Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Valerie’s House
Legal Name (if Different): Valerie’s House
Also Known As: Valerie’s House
Mailing Address: PO Box 1955
City: Fort Myers
State: Florida
Postal Code: 33902
Main Phone: 2392045804
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.valerieshouse.org
Employer ID Number: 47-3701240
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/16/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Expanding Peer Grief Support for Kids in Southwest Florida
Project Description:

Valerie’s House respectfully requests support from The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to provide grief support for children who have experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. Valerie’s House is one of the very few cost-free, comprehensive grief support centers for children in this region of Florida and now serves families in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties, supporting more than 1,300 individuals each year.
Valerie’s House provides peer grief support for children ages 5 to 18, along with their caregivers. Unaddressed grief can lead to a number of long-term struggles such as depression, anxiety, academic struggles, and social isolation. Valerie’s House addresses these risks by offering the children a safe and structured environment where they can process their emotions, build coping skills and connect with other peers who understand their experience.
Families attend their assigned peer grief support group twice a month in the evening. Each night begins with a provided meal and playtime for families before splitting off into age-appropriate groups. In group, trained volunteers guide children through conversations about grief, followed by a hand-on activity that allows children to express feelings that words may not convey. Activities are intentionally designed to help children honor and remember their loved one, while reinforcing that their emotions surrounding the death are valid.
In a recent activity, facilitators asked questions to children such as “what was your person’s favorite color?” and “what was your favorite thing to do together?” Children then selected beads that symbolized their answers and created memory bracelets. Each child also chose a bead for every other participant, reinforcing the message that no one grieves alone at Valerie’s House.
Funding will allow Valerie’s House to welcome additional families, purchase grief activity supplies and therapeutic items and strengthen overall capacity, ensuring all services continue to remain cost-free.

Total Project Budget: 90000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): United Way Lee, Hendry & Glades County, United Way Charlotte County, private and individual foundations. Valerie’s House did recieve state funding for this year but that funding ends in June.

Project Duration: Families are welcome to stay with Valerie’s House as long as they feel they need to. Groups run on the school calendar year. Most families stay for two years, Valerie’s House will never end the program until it’s on the families terms.
Geographical Area Served: Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties in Southwest Florida
Age Group To Be Served: 5-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Lauren
Contact Last Name: Bernard
Contact Title: Grants & Communication Coordinator
Contact Phone: 239-922-4446
Contact Email: grants@valerieshouse.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Alliance for Women and Children
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1350 N 10th St.
City: Abilene
State: Texas
Postal Code: 79601
Main Phone: 3256775321
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://allianceforwomenandchildren.org/
Employer ID Number: 75-1013058
Organization Tax Status: Non-profit 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2-16-2026
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Project Title: Transforming Lives Through Art, Music, and Education: The A-Care Mini Clubs Initiative
Project Description:

The Alliance for Women and Children is dedicated to empowering women and children by offering quality programs that foster bright futures. Our licensed after-school care program, A-Care, provides a safe and nurturing environment where children can flourish. We share the Hermanowski Family Foundation’s mission to transform children’s lives through art and education by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential.

Many children, especially from low-income families, lack access to enriching after-school activities that support holistic development beyond academics. Most parents cannot afford hobby supplies at home. Without these outlets, children miss vital opportunities to explore interests, build skills, and grow. This gap is urgent for families who depend on after-school care for supervision and support.

A-Care’s Mini Clubs address this need by offering daily enrichment activities around specific interests, including arts and crafts, STEM projects, life skills workshops, and music. These clubs foster creativity and teamwork in a loving environment. For our art clubs, we partner with the local Grace Museum and Young Audiences for instructors. Funding will enable us to purchase essential art supplies, including origami paper, fabrics, stamps, and paint, as well as a diverse collection of musical instruments from around the world, enriching cultural exploration and creative expression. Instruments such as African hand drums, Latin American maracas and shakers, Indian handbells, and East Asian gongs and chimes. Through art, students explore visual storytelling and pattern-making activities; in music, they learn rhythm, collaboration, and global traditions.

Serving children in grades pre-K through 5th, our Mini Clubs provide a safe space where children build confidence and develop new skills. The Alliance has earned the trust of families and the community, serving over 800 children across the Big Country region of Texas.

Total Project Budget: $982,567.55

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Although we have support from a variety of sources for A-Care (about 80% of the overall project budget), including earned revenue from fee offset, we do not yet have funds dedicated to mini-clubs’ art supplies. These are enrichment activities, and we seek new funds for them every year. The items we wish to purchase from your support should last us 4-5 years!

Project Duration: 2027-the following year, if awarded
Geographical Area Served: The Big Country Region of Texas, primarily Taylor County, Texas
Age Group To Be Served: Pre-K-5th grade

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Miss
Contact First Name: LaQuiera
Contact Last Name: Gantt
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 3256775321
Contact Email: laquiera@afwconline.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Nature Center at Greenburgh
Legal Name (if Different): Nunataks, Ltd. DBA Greenburgh Nature Center
Also Known As: Greenburgh Nature Center
Mailing Address: 99 Dromore Rd
City: Scarsdale
State: NY
Postal Code: 10583
Main Phone: 914-723-3470
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://naturecentergb.org/
Employer ID Number: 23-7454025
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/16/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Volunteer Program Support
Project Description:

The Volunteer Program is a vital part of the Nature Center’s operations, helping us inspire curiosity, respect, and action for both our local environment and the greater natural world. We welcome dedicated adults, high school and college students, school and outside clubs, and community groups to assist with a variety of activities year-round. Opportunities include animal husbandry, recycling and composting, support at weekend and community events, special projects, and more.

The benefits of the Volunteer Program are profoundly transformative, especially for our volunteers with special needs. In addition to gaining professional experience in environmental and animal sciences, our volunteers build their self-confidence, public presentation skills, an understanding of responsibility, and, more importantly, a sense of pride and joy in their work. Each volunteer begins their journey at the same starting line, as we proudly sustain a work environment that is inclusive, warm, and supportive for all.

Our volunteers are an integral part of our mission and daily operations, assisting with the care for over 100 animal ambassadors, supporting education programs, and greeting the 30,000+ visitors we welcome annually. With support from the Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation, we can strengthen and expand the Volunteer Program, ensuring its growth and lasting impact for years to come while providing every volunteer with proper training, uniforms, and the tools and knowledge they need to contribute safely, confidently, and successfully.

Total Project Budget: $56,260

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 4 pending grants (The Max & Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, the NY Community Trust Westchester, George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation, and YPIE Spiral Giving Grant)

Project Duration: One year
Geographical Area Served: Westchester County & the surrounding areas
Age Group To Be Served: All ages (14 & up)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Rosa
Contact Last Name: Van Zandt
Contact Title: Development Manager
Contact Phone: 914-813-1831
Contact Email: rosa@naturecentergb.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Music Resource Center- Cincinnati
Legal Name (if Different): Music Resource Center- Cincinnati
Also Known As:
Mailing Address:
City: Cincinnati
State: Ohio
Postal Code: 45206
Main Phone: (513) 834-8304
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://mrccinci.org/
Employer ID Number: 31-0537178
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/16/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Amplifying Teen Voices Through Music Access
Project Description:

The Music Resource Center (MRC), powered by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, seeks $10,000 to expand equitable access to high-quality music education for teens from under-resourced communities. Located in East Walnut Hills, MRC provides year-round, after-school programming that combines individualized music lessons, digital production, songwriting, studio recording, and live performance opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment.

While Cincinnati has a wealth of arts organizations that offer educational programs for its youth, most of these programs have associated fees that create barriers to participation. In a city where 19% of the total population and 33% of children are living at or below the poverty line, paid arts programming is inherently exclusionary.

At the MRC, for less than $10 per month, teens gain access to professional-grade instruments, recording equipment, mentorship from working musicians, meals, and transportation support, removing financial and logistical barriers that often prevent participation in arts education. Funding will support subsidized memberships, instructional staffing, outreach expansion within Cincinnati Public Schools, and performance opportunities through quarterly Student Sampler showcases.
Participants engage in structured programming up to five days per week during the school year and through immersive summer camps. Teens produce original music, collaborate in bands, record in professional studios, and perform for live audiences, building both artistic skill and social-emotional growth. Evaluation includes attendance tracking, instructor assessments, and Hello Insight surveys measuring resilience, goal setting, and belonging.

This investment will allow MRC to serve approximately 150 + teens annually, expand outreach to new neighborhoods, YMCA branches, and ensure that students who might otherwise lack access to music education can develop confidence, discipline, creativity, and leadership skills. By amplifying teen voices, MRC strengthens academic engagement, community connection, and long-term opportunity.

Total Project Budget: $337,149.73

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $2,000 Les Paul (Pending), $10,000 PNC Bank (Pending), $150,000 Robert & Adele Schiff Foundation (Annual Renewal Anticipated)

Project Duration: January 1, 2027 – October 31, 2027
Geographical Area Served: The Music Resource Center serves youth throughout the City of Cincinnati, with a primary focus on neighborhoods surrounding East Walnut Hills, Evanston, Avondale, Walnut Hills, Bond Hill, West End, and other historically under-resourced communities. As part of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati network, the program also connects with teens from surrounding Hamilton County communities through nearby YMCA branches, expanding access across Greater Cincinnati.
Age Group To Be Served: Grades 7–12; approximately ages 12–18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Miss
Contact First Name: Ania
Contact Last Name: Cosby
Contact Title: Director of Development & Grants
Contact Phone: 513-592-1419
Contact Email: acosbycincinnatiymca@gmail.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Memphis Food Pantry
Legal Name (if Different): The Memphis Church Inc
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 7400 Cordova Club Dr E
City: Cordova
State: TN
Postal Code: 38018
Main Phone: 901-509-3871
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://thememphischurch.org/671-2/
Employer ID Number: 62-1608435
Organization Tax Status: 501C3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/13/2026
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Memphis Food Pantry
Project Description:

The Memphis Food Pantry provides free, barrier free access to food, clothing, and essential items for individuals and families experiencing poverty and food insecurity in Memphis, Tennessee. The program operates through weekly food and clothing distributions, a 24 hour community refrigerator stocked daily, and seasonal initiatives such as holiday food boxes and a Christmas toy store. No identification or paperwork is required, ensuring that anyone in need can receive assistance with dignity and without barriers.

Memphis faces significant economic hardship, with many households struggling due to low wage employment, rising living costs, and limited access to affordable housing and transportation. The Memphis Food Pantry directly addresses these challenges by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food for children, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals. Each year, the pantry serves approximately 1,200 unique families, including more than 650 families monthly and 625 children. In 2024, the pantry rescued 938,143 pounds of food, helping redirect quality food to families who need it most.

This program combines rescued food with purchased fresh items such as produce, dairy, and proteins to ensure balanced nutrition. By maintaining reliable weekly services and around the clock access through the community refrigerator, the Memphis Food Pantry provides immediate hunger relief while supporting long term household stability. Through compassionate service and community driven support, the program strengthens food security and overall well being for vulnerable populations across Memphis, Tennessee.

Total Project Budget: $161,500

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Walmart – $3,500 Received, Adient Foundation – $10,000 Requested, GuideOne Foundation – $10,000 Requested, DanPaul Foundation – $10,000 Requested, Enterprise Mobility – $10,000 Requested, Ameriprise Financial – $10,000 Requested

Project Duration: 1 Year
Geographical Area Served: Memphis, Tennessee
Age Group To Be Served: All ages

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Robert
Contact Last Name: Jacques
Contact Title: Board Member
Contact Phone: 9015093871
Contact Email: tmclgsfundraising@gmail.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 435 VAN RAALTE AVE
City: Holland
State: MI
Postal Code: 49423
Main Phone: 7738794525
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://bgch.org/
Employer ID Number: 38-2756671
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: February 13, 2026
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Pillars of Health for At-Risk Youth
Project Description:

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland (BGCGH) is a cornerstone of youth development in Holland, Michigan. Each year, we serve more than 2,000 local young people providing safe, structured, and opportunity-rich environments during the critical hours outside of school. Our work strengthens families, supports schools, and builds a more vibrant community by ensuring that every child (especially those facing barriers) has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Our impact is driven by four interconnected pillars: Academic Success, Character & Leadership, Health & Wellbeing, and Life & Workforce Readiness.

Through Academic Success, youth receive daily tutoring, homework help, and high-yield learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction and build confidence. Local data show that 95% of participating members believe they can do well in school, and 86% are on track to graduate.

Under Character & Leadership, young people set goals, serve their community, and develop integrity and responsibility. In fact, 91% of members report setting goals for themselves, and 83% believe they can make a positive difference in Holland.

Our Health & Wellbeing pillar ensures youth have access to safe spaces, physical activity, and social-emotional learning that supports overall well-being. 75% of members report actively managing their emotions in healthy ways.

Finally, through Life & Workforce Readiness, youth explore careers, build financial literacy, and connect their interests to future pathways. Eighty-two percent know what career they want to pursue.

To ensure access, BGCGH charges only $5/year for membership. We are developing confident, capable young leaders who strengthen the future of our community, and we need financial support to keep it up!

Total Project Budget: 3,374,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Sustainable support from local corporations, fund raising events, and national sponsors like Taco Bell and Panda Express.

Project Duration: September 1 2025 – August 31 2026
Geographical Area Served: The town of Holland Michigan and surrounding communities
Age Group To Be Served: 6-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Taylor
Contact Last Name: Norris
Contact Title: Grants Assistant
Contact Phone: 7738794525
Contact Email: tnorris@bgch.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: St Joseph the Provider School
Legal Name (if Different): St Joseph the Provider School
Also Known As: St Joseph the Provider School
Mailing Address: 1145 Turin St
City: Youngstown
State: Ohio
Postal Code: 44510
Main Phone: 330-259-0353
Main Fax: 330-259-0364
Organization Website: https://stjosephtheproviderschool.com/
Employer ID Number: 53-0196617
Organization Tax Status: Tax Exempt

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 02/13/26
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Arts & Culture Education Support
Project Description:

St. Joseph the Provider School is seeking $10,000 from the Hermanowski Family Foundation to support arts and cultural education through a partnership with SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts). This funding will cover half of one academic semester of SMARTS programming for students at St. Joseph the Provider School.
At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, St. Joseph the Provider School unexpectedly lost its full-time art teacher and was unable to secure a qualified replacement. As a result, students faced the loss of consistent, standards-based arts instruction. Access to visual arts and cultural education is essential to students’ academic success, creativity, and social-emotional development, and the school sought an immediate, high-quality solution to ensure continuity of instruction.

Through this project, SMARTS will provide professional teaching artists who deliver engaging, hands-on lessons aligned with Ohio state education standards. Instruction will take place during the regular school day and will include visual arts, creative expression, and cultural learning that complements core academic subjects. This partnership allows students to continue receiving structured arts education while the school addresses long-term staffing challenges.

The SMARTS program will serve all enrolled students at St. Joseph the Provider School, providing equitable access to arts education regardless of grade level or background. Students will participate in weekly arts instruction designed to build creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and cultural awareness.

The total cost of SMARTS programming for one semester is $20,000. The requested $10,000 from the Hermanowski Family Foundation will support half of the semester, with additional funding sought to sustain the program for the full academic year.

Total Project Budget: 20000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The Chisholm Foundation – $10,000 – Potential The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation – $10,000 – Potential

Project Duration: Next academic year – 2026-2027
Geographical Area Served: The City of Youngstown and surrounding Mahoning County communities.
Age Group To Be Served: Elementary School Students (Grades K-8)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Patrick
Contact Last Name: Lowry
Contact Title: President
Contact Phone: 330-259-0353
Contact Email: plowry@youngstowndiocese.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Christodora
Legal Name (if Different): Christodora, Inc
Also Known As: Manice Education Center
Mailing Address: 1 East 53rd Street
City: New York
State: NY
Postal Code: 10022
Main Phone: 2123715225
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.christodora.org
Employer ID Number: 13-5562192
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/13/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Camperships for NYC Youth from Under-resourced Communities
Project Description:

Christodora requests funding from the Hermanowski Foundation to provide scholarships for New York City youth to attend summer sleepaway camp at our Manice Education Center (MEC) in rural Massachusetts. At MEC, city youth encounter nature in ways they never have before. The Manice campus is set within 150 acres of private forest, rolling hills, ponds, waterfalls, and an extensive trail network. Each year, nearly 800 middle and high school students visit Manice, many of whom return each summer to build confidence through our backcountry programs. All participants come from low-income communities in New York City. The total tuition for summer camp is $2,400, of which Christodora typically provides about $2,000 in sliding-scale scholarships. We are requesting a $10,000 grant to fund 5 camp scholarships for our youth.

The Manice Center maintains the following goals for our students: (1) Introduce young people to the natural world (2) Nurture sensitivity to humans’ place within natural ecosystems (3) Foster students’ increased self-esteem and the development of their capacity for leadership, self-reliance, and group cooperation (4) Instill in students an appreciation for the natural world and the value of conservation in everyday life (5) Promote active participation and leadership in environmental stewardship and scientific inquiry.

Students who come to Manice are New Yorkers, with special attention paid to underresourced neighborhoods in the Bronx and Queens. In the summer of 2025, 30% of students were Black, 36% Hispanic, 16% multiracial, and 11% White. Many of our program “alumni” get their first jobs at Manice, becoming teaching assistants or outdoor educators. We strive to engage young people early in our program and nurture their growth throughout adolescence, providing lessons that will serve as a lodestar for life.

Total Project Budget: 822725

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $60,000 in student fees, across the entire summer; $30,000 in individuals

Project Duration: Summer 2026
Geographical Area Served: NYC Youth from across the five boroughs
Age Group To Be Served: 11 – 18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Alexis
Contact Last Name: Sanborn
Contact Title: Director of Development
Contact Phone: 212-371-5225
Contact Email: development@christodora.org

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: STAND Community Development Corporation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: STAND CDC
Mailing Address: 1501 Rahling Road, #1407
City: Little Rock
State: AR
Postal Code: 72223
Main Phone: (501) 766-2950
Main Fax:
Organization Website:
Employer ID Number: 93-4648658
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c) (3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: February 13, 2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Operation Crystal Clear: Advocating for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
Project Description:

STAND CDC seeks program support to strengthen its infrastructure for delivering community-based alternatives to youth detained in South Arkansas. Our project, Operation Crystal Clear, responds to disproportionate juvenile justice system impacts on young people ages 12-17, who make up nearly half of commitments in rural counties in Southwest Arkansas despite being only 15.7% of the population. This trend highlights the urgent need for organizational capacity to scale trauma-informed, culturally responsive services.

This grant will enable STAND to expand internal capabilities in staff training, data management, evaluation, and community advocates, along with partnerships. Funds will support the recruitment of youth and their caregivers, along with the development of community-based advocates, drawn from the same neighborhoods as the children they serve. This targeted approach is designed to ensure trust and cultural alignment. We will recruit clients and advocates through our partnership with Arkansas United, which is a faith-based initiative, leveraging its network of over 400 churches, and with the W.H. Flower Law Society and Philander Smith University Social Justice Institute, to identify and engage eligible youth and families across the target counties. The advocates/mentors will deliver individualized service plans (ISPs) and wraparound supports in line with the evidence-based Youth Advocate Program (YAP) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Mentoring model that focuses on trauma-informed care.

Program support efforts include refining our program delivery infrastructure, enhancing stakeholder coordination, and establishing robust systems for tracking outcomes such as school engagement, family stability, and reductions in system contact. Partnerships with PSU Social Justice Institute, Arkansas United, and the W. Harold Flowers Law Society will provide technical support, legal expertise, and civic engagement outreach.

This funding will position this rural-based nonprofit in Arkansas to serve more youth effectively, document impact rigorously, and expand our model statewide. The expansion will amplify STAND’s contribution to a more equitable juvenile justice system throughout the state.

Total Project Budget: $134,000.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation

Project Duration: 12 months
Geographical Area Served: South Arkansas
Age Group To Be Served: 12 – 17 years of age

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Lupita
Contact Last Name: Roy Rasheed
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (501) 766-2950
Contact Email: drlupitaroy@gmail.com

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: PEMBINA GORGE FOUNDATION
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Frost Fire Summer Theatre
Mailing Address: PO BOX 888
City: WALHALLA
State: ND
Postal Code: 58282-0888
Main Phone: 7015493600
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.frostfirepark.org
Employer ID Number: 81-4438550
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 02/12/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Frost Fire 2027 Summer Theatre Season
Project Description:

Frost Fire Summer Theatre is a long‑standing annual arts initiative that brings high‑quality musical theatre to the rural communities of northeastern North Dakota, northwestern Minnesota, and southern Manitoba. For more than 40 years, the program has operated as a professional summer stock theatre, offering a full‑scale musical production each July and serving as a cultural anchor for the Pembina Gorge region. Rehearsals take place throughout June, culminating in a series of performances that attract local residents, regional visitors, and tourists seeking a unique arts experience in a rural setting.
Each season functions as a recurring project with consistent goals: to provide accessible, family‑friendly musical theatre; to offer meaningful training and performance opportunities for emerging artists; and to strengthen the region’s cultural and economic vitality. The production engages a mix of professional performers, early‑career artists, apprentices, and community members, creating a collaborative environment that supports artistic growth and mentorship.
In addition to the mainstage musical, Frost Fire Summer Theatre incorporates educational and outreach components that expand its impact. Youth participate through the Encore Art Camp, which introduces students to theatre, music, and visual arts. The Frost Fire Invasion tour brings musical performances directly to long‑term care facilities and disability service programs, ensuring that individuals with mobility or transportation barriers can experience live theatre.
The annual project is supported by the Pembina Gorge Foundation and delivered in partnership with Frost Fire Park, regional venues, and community organizations. Each season is designed to be both artistically ambitious and deeply community‑centered, contributing to local tourism, strengthening regional identity, and ensuring that high‑quality arts experiences remain accessible in a rural setting. Frost Fire Summer Theatre continues to serve as a cornerstone of cultural life in the region, renewing its impact year after year.

Total Project Budget: 140,000-estimate based on 2026 budget

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): pending: Arts Midwest, proceeds from 2026 season, additional grant applications yet to be determined,

Project Duration: project duration will be from June 1 2027 to July 31 2027
Geographical Area Served: North Dakota, Northwestern Minnesota, Souht-Central Canada
Age Group To Be Served: 18-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.):
Contact First Name: Helen
Contact Last Name: Hutton
Contact Title: Board Member/Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 701-741-1979
Contact Email: helenchutton@live.ocm