Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
Legal Name (if Different): The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1901 Vine Street, Attn: Development Office
City: Philadelphia
State: PA
Postal Code: 19103-1189
Main Phone: 2158143517
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.freelibrary.org/
Employer ID Number: 52-1173474
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 3/29/2022
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Read Baby Read
Project Description:

Free Library will establish Read Baby Read as our flagship program for babies and toddlers, feeding directly into our Youth Services and Programs (YSP) Strategic Plan. We will also have created a roadmap for the replication/expansion and financial sustainability of the Read Baby Read program across the Free Library system.
This three‐year initiative (January 2020 – December 2022) will allow the Free Library to plan for – and prepare to implement – an expansion of Read Baby Read from two locations to at least four (including infant spaces, collections, and programs) across the Free Library system. We will replicate the most effective elements of the model spaces and collections in each of the nine library clusters, and replicate the programming in even more libraries within each cluster, as Read Baby Read becomes our flagship baby and toddler program.

The Free Library will:
• Secure a team of Early Childhood Specialists, Project Coordinator, Parent Ambassadors, Early Literacy Curriculum Development/Training Consultant, and an advisory committee to ensure that Read Baby Read programming is offered continuously and without interruption;
• Update and replenish books and supplies in model infant spaces, as well as our circulating infant collections;
• Implement regular programming schedule, including at least 50 programs per year at each library (e.g., lapsit storytimes, sensory storytimes, Baby Dance Parties, a four‐week parent workshop series, and pop‐up programs, among others) as well as programs offered in other community locations, with the goal of reaching a total of 1,500 parents/caregivers and children per year;
• Train new staff members and other stakeholders in Read Baby Read and the Free Library’s philosophy of embedding playful learning into all of its early literacy programming;
• In Year Three, plan for (and begin to implement) the expansion of Read Baby Read to at least two new library locations;
• Draft a program sustainability plan, including a fundraising plan; and
• Ensure that Read Baby Read will become our flagship early literacy program for babies and toddlers.

Total Project Budget: $825,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): William Penn Foundation, $691,131

Project Duration: 36 months
Geographical Area Served: Philadelphia, PA
Age Group To Be Served: 0-3 years old

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Katherine
Contact Last Name: Gulick
Contact Title: Director of Instutional Giving
Contact Phone: 2158143530
Contact Email: grants@freelibrary.org