Grant Request The Front Porch

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form


Organization Name: The Front Porch
Legal Name (if Different): The Front Porch C’ville
Also Known As: Front Porch
Mailing Address: 221 East Water Street
City: Charlottesville
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 22902
Main Phone: (434) 806-7062
Main Fax: (434) 806-7062
Organization Website: https://frontporchcville.org/
Employer ID Number: 47-4040467
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information


Today’s Date: 3/30/2022
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Roots & Wings
Project Description:

The Front Porch is a non-profit community music school in Charlottesville, Virginia offering music lessons, community jams, dances, and concerts in our pursuit to connect everyone through music. We are seeking funding for “Roots & Wings,” The Front Porch’s comprehensive music outreach program designed to build musicians from the inside out. We partner with organizations who serve children in challenging circumstances to offer music classes and music mentorship in locations throughout the community. Currently, Roots & Wings artists teach 275 students each week at thirteen sites including local public elementary schools, early education centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs.

At our partner preschools, children from three to five years old explore rhythm, melody, and expression by learning seasonal songs, using percussion instruments, and dancing with colorful scarves. Over 80% of these children qualify for free/reduced lunch. At the elementary schools, we partner with the YMCA, which provides all after-school programming for Charlottesville City Schools. Teachers bring in instruments for exploration, survey musical concepts through movement and song, and have even written original songs with the kids. 75% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches. None of these organizations have existent music programming.

Myriad studies demonstrate that early-childhood music education accelerates brain development, strengthens language acquisition and reading skills, and improves social-emotional and motor skills. Our Roots & Wings curriculum is designed to build well-rounded people as well as musicians, and it builds upon the standards set by the Virginia Standards of Learning for the Arts.

In the fall semester, we have been asked to expand into five new preschools that specifically serve low-income families. We are respectfully requesting a $10,000 grant to enable us to reach these new early-childhood centers and provide music education for over 400 preschoolers. Funding would compensate our teaching staff at a professional rate and purchase necessary instruments and supplies. 100% of grant money would go directly to service providers and supplies; no administrative fees are included in this grant request.

Total Project Budget: $170,640

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Received: – BAMA Works Grant – $8,500 – Charlottesville Area Community Foundation – $7,500 – Fun is For Everyone Fund – $3,600 – Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation – $5,000 Requested: – REA Charitable Trust – $58,000 – Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation – $10,000 – MONAT Gratitude Grants – $18,000 – NEA Challenge America Grant – $10,000

Project Duration: Year round. "Roots & Wings" follows the semester schedule of the local public schools.
Geographical Area Served: Central Virginia: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and continuous counties.
Age Group To Be Served: Students — preschoolers, and elementary-aged students.

Contact Information


Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Eli
Contact Last Name: Ratzlaff
Contact Title: Development Coordinator
Contact Phone: 4344666110
Contact Email: eliratzlaff@frontporchcville.org