Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: American Indian Services
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: AIS
Mailing Address: 170 S Interstate Plz Ste 200
City: Lehi
State: Utah
Postal Code: 84043
Main Phone: 8013751777
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.americanindianservices.org/
Employer ID Number: 87-047749
Organization Tax Status: 501 C 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 05.13.2026
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: AIS – PREP STEM PROGRAM
Project Description:

Project Description

American Indian Services (AIS) respectfully requests support for AIS PREP, a rigorous STEM preparation program designed to help American Indian and Alaska Native middle school students build the academic foundation, confidence, and career awareness needed to pursue advanced high school coursework, college degrees, and future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

AIS PREP serves students through a structured three-year curriculum that begins with current sixth-grade students and continues through returning Year 2 and Year 3 participants. The curriculum is designed to prepare and encourage young students to pursue academic degrees and professional careers in STEM. Year 1 includes Logic, Problem Solving I, and Engineering. Year 2 includes Problem Solving II, Physics, and Algebraic Structures. Year 3 includes Technical Writing, Probability and Statistics, and Computer Science. All students participate in daily career speaker presentations, weekly field trips, life skills instruction, hands-on projects, and challenging homework.

The program is needed because many Native students have limited early access to advanced STEM coursework, university-based lab experiences, Native STEM educators, and career pathway exposure. AIS PREP addresses this gap by providing an academically demanding and culturally responsive learning environment that strengthens problem-solving, critical thinking, and college readiness.

AIS PREP is delivered by qualified American Indian and Alaska Native educators with STEM backgrounds. When available, labs and learning activities are held in university settings, giving students direct exposure to higher education environments and applied STEM resources. Parent and community engagement is built into the program through kickoff meetings that explain expectations and help families support student success.

Funding from the Hermanoski Foundation would help support curriculum materials, hands-on project supplies, field trips, career speakers, qualified STEM instruction, and program coordination, allowing AIS to strengthen the Native STEM pipeline and prepare more students for long-term educational and career success.

Total Project Budget: 200,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 1800Contacts (committed), University of Utah (committed)

Project Duration: One Year
Geographical Area Served: National – but UTAH based
Age Group To Be Served: 18-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs
Contact First Name: Mary Louise
Contact Last Name: Santacaterina
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 8013751777
Contact Email: mlsantacaterina@americanindianservices.org