Grant Request Hit the Books
Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form
Organization Name: Hit the Books
Legal Name (if Different): Hit the Books, Inc.
Also Known As: not applicable
Mailing Address: 340 St. Nicholas Ave.
City: New York
State: New York
Postal Code: 10027
Main Phone: 646 540-7983
Main Fax: not applicable
Organization Website: www.hitthebooksnyc.org
Employer ID Number: 84-2795993
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3
Proposal Information
Today’s Date: March 27, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000
Project Title: Hit the Books General Program Operations
Project Description:
Hit the Books strives to have a long term impact on a young person’s journey to a productive and fulfilling life. Out-of-school time programs help young people in grades 2-8 who have been performing below grade level thresholds attain literacy and math skills and the wherewithal to think about a future that includes college and a career.
Hit the Books opened in October 2020, during the pandemic, when home schooling was the norm; young people were falling behind academically and lacked opportunities for physical activities or socialization. Inequality in education for lower income Harlem youth is an on-going problem, that the crisis exacerbated. We address this problem with a sports-based youth development approach of Academics and Mixed Martial Arts.
The 2 program areas are complementary. Academic instruction improves math and reading skills. iReady, an online platform, targets lessons to a student’s unique needs. Small group activities and culturally relevant reading materials supplement individualized instruction. Mixed Martial Arts improves physical fitness, self-discipline, work ethic, and self-confidence.
Hit the Books is a young organization. In less than 3 years it grew from 60 students annually to 129 this year with 175 on a waiting list. Our data shows that 80% of participants show improvement in math and reading and 100% show fitness growth. Parent and student surveys attest to participants’ social and emotional growth.
A student can stay with us from elementary school through early adolescence. We have 4 options: an Afterschool program from 2pm-6pm for students in grades 2-6, Extended Hours from 6pm-8pm for 7th and 8th graders who are ageing up, and 2 programs that have cohorts for the full age range of our target population, a school year Saturday Program for students whose schedules are not compatible with weekday hours; and a Summer Program.
Total Project Budget: $842,739
Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed Funding: Board Members $150,000 Other Individual Donors $250,000; Harris Foundation$25,000 Potential Funders: CD&R Foundation, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Houlihan Lokey, New York City Council, Pinkerton Foundation, Cowles Foundation, Beyond Sport, Nicholas B. Ottoway Foundation, Individuals, West Harlem Community Development Corporation
Project Duration: 12 months and on-going
Geographical Area Served: Harlem in New York City
Age Group To Be Served: 2nd-8th graders
Contact Information
Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Janis
Contact Last Name: Wasserman
Contact Title: Grants Coordintor
Contact Phone: 203 984-5106
Contact Email: janiswasserman@gmail.com