Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Cruces Creatives
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 205 E Lohman Avenue
City: Las Cruces
State: New Mexico
Postal Code: 88001
Main Phone: 575-448-1072
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.crucescreatives.org
Employer ID Number: 81-5340614
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 25, 2022
Requested Amount: $6,600

Project Title: Mini-Grants for Community-Engaged Classroom Projects
Project Description:

To improve educational outcomes for students in the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS), we propose to build on an existing program, CommunityShare Las Cruces (CommunityShare), to offer students more opportunities for project-based learning with support from subject matter experts in the community.

CommunityShare is a free-to-use, online platform that connects teachers with community partners to bring knowledge and enthusiasm into the classroom. The expertise of the community partners can enhance learning through classroom projects, demonstrations, and other initiatives developed jointly by teachers and community partners. To expand the types of projects that students, teachers, and community partners can undertake, Cruces Creatives—Las Cruces’ nonprofit makerspace—also provides access to the wide range of tools and training available through its 12,400 ft2 anchor facility and mobile labs.

Working especially with the Las Cruces Community Schools, we have built a pilot cohort of 77 teachers and 72 community partners for the Las Cruces Community Schools and launched the first 22 classroom projects: projects like a student-led school composting program, recycled blankets for a homeless shelter, a custom mobility device for a student’s younger sibling, and much more. All participating teachers report that the program improved student engagement and learning outcomes, even during the disruptions of the pandemic. Based on these successes, we are expanding the program to all schools in the greater Las Cruces area—and to support this expansion, additional mini-grant funding will be essential.

With $6,600 in funding from the Hermanowski Family Foundation, we propose to fund an additional 15 classroom projects, and cover the projects’ de minimus 10% indirect expenses, throughout the greater Las Cruces area. Based on the LCPS student-teacher ratio of 17:1, we expect that the 15 mini-grants from the Hermanowski Family Foundation will benefit approximately 255 students.

Total Project Budget: $81,600

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): W. K. Kellogg Foundation (committed), Stocker Foundation (potential), El Paso Electric Community Foundation (potential), McKee Foundation (potential)

Project Duration: January-June 2023
Geographical Area Served: Greater Las Cruces, New Mexico
Age Group To Be Served: 3-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Patrick
Contact Last Name: DeSimio
Contact Title: Grant Writer and Program Manager
Contact Phone: 937-830-3649
Contact Email: p.desimio@crucescreatives.org