Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Junior Appalachian Musicians
Legal Name (if Different): Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.
Also Known As: JAM
Mailing Address: PO Box 44
City: Independence
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 24348
Main Phone: (276) 768-6329
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.Jamkids.org
Employer ID Number: 26-3375902
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 1/29/35
Requested Amount: $4,500

Project Title: Student Instrument Supply Fund
Project Description:

Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) is the nonprofit parent organization for 60+ out-of-school programs for children ages 8 and up in seven states. As the acronym suggests, JAM is a place-based model of arts education providing small group instruction in traditional mountain music and dance to kids. JAM provides communities with the tools and support they need to teach children to play and dance to traditional old time and bluegrass music.

Instruments

Newly developed JAM programs are eligible for student model instruments common to Appalachian string music (banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, and more) provided by JAM, Inc. The instruments are provided at no cost to the affiliate and students enrolled in JAM are able to take instruments home while they are enrolled. In the past, JAM, Inc. has been able to guarantee twelve instruments per program, and sometimes additional instruments as requested if supply allows. The instruments we distribute to affiliated programs are in part provided by a partnering organization, Hungry For Music, individual instrument donations and a small amount of new instruments through wholesale or special discount purchase, such as through a new partnership with instrument company Recording King. Currently, our instrument supplies are very low due to the number of communities interested in developing JAM programs, and the need to replace instruments post natural disaster. The enthusiasm around new program development is exciting and testifies to the need for these programs in rural communities. We have no full size fiddles/violins and very few banjos. It is a goal for JAM, Inc to eventually be able to guarantee all the instruments needed for each newly established program, which is typically around 20-30 instruments. Funding would support this initiative, and instruments are able to be used for years on a recycled basis.

Total Project Budget: $93,480

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Hays Foundation, Boyd Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, The Sunshine Foundation, Tides Foundation, Looking Out Foundation

Project Duration: November 1, 2025 to November 1, 2026
Geographical Area Served: Southwest VA, East TN, Western NC, Eastern KY, North GA, all of WV, and the northern part of SC
Age Group To Be Served: Ages 8 through 17

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr
Contact First Name: Cody
Contact Last Name: Bauer
Contact Title: Field Office Coordinator
Contact Phone: 317-985-8285
Contact Email: Cody@Jamkids.org