Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Gardere Community Christian School
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 8538 GSRI Avenue
City: Baton Rouge
State: Louisiana
Postal Code: 70810
Main Phone: 2253875082
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.gardereschool.com
Employer ID Number: 61-1614861
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/17/2025
Requested Amount: $8,000

Project Title: Future Ready Kids
Project Description:

The mission of Gardere Community Christian School (GCCS) is to provide a firm Christian foundation in the educational and spiritual life of children in the Gardere neighborhood, encouraging them to grow into and become the person God created them to be. This mission is achieved through three pillars of success: academic excellence, spiritual and character development, and family/community involvement. The goal is to make a high quality, Christian education available to every child and family in the Gardere area, regardless of their financial circumstances. GCCS serves 162 low-income (99%) and minority (98%) students. On the 2024 state standardized (LEAP) tests, the percentage of students scoring Mastery+ in English and Math was more than six times that of neighboring schools serving the Gardere community.

GCCS offers one-to-one computers to its 2nd-5th grade students. The school’s current student computers are all five years+. Due to age and changing technology, the computers fail to adequately support the learning and testing software used in the tier-one curricula (Louisiana Department of Education) that the school employs. Some classrooms have newer shared, or demonstration, computers. Others do not. GCCS invites the Hermanowski Family Foundation to invest in the futures of the Gardere community’s children as the school purchases 95 student computers and four stronger classroom computers.

Integrating contemporary technology into the classroom is essential for low-income students, helping close the achievement gap and preparing them for a digital future. A study by the Education Trust found that low-income students are 40% less likely to use technology for interactive learning activities. Many families rely on smartphones as their sole means of connectivity, viewing technology as entertainment tools rather than educational/professional tools. Providing access to and training in computer technology for research and education is paramount. Upgrades are necessary to keep up with changing software technology.

Total Project Budget: $21,071

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): The remainder of the project is funded through corporate partnership with Beall Law Firm (committed) and Henry Insurance (committed), a grant request from the Boo Grigsby Foundation (pending review), and individual donors.

Project Duration: 04/01/2025 – 12/31/2025, but the items purchased will serve students for years to come.
Geographical Area Served: GCCS serves the Greater Baton Rouge Area, but the vast majority of its students live within the one square mile of the impoverished Gardere neighborhood.
Age Group To Be Served: 7 – 12 year-olds, or 2nd – 5th grades

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Cheryl
Contact Last Name: Lott
Contact Title: Director of Development and Marketing
Contact Phone: 225-603-4076
Contact Email: cheryllott@gccsbr.org