Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Equest Center
Mailing Address: 3777 Rector Ave NE
City: Rockford
State: Michigan
Postal Code: 49341
Main Phone: 616-866-3066
Main Fax: 616-863-6460
Organization Website: www.equestcenter.org
Employer ID Number: 38-2938949
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/26/25
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: Horses + Special Kids = Success
Project Description:

Equest is a powerful beacon of hope and healing for children with disabilities in West Michigan. Equest Center’s mission is to improve quality of life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally, and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Our unique program integrates academic, social, and physical skills using the horse as a catalyst. Equest makes therapy enjoyable for people with many different needs in our YEAR-ROUND Therapeutic Riding program, which is a critical piece for many that we serve. Recreational opportunities for children with physical, mental, and social/emotional disabilities in Kent County are scarce. Our center has been key in filling many gaps created from local school and community budget cuts regarding critical care and education for those with disabilities by offering unique and specialized equine-based therapy programming options that offer a multitude of educational, emotional and mental benefits. “Therapy Disguised as FUN!”

Costs associated with caring for someone with a disability can be staggering, and in this time of economic difficulty for so many, program scholarship funds are CRITICAL to the majority of our riders and their families. Many of our riders are unable to pay anything at all and need larger partial scholarships or full scholarships. The funds from this grant will be used to provide scholarship funds for the children that would be unable to participate in our program without a scholarship. The support of The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Foundation will directly affect the number of individuals with disabilities who receive the opportunity to benefit from this life-changing therapy!

Total Project Budget: $263,375

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Northern Cross Foundation $55,000 – Committed, Ron L. Fate Revocable Trust $50,112 – Committed, Beth Spica $50,000 – Committed, Janice Barnes $24,608 – Committed, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation $20,000 – Committed, Mary Free Bed Fund $17,000 – Committed, Brian DeVries $10,000 – Committed, The Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation $10,000 – Committed, Eileen DeVries Family Foundation $10,000 – Committed, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation $10,000 – Potential

Project Duration: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Geographical Area Served: Kent County – West Michigan
Age Group To Be Served: 2-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Sara
Contact Last Name: Mulder
Contact Title: Development Coordinator
Contact Phone: 616-866-3066 x113
Contact Email: saramulder@equestcenter.org