Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Sylvia’s Sisters
Legal Name (if Different): n/a
Also Known As: n/a
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13812
City: Richmond
State: VA
Postal Code: 23225
Main Phone: 804-482-1288
Main Fax: n/a
Organization Website: https://sylviassisters.org/
Employer ID Number: 47-2593789
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/25/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000.00

Project Title: Kits for Kids: Providing Free Period Products to Greater Richmond Schools
Project Description:

For thousands of women and girls in Central Virginia, menstruation is not just a monthly inconvenience, it is a barrier to education, employment, health, and dignity. Period poverty, or inadequate access to menstrual products, causes school-aged girls to miss out on valuable class time, receive poor grades, wear menstrual products longer than recommended, and utilize unsanitary items like socks or paper towels to manage their cycle. These consequences cause catastrophic impacts like avoidance of extracurricular activities, lower graduation rates, and less earning power in adulthood, in addition to increased risk of infection, infertility, and feelings of shame and depression.

According to our surveys, 59% of menstruating students from Virginia’s Greater Richmond region have missed class, or know someone who has, due to a lack of period products. Sixty-eight percent (68%) claimed that they have felt distracted, stressed, or worried during class for the same reason, and 67% stated that they have avoided school, sports, and extracurriculars when they did not have enough period products.

Since 2014, Sylvia’s Sisters has addressed period poverty by distributing tens of thousands free period products to Greater Richmond schools. Eighty-seven (72%) of our 129 active partners serve K-12 students, and 22 of our partners (18%) serve post-secondary students. We provide school-based partners with “period kits” (packages containing pads, tampons, and liners for one menstrual cycle), which are distributed to students throughout the academic year. Our partners report that these kits are a lifeline for female students, and data shows a dramatic reduction in chronic absenteeism in schools we serve.

We are requesting $10,000 to purchase supplies for 2,564 period kits for Greater Richmond schools in the year 2027, enabling thousands of young women in Central Virginia to fully participate in activities that promote learning, socialization, and fitness.

Total Project Budget: $100,150.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Jenkins Foundation ($30,000); Community Foundation for a greater Richmond ($20,000); Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. Charitable Trust ($10,000); Shelton Hardaway Short, Jr. Trust ($10,000); Freeman Family Foundation ($5,000); Midlothian Rotary Club ($4,000); Bon Air Presbyterian Church ($3,000); Dover Baptist Association ($1,400); Individual and corporate support ($5,000) / Potential: Richmond Health Equity Fund ($50,000); Memorial Foundation for Children ($15,000); Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses Club ($1,000); Individual and corporate support ($80,000)

Project Duration: If awarded, all grant funds would be spent in the year 2027.
Geographical Area Served: Central Virginia (Greater Richmond region)
Age Group To Be Served: Students ages 21 and under

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Erika
Contact Last Name: Bedwell
Contact Title: Grants & Communications Manager
Contact Phone: 804-869-1607
Contact Email: erika@sylviassisters.org