Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: BRYC
Mailing Address: 460 N 11th Street
City: Baton Rouge
State: LA
Postal Code: 70802
Main Phone: 2254565752
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: thebryc.org
Employer ID Number: 26-2477597
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 22, 2024
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: BRYC’s College Mentor Program
Project Description:

It’s a common misconception that all students who perform well academically will attain college success. This assumption ignores or underestimates resource gaps that cause 89 percent of lower-income students nationally to drop out of college. Those who do persist carry $59,730 student debt on average. A systemic lack of academic, financial, and personal support during the college application process leaves high-achieving, under-resourced students in Baton Rouge unable to access affordable higher education and become leaders and innovators for Louisiana.

BRYC was founded in 2009 when two high school teachers realized even their brightest students would struggle to realize college success due to a dearth of resources. Today, we provide best-in-class college preparatory services — for free — to over 300 teen “Fellows,” preparing them to enter, persist in, and graduate from college. Closing out our 15th year, BRYC’s 667 alumni have collectively earned $85.11 million in scholarships and boast an 82% persistence rate – five times the national average for lower-income students.

BRYC humbly requests $10,000 from the Hermanowski Foundation to support our College Mentor Program, which continuously delivers impressive results. Our 14th class (2023) received 505 college acceptances and $9.45 million in gift aid. One-hundred percent are enrolled in college; 70 percent with less than $5,500 of debt/year. We ask the Hermanowski Foundation to support this program because, quite simply, it works.

BRYC’s 100 Class of 2025 Senior Fellows will receive:
–1:2 support from dedicated BRYC College Counselors and trained College Mentors
–Robust essay coaching
–College tours/preview visits
–Family financial aid counseling
–Min. $250 direct financial assistance

Senior Fellows focus on submitting the FAFSA; writing and submitting applications; applying for scholarships; and choosing a best-fit school. They cap off senior year with “College 101,” BRYC’s eight-week course focused on the transition to college life.

Total Project Budget: $365,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): – Unum, $35,000, potential – Baton Rouge Alliance for Students, $20,000, committed – Entergy Corporation, $10,000, potential – Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Foundation: $10,000, committed – Papa John’s Foundation, $5,000, committed – Junior League of Baton Rouge: $2,500, committed

Project Duration: January 2025 – August 2025
Geographical Area Served: Greater Baton Rouge Area, Louisiana
Age Group To Be Served: 14-18 years

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Elin
Contact Last Name: Hawkinson
Contact Title: Director of Communications and Development
Contact Phone: 917-209-7094
Contact Email: elin@thebryc.org