Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Spirit of Giving Network
Legal Name (if Different): n/a
Also Known As: Spirit of Giving
Mailing Address: 1515 N. Federal Highway, Suite 106
City: Boca Raton
State: Florida
Postal Code: 33432
Main Phone: 561-385-0144
Main Fax: n/a
Organization Website: https://spiritofgivingnetwork.com/
Employer ID Number: 65-0765570
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: January 31, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Resources for Palm Beach County Children
Project Description:

Spirit of Giving is requesting support for our Resources for PBC Children program, which will impact the lives of 16,500+ of our community’s children in need.

Fifty-six percent — roughly 158,633 — of children in PBC face financial hardship; many of their families are not able to afford basic necessities despite working, and often working multiple jobs (Source: United Way 2022 ALICE Report). According to the National Retail Federation, the two biggest spending seasons for families are the Back-to-School season and the winter holiday season. School shopping alone accounts for $864 per child on average, and 57% of households earning between $50,000—$99,999 found it harder to afford gifts and food for holiday meals in 2022 — up from 40% in 2021. These economic struggles correlate with children’s risk for low self esteem, learning deficiencies, and truancy, which can lead to negative long-term outcomes.

Spirit of Giving Network works to reduce these disparities year-round by convening 100+ local nonprofit child-serving organizations to share resources and streamline efforts to serve those in need. Twice per year, we spearhead community resource drives to support two annual events: Back To School PBC! and our Holiday Gift Drive.

Back to School PBC! is a collaborative event that eliminates the duplication of services among 70+ nonprofit agencies to provide an efficient, equitable distribution of community resources. With the support of 50+ community partners, children receive:

• backpacks
• grade-appropriate school supplies
• new shoes
• socks
• uniform shirts
• haircuts
• school physicals
• nutritious lunch & snacks
• feminine hygiene products
• important community resources

Families also have access to free health screenings, mammograms, and health referrals. This one-day event is held at Village Academy in Delray Beach each July.

Referred to by our network of child-serving agencies, Back to School PBC! serves 10,000+ children from low-income households, homeless, at-risk of homelessness or in foster care in PBC, 98% of whom receive free or reduced school lunch.  This program saves our community’s most vulnerable families $8.4M each year, while supporting underprivileged children in feeling confident and excited to begin school in August.

Spirit of Giving’s Holiday Gift Drive works with ~60 local nonprofit organizations to ensure that 6,500+ vulnerable children receive their holiday wish each season. Gift wishes are fulfilled through the support of 120+ community partners and donation collection sites, and 15+ volunteer groups. Our innovative, ambitious approach to community collaboration keeps costs low while delivering holiday joy to children and families who need it most.

Total Project Budget: $357,150

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): In a typical year, our Resources for Palm Beach County Children program is funded 45% by Palm Beach County and Children’s Services Council (funds are earmarked for Back To School PBC!), 33% by individual and corporate donations, and 22% by grants. We are grateful for the longstanding committed support of The Schmidt Family Foundation, The Jim Moran Foundation, The Vegso Family Foundation, Boca West Children’s Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, The Batchelor Foundation, and more. As we work to expand our base of support so that we can meet rising needs, we are working to connect with more potential funders including The Community Foundation of Palm Beach & Martin Counties, The Walter & Adi Blum Foundation, The Albert & Birdie Einstein Foundation, and more. We hope to soon count The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation among our community partners working together to achieve better outcomes for Palm Beach County’s underserved youth.

Project Duration: January through December, 2024
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 5 through 17 (K-12 students)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Lindy
Contact Last Name: Harvey
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 561-385-0144
Contact Email: lindy@spiritofgivingnetwork.com