, they return to school well-fed, rested, and prepared for success. Schools and community partners consistently report measurable improvements among participating students, including increased attendance, better concentration, higher energy levels, and improved academic performance.
Hunger Fight works closely with schools and community organizations to distribute meal pouches directly to children in need. Our Feed the Backpacks program is both scalable and sustainable, allowing us to expand based on demand and community support. By leveraging partnerships with corporate sponsors, grantors, and volunteers, we efficiently fund, assemble, and distribute thousands of meal pouches each month. Our cost-effective model ensures that 95.4% of every dollar donated directly supports program services, maximizing our impact and reaching as many children as possible.
With additional funding, Hunger Fight can increase meal production, expand to more schools, and strengthen partnerships, ensuring that no child goes hungry over the weekend. By investing in Feed the Backpacks, you are investing in the future of children and communities, helping to break the cycle of food insecurity, allow children to focus on their dreams and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Total Project Budget: 2,290,528.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): A & L Irrigation Advent Lutheran ADW Construction CEMEX Christ’s Church of Fleming Island Clay Utility Authority Coastal Health Comcast Concrete Specialists TNT Doctors Lake Marina Eckert & Associates First Florida Credit Union Journey Church Lake Asbury Baptist Lance Maxwell Plumbing Legacy in Action Linder Industrial Machine & Fabrication New Beginnings Orange Park Pres River Christian Church VyStar (Branan Field) VyStar (103rd) VyStar (Oakleaf) VyStar (Middleburg) VyStar (Orange Park) VyStar (Chafee Rd) Camarda Financial Pinnacle Financial Grace Anglican Church Wind River Environmental Baptist Health Clay Challenge Enterprises North Florida Pediatrics Asbury Automotive Fresh Jax

Project Duration: Year Round
Geographical Area Served: Florida, Georgia
Age Group To Be Served: 5-18 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Christine
Contact Last Name: Taylor
Contact Title: Grant Director
Contact Phone: 4075160384
Contact Email: chirstinet@hungerfight.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Rise Above Performing Arts Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Rise Above
Mailing Address: 3501 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 1105
City: Sarasota
State: Florida
Postal Code: 34239
Main Phone: 941-702-4747
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://riseabovearts.com/
Employer ID Number: 47-258-2525
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Rising to the Occasion: A Stage Transformation Initiative for Rise Above Performing Arts
Project Description:

The mission of Rise Above Performing Arts is to provide a rich, engaging theatrical learning experience for local youth regardless of their background, gender or socioeconomic status and to increase accessibility for these students to benefit from the performing arts at no cost to their families.
To continue fostering creativity, education, and community engagement, Rise Above Performing Arts proposes an updated stage to increase safety, to enhance performance quality, and to provide a more versatile and inspiring space for our performers and for the audiences who support them. This modernization aligns with our mission to empower youth through the arts and strengthen our connection with the community.
Our current stage, while functional, lacks the necessary infrastructure to support the growing needs of our productions. Challenges include outdated lighting and sound systems, limited backstage space, and the need to increase safety measures. Addressing these issues will improve the quality of performances, ensure the safety of our youth, and create a more professional environment for their artistic growth.

Total Project Budget: $16,500

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Private donors, foundational grants

Project Duration: This capital project is to be completed as soon as possible, dependent on contractor availability and current production schedule
Geographical Area Served: Sarasota, FL and surrounding area
Age Group To Be Served: Our organization serves local school-aged youth

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Chelsea
Contact Last Name: Crabtree
Contact Title: Donor Relations, Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 5403361014
Contact Email: chelsea@riseabovearts.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Vanessa Behan
Legal Name (if Different): Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 2230 E Sprague Ave
City: Spokane
State: Washington
Postal Code: 99202
Main Phone: 509.598.7490
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.vanessabehan.org/
Employer ID Number: 91-1196575
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Emergency Respite Care
Project Description:

Vanessa Behan provides a safe haven for children from birth to 12 years old for up to 72 hours when families are overwhelmed or experiencing crisis. We seek funding to sustain this critical safety net for vulnerable families.

Our organization honors Vanessa Behan, a 2-year-old Spokane girl who died from child abuse injuries. As one of the few licensed crisis nurseries in Washington State, we are focused on preventing what happened to Vanessa from ever happening again.

Over 90% of the families we serve experience poverty, 56% of care requests come from single-parent households, and 21% of families are unhoused or in transitional housing. Research shows when family stress exceeds coping capacity, it can lead to child abuse and neglect. Prolonged stress becomes toxic, interfering with brain development and affecting a child’s long-term wellbeing.

We come alongside caregivers during moments of stress and crisis, providing respite so they never parent in ways they don’t want to. While children are in our care, we provide a supportive environment that promotes healthy child development, social-emotional learning, and school-readiness. Harvard University reports that 90% of brain development occurs before the age of 5, demonstrating the power of early intervention to change trajectories for vulnerable children.

In 2024, we provided 86,100 hours of safe care across 7,241 child visits. We currently turn away 36% of care requests due to staffing limitations, and this funding will help us expand our budget to meet this critical gap.

At Vanessa Behan, we are planting seeds of resilience that grow with children, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with strength. Though we may not witness every outcome, we trust in the transformative potential of early intervention—each moment of care and connection is an opportunity for a brighter future.

Total Project Budget: $2,388,736

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Vanessa Behan is grateful for the generous support of individuals, businesses, foundations, financial institutions, and partners who support our mission of keeping kids safe and strengthening families. The top 5 sources of funding are: $609,823 from a private individual; $150,000 from Greater Spokane Golf; $100,000 from Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation; $100,000 from a private individual; $100,000 from a private individual

Project Duration: January 2026 – December 2026
Geographical Area Served: Inland Northwest
Age Group To Be Served: Children between the ages of birth and 12 years old.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Karlee
Contact Last Name: Ludwig
Contact Title: Grants & Stewardship Coordinator
Contact Phone: 509.340.0486
Contact Email: karlee.ludwig@vanessabehan.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Beyond the Bars
Legal Name (if Different): Beyond the Bars
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 3500 Lancaster
City: Philadelphia
State: PA
Postal Code: 19104
Main Phone: 267-225-7247
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.beyondthebarsmusic.org
Employer ID Number: 47-5225752
Organization Tax Status: 501c3. Nonprofit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/31/2025
Requested Amount: 5000

Project Title: Running an Ecosystem of Support for Youth Impacted by Violence
Project Description:

Beyond the Bars’ Ecosystem of Support is a citywide music education and youth development initiative that uses music as a tool for healing, self-expression, community building, and violence prevention. Grounded in the belief that every young person deserves access to creative spaces and caring adults, the Ecosystem of Support operates in over 55 locations across Philadelphia—including schools, community centers, trauma clinics, shelters, and recreation centers—to meet youth wherever they are.

The program is student-driven, community-based, and rooted in anti-racist, trauma-informed practices. Through hands-on music programming that includes songwriting, recording, production, and performance, youth not only develop musical skills but also build self-efficacy, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging. Facilitators are trained musicians and mentors, many of whom come from the communities they serve. Each site is supported by a robust system of check-ins, family engagement, and wraparound resource connections to ensure youth are holistically supported.

A core innovation of the program is the Student Teacher pathway, where experienced youth become peer educators, mentors, and emerging leaders. These student teachers help lead classes, support younger participants, and often pursue careers in education or music. The program has activated over 45 music lab spaces across the city, refurbished hundreds of instruments and computers, and provided thousands of youth with sustained opportunities for growth and leadership.

Beyond the Bars’ Ecosystem of Support is not only a music program—it is a movement to transform how youth are engaged, valued, and supported in our city. By investing in creative expression and affirming relationships, the program actively interrupts cycles of violence and divestment, offering young people pathways to healing, leadership, and lifelong success.

Total Project Budget: 800000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 790000

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: Philadelphia
Age Group To Be Served: 10-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Matthew
Contact Last Name: Kerr
Contact Title: Co-Executive Director
Contact Phone: 267-225-7247
Contact Email: matthew.kerr@beyondthebarsmusic.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Reflections of Trinity
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Reflections
Mailing Address: 4037 Austell Powder Springs Road
City: Powder Springs
State: GA
Postal Code: 30127
Main Phone: 7702226511
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.reflectionsoftrinity.org
Employer ID Number: 26-1871591
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: School Backpack Program: Ensuring Atlanta’s Children are well fed through the weekend
Project Description:

Reflections’ mission is to meet the basic needs of impoverished individuals in crisis with food and clothing and through doing so, offer additional resources and support to improve the trajectory of their lives. Reflections operates a food pantry in Cobb county serving 85,000 individuals in 35 GA counties, a Benefits Office that allows individuals to sign up for multiple state benefit programs at one time, with the guidance of our team, and a Senior Food Program delivers food each Tuesday directly to eight HUD (subsidized housing for low-income) senior citizen communities.

Reflections of Trinity is respectfully seeking a charitable gift of $10,000 to support our Student Backpack Program that provides students from five area Title 1 schools with weekend meal supplies to take home. On a weekly basis, Reflections sends 10 lb. boxes of food home in the backpacks of at-risk students at each of the schools – providing 3,878 meals weekly. Through support from the Hermanowski Foundation, students will be provided with healthy food items to ensure that each family has several days’ worth of nutrition meals. Students’ families will have access to Reflections’ Benefit Office for assistance with state benefit programs – supporting families on their path to self-sufficiency. This food assistance will relieve stress and financial burden, allowing families to access other social service resources via our referrals such as affordable childcare, housing support, transportation alternatives, aid for job seekers, and links to healthcare services to help each family work towards self-sufficiency.

The conservative estimate of students served each week through all of Reflections’ programs is over 400 children and youth.

Total Project Budget: 401233

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): rances Wood Wilson – $5,000 (Committed) Ida Alice Ryan Foundation – $5,000 (Committed) Cobb ESP – $4,000 (Committed) Publix – $5,000 (Committed) Genuine Parts – $5,000 (Committed) In Kind Donation Value (Food) – $4,420,319

Project Duration: Reflections’ programming is ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Cobb County, Georgia
Age Group To Be Served: elementary school aged children

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Laurie
Contact Last Name: Wong
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 7702226511
Contact Email: reflectionsoftrinity@gmail.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: New York Theatre Ballet
Legal Name (if Different): The Dance Ring Inc.
Also Known As: New York Theatre Ballet // NYTB
Mailing Address: 131 E 10th Street, 2nd floor
City: New York
State: NY
Postal Code: 10003
Main Phone: (212) 679-0401
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://nytb.org/
Employer ID Number: 13-2903944
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: NYC Youth Community Engagement & Arts Education Expansion
Project Description:

New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) respectfully requests $10,000 from The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support the expansion of its NYC Youth Community Engagement and Arts Education Programs. Over the last two years, NYTB’s community engagement programs for children ages 4-18 have gone from reaching 100 students annually to over 2500 so far in season 2024-25. Now serving a wider constituency, NYTB is working to form a functional pipeline between its three youth-focused arts outreach and education programs, to introduce and train underserved youth in classical dance across NYC.

These three programs include 1) NYTB’s 36 year-old “LIFT Program,” providing tuition scholarships and personal mentorship for homeless and home-insecure children in NYC shelters; 2) “Between the Acts,” bringing accessible talks, workshops, and school matinee performances to new-to-dance children; and 3) “Robotics in Motion,” introducing ballet through robotics and STEM collaborations to low income middle schoolers.

Current NYC organizational partners for this work include; Lutheran Social Services, K-8 Public & Charter Schools, Robofun, George Jackson Academy, Cornelia Connelly Center, Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, and the 14th Street Y. NYTB will grow its list of partners in 2026 with a focus on lower Manhattan and the Bronx.

The LIFT, Between the Acts and Robotics in Motion programs are designed to make ballet available, interesting, and relevant to new-to-dance youth across NYC. It provides extremely underserved children, including students from homeless shelters and NYCHA public housing, with the opportunity to excel and discover the ways in which discipline and study in one arena can enrich their abilities in all areas. Over the long term with this program expansion, NYTB will create a sense of belonging in classical dance for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds and grow new interest in ballet within their communities.

Total Project Budget: $220,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Simons Foundation (Committed) Howard Gilman Foundation (Committed) NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (Committed) NYSCA (Committed) Macy’s Inc. (Committed) Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation (Committed) Dreyfus Foundation (Committed) Achelis & Bodman Foundation (Committed) TPG Corporate Sponsorship (Potential) Scherman Foundation (Potential) William Talbott Hillman Foundation (Potential) The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation (Potential) Altman Foundation (Potential) Pinkerton Foundation (Potential)

Project Duration: January 2026 – November 2026
Geographical Area Served: New York City (focus on lower Manhattan & the Bronx)
Age Group To Be Served: Children ages 4-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sophie
Contact Last Name: Blue
Contact Title: Managing Director
Contact Phone: (203) 524-6204
Contact Email: sblue@nytb.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: New York Theatre Ballet
Legal Name (if Different): The Dance Ring Inc.
Also Known As: New York Theatre Ballet // NYTB
Mailing Address: 131 E 10th Street, 2nd floor
City: New York
State: NY
Postal Code: 10003
Main Phone: (212) 679-0401
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://nytb.org/
Employer ID Number: 13-2903944
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 31, 2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: NYC Youth Community Engagement & Arts Education Expansion
Project Description:

New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) respectfully requests $10,000 from The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support the expansion of its NYC Youth Community Engagement and Arts Education Programs. Over the last two years, NYTB’s community engagement programs for children ages 4-18 have gone from reaching 100 students annually to over 2500 so far in season 2024-25. Now serving a wider constituency, NYTB is working to form a functional pipeline between its three youth-focused arts outreach and education programs, to introduce and train underserved youth in classical dance across NYC.

These three programs include 1) NYTB’s 36 year-old “LIFT Program,” providing tuition scholarships and personal mentorship for homeless and home-insecure children in NYC shelters; 2) “Between the Acts,” bringing accessible talks, workshops, and school matinee performances to new-to-dance children; and 3) “Robotics in Motion,” introducing ballet through robotics and STEM collaborations to low income middle schoolers.

Current NYC organizational partners for this work include; Lutheran Social Services, K-8 Public & Charter Schools, Robofun, George Jackson Academy, Cornelia Connelly Center, Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, and the 14th Street Y. NYTB will grow its list of partners in 2026 with a focus on lower Manhattan and the Bronx.

The LIFT, Between the Acts and Robotics in Motion programs are designed to make ballet available, interesting, and relevant to new-to-dance youth across NYC. It provides extremely underserved children, including students from homeless shelters and NYCHA public housing, with the opportunity to excel and discover the ways in which discipline and study in one arena can enrich their abilities in all areas. Over the long term with this program expansion, NYTB will create a sense of belonging in classical dance for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds and grow new interest in ballet within their communities.

Total Project Budget: $220,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Simons Foundation (Committed) Howard Gilman Foundation (Committed) NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (Committed) NYSCA (Committed) Macy’s Inc. (Committed) Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation (Committed) Dreyfus Foundation (Committed) Achelis & Bodman Foundation (Committed) TPG Corporate Sponsorship (Potential) Scherman Foundation (Potential) William Talbott Hillman Foundation (Potential) The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation (Potential) Altman Foundation (Potential) Pinkerton Foundation (Potential)

Project Duration: January 2026 – November 2026
Geographical Area Served: New York City (focus on lower Manhattan & the Bronx)
Age Group To Be Served: Children ages 4-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sophie
Contact Last Name: Blue
Contact Title: Managing Director
Contact Phone: (203) 524-6204
Contact Email: sblue@nytb.org