Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: GRIL
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7865
City: Grand Rapids
State: MI
Postal Code: 49510
Main Phone: 616-301-6697
Main Fax: NA
Organization Website: Grileadership.org
Employer ID Number: 26-3903305
Organization Tax Status: Section 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: February 13, 2023
Requested Amount: 8000

Project Title: GRIL U Teen Leadership Program
Project Description:

Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders teen leadership program, GRIL U, guides young leaders aged 15-21 to define their personal mission statements, set goals, and find specific ways to influence their community.

Our programs meet after school at various locations throughout the community and GRIL provides transportation, program literature, and snacks. We limit the group size to ensure each student receives adequate focus and attention to foster their development. Our program encourages students to find opportunities to lead at church, school, or a business.

One participant, a refugee from a war-torn country, was surprised to discover how little her new friends and community knew about her home country. Through the program at GRIL, she decided to share her story through a short movie to share with new friends to help them learn about the situation she had left behind. She is now attending college and writing a book about her refugee experience. Through the mentorship at the GRIL-U program, she was able to answer the question: how can I make a difference in my community?

Without these programs offered at GRIL, our community would miss out on caring, resourceful, intelligent leaders who would not have access to character training like this. It’s imperative that a community has leaders from multiple backgrounds to step up and bring necessary changes to our neighborhoods.

A grant of $8,000 from Hermanowski Family Foundation go towards funding one site for our GRIL U program. Our program runs 9 months from September to May each year. The total cost to run one site with 12 participants is $25,000 which includes scholarships to students. We believe our GRIL U program aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to transform the lives of children through education

Total Project Budget: $25,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $10,000 from the Wege Foundation (Committed) and $5000 from the DeVos Families Foundation (Committed)

Project Duration: 9 months (September 2024 – May 2025)
Geographical Area Served: Greater Grand Rapids area, Michigan
Age Group To Be Served: 15-21 years

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Tyreece
Contact Last Name: Guyton
Contact Title: Chief Operating Officer
Contact Phone: (616) 293-6531
Contact Email: tyreece@grileadership.org