Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Disability:IN North Carolina
Legal Name (if Different): The North Carolina Business Leadership Network
Also Known As: DI-NC
Mailing Address: 9815 Sam Furr Road Suite J-90
City: Huntersville
State: NC
Postal Code: 28078
Main Phone: 9804225544
Main Fax: NA
Organization Website: DI-NC.org
Employer ID Number: 61-1652144
Organization Tax Status: 501-C-3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 22, 2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: The Adventures Through Disability
Project Description:

Disability:IN North Carolina (DI-NC) is seeking grants to underwrite The Adventures Thorough Disability, an awareness campaign for children from Kindergarden to 21 years. This year-round campaign will improve and transform the lives of children and young adults by building acceptance, understanding, and belonging while providing a model program for state & national replication. The campaign will launch with an all-day celebration on July 26, 2026 (the anniversary of the ADA) hosted by ImaginOn, or another central library location in Charlotte, NC. DI-NC is working to secure a grant from the Arts and Science Council and other corporate and foundation grants to develop the one-day event and a year- round mobile program to take to local schools. ImaginOn serves approximately 300,000 visitors annually whereas Charlotte Mecklenburg’s 186 schools serve 141,000 students a year. People with disabilities are the largest “minority group” in America. 1 in 4 people in the U.S. experience a disability or have family members with disabilities. Disabilities include both visible and nonvisible conditions, such as hearing, vision, mobility issues, anxiety, depression, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other conditions. The Adventures Through Disability will offer interactive activities grounded in arts, music, and storytelling and in-person demonstrations and exhibits. The campaign will share compelling stories such as scientific discoveries and life transforming technological advances in a family friendly, accessible manner featuring scientists, innovators, artists, and musicians with disabilities. Targeted for children, the campaign will pique curiosity while building awareness and acceptance among all ages. The disability community includes our family, neighbors, co-workers, care givers, and friends who just like us, want to live, work, and belong. This campaign will take the “scary” out of meeting people with disabilities and replace it with confidence and respect for people who do things differently because of their disability, creating an inclusive culture for all children.

Total Project Budget: $100,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): In-kind and cash from other foundations & corporate sponsorships

Project Duration: Year- round program with kick -off event as described above
Geographical Area Served: Charlotte-Mecklenburg with plan to expand statewide & nationally.
Age Group To Be Served: Kindergarden to 21 Years age & parents

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Patricia
Contact Last Name: Keul
Contact Title: Operations Director, Dsability:IN-NC
Contact Phone: 7046217969
Contact Email: patkeul@yahoo.com