Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: BRIGHT BEGINNINGS INC
Legal Name (if Different): BRIGHT BEGINNINGS INC
Also Known As: BBI
Mailing Address: 3418 4th St SE
City: Washington
State: DC
Postal Code: 20032
Main Phone: 2026724133
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.bbidc.org
Employer ID Number: 52-1697917
Organization Tax Status: 501( c) 3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: Mach 24, 2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Early Childhood Education for Ward 7–8 Families: Building Bright Futures
Project Description:

Bright Beginnings Inc. (BBI) respectfully requests a grant of 10,000 from The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support our Early Childhood Education and Development Program serving 218 children ages 0-5 and their families across three locations in Washington, D.C. – 4th St SE, Garfield and Whitlock Elementary Schools.

The families we serve face significant barriers, including housing instability, food insecurity, and financial hardship. Wards 7 and 8 are among the District’s most under-resourced communities, where opportunities for high-quality early education remain limited and the need for comprehensive family support is profound. Without early learning opportunities, children often enter kindergarten already behind their peers, a gap that widens over time and reinforces cycles of poverty. BBI exists to close that gap. Our NAEYC-accredited program delivers evidence-based instruction that strengthens early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills essential for kindergarten readiness. Last year, 100% of pre-K graduates demonstrated the developmental progress needed to excel in kindergarten, as measured by COR Advantage assessments.

Since 1990, BBI has addressed these challenges through a trauma-informed, two-generation model that supports the whole family. Qualified educators lead classrooms using developmentally appropriate curricula, while children receive daily nutritious meals and developmental, vision, dental, and hearing screenings throughout the school year. Parents access job training, housing support, financial coaching, and continuing education opportunities. By creating parallel pathways, academic readiness for children and economic mobility for parents, BBI strengthens family stability and disrupts intergenerational poverty.

A $25,000 grant will sustain and enhance program operations across all three sites, supporting classroom materials, developmental assessments, nutrition services, and family engagement activities that build the foundation for lasting success.

Total Project Budget: 5,765,055

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Wellpoint, $20,000 / Stranahan Foundation, $50,000 / John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation, $50,000 / Potential: Dr. Scholl Foundation $25,000 / Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation, $20,000 / George and Sarah Buchanan Foundation, $10,000

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Washington DC – Wards 7 & 8
Age Group To Be Served: 0-5

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Rebecca
Contact Last Name: Rorke
Contact Title: Director of Development and External Affairs
Contact Phone: 2028682495
Contact Email: hyamir@bbidc.org