Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Forest Forward
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 152929
City: Dallas
State: TX
Postal Code: 75315
Main Phone: 469-676-9567
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://www.forestforward.org
Employer ID Number: 85-1581238
Organization Tax Status: 501c3 Tax Exempt

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 1/17/2024
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Arts Education at Forest Theater
Project Description:

Forest Forward is pursuing an ambitious master plan to revitalize South Dallas, which is two miles south of Dallas, Texas’ Central Business District. This neighborhood has endured decades of disinvestment, neglect, and systemic inequities, leading to multigenerational poverty and crime. The life expectancy in this neighborhood is 67 years – a full 16 years younger than Dallas residents just a few miles to the north.

The anchor project for this community revitalization plan is the renovation of the historic Forest Theater, which was once the jewel of the neighborhood and a gathering place for the Black community, following white flight and redlining that took hold in the 1950s. The renovated Theater will include an expansive Educational Hub, which will provide creator/maker space for students of the neighboring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy (K-8), as well as young artists, writers, and performers from the community. Forest Forward worked directly with Dallas Independent School District over the last several years to transform the neighborhood school from a low-performing learning center to a high-performing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) Academy that will create opportunities and open up future pathways for its students.

Forest Forward already engages regularly with young people, offering summer arts camps, taking students on field trips to museums, movies and shows, providing back-to-school supplies, and providing clothing and basic needs during the holidays for hundreds of young people.

Total Project Budget: 80,676,400

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): We have secured approximately $56 million in private and public donations to date, including a $5 million gift from the Communities Foundation of Texas and a $2.5 million gift from the Mellon Foundation.

Project Duration: 18 months
Geographical Area Served: Dallas
Age Group To Be Served: 5-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Karen
Contact Last Name: Cooperstein
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 9729538314
Contact Email: karen@craterlakeconsulting.com