Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Montessori School of Englewood
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: TMSOE
Mailing Address: 6936 S Hermitage Ave
City: Chicago
State: IL
Postal Code: 60636
Main Phone: 7735359255
Main Fax:
Organization Website: tmsoe.org
Employer ID Number: 27-2803775
Organization Tax Status: 501 c 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 26, 2024
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: What About the Parents: Support for Parent Learning Track Addition to After School Program
Project Description:

Montessori education has long been associated with wealthy families who can afford the exorbitant annual tuition. For example, published rates for full-day programming at Countryside Day School in Northbrook, Illinois this year ranges between $21,100 for infants and $29,600 for elementary aged students. By contrast, TMSOE is the only tuition-free Montessori Charter School in Chicago and one of the first public schools in the U.S. to offer a free Montessori education in an under-represented, high-needs urban community.

Learning Hermanowski Foundation does not fund requests for applications made in the same year as the funding need, TMSOE is submitting a revised request.

A grant of $10,000 would support the addition of a parent learning component to TMSOEs After School Program during the 2025-2026 school year. Offered to parents of the children attending TMSOE, the learning track will help parents with limited resources achieve their goals of self-sufficiency and family stability. During the next school year, TMSOE will send questionnaires to all parents to ensure the classes provided are what families need and want. However, anticipated areas include job readiness (interview skills, resume writing, job search), English as a Second Language (ESL), GED preparation, integrating Montessori principles at home, and Parent Cafés, which is safe space for peer-to-peer learning that improve resilience and strengthen supports within families. Funds will cover costs such as class materials, GED tests, and transportation.

Total Project Budget: 107125

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): John Buck Foundation, PAID, $10,000; Seeking other potential funders, as we were the runner up to Impact 100 and were not awarded funding

Project Duration: Ongoing-funding for 2025-26 school year.
Geographical Area Served: Chicago Illinois’s Englewood community area
Age Group To Be Served: K-8

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Calvin
Contact Last Name: Barksdale
Contact Title: Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 7738497098
Contact Email: cbarksdale@tmsoe.org