Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS
Legal Name (if Different): Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.
Also Known As: JAM
Mailing Address: PO Box 44, 111 Courthouse St.
City: INDEPENDENCE
State: VA
Postal Code: 24348
Main Phone: 3179858285
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.Jamkids.org
Employer ID Number: 26-3375902
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: August 27, 2026
Requested Amount: $8,000

Project Title: JAM Student Instrument Access & Supply Fund
Project Description:

Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. (JAM) seeks $8,000 toward a $95,000 regional initiative expanding access to affordable traditional Appalachian music education for youth while strengthening the community-based programs and teaching artists that make this access possible.

JAM currently supports 70 community affiliate programs across seven states, serving approximately 2,033 students and 225 teachers. Local affiliates are independently operated and community-driven, while JAM Inc. provides a common program model, teaching resources, professional development, technical assistance, instruments and instrument accessories, seed funding, and opportunities for regional collaboration.

The initiative will support four interconnected priorities: providing instruments and learning resources to students who may not otherwise have access; strengthening teaching quality and sustainability through the JAM Teacher Certification Program; providing seed funding and targeted assistance to new and developing programs; and supporting the 2027 JAM Summit and related regional professional development.

JAM’s Teacher Certification Program provides accessible professional development for traditional music educators and allows certified teaching artists to qualify for a $10-per-hour supplemental stipend. More than 70 instructors have completed certification.

JAM’s model emphasizes small-group instruction, ensemble playing, performance, cultural enrichment, and learning traditional music by ear. Programs are encouraged to provide financial assistance to families, and JAM’s current network demonstrates substantial commitment to accessibility: approximately 57% of students pay the already-reduced full tuition rate, while 16% pay a reduced rate, 9% participate on scholarship, and 18% attend completely free programs.

Hermanowski Family Foundation support would help JAM ensure that children in rural and underserved Appalachian communities can access meaningful music education while strengthening the local capacity to sustain these programs over time.

Total Project Budget: $95,000

Total Project Budget: $95,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Other Funding — Sources for the Project (Committed & Potential) JAM is pursuing a combination of foundation and individual support to help fund the $95,000 initiative. Specific foundation funding sources include: Margarett A. Cargill Philanthropies Joy Pope Foundation Martin Guitar Foundation Charities Aid Foundation of America Blumenthal Foundation East Tennessee Foundation Creag Foundation Additional support is being sought from individual donors and other philanthropic sources as opportunities become available. Support from the Hermanowski Family Foundation would complement these efforts and contribute directly to JAM’s broader regional initiative to expand youth access to traditional music education and strengthen the community programs that deliver it.

Project Duration: One year — 2027
Geographical Area Served: Southwestern Virginia, Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Upstate South Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, North Georgia, and West Virginia.
Age Group To Be Served: Approximately ages 8–17

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr
Contact First Name: Cody
Contact Last Name: Bauer
Contact Title: Field Office Coordinator
Contact Phone: 317-985-8285
Contact Email: Cody@Jamkids.org