Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Emily Krzyzewski Center, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Emily K Center
Mailing Address: 904 W. Chapel Hill St.
City: Durham
State: NC
Postal Code: 27701
Main Phone: 9196800308
Main Fax:
Organization Website: emilyk.org
Employer ID Number: 562230469
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/27/2025
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Pioneer Scholars
Project Description:

The Emily K Center was born out of a desire to address the needs of Durham’s lower-income, first generation students with the desire to complete a degree, but who encounter systemic barriers to achieving that goal. The majority of students enrolled in Durham Public Schools qualify for free or reduced lunch, and close to 75% of the district’s students are from ethnic minority groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education (African American, 37.2% and Latinx, 35.1%).

Pioneer Scholars is a free program supporting underserved elementary and middle school students. The program aims to prepare students to thrive in a college preparatory high school environment with the academic, socioemotional, and leadership skills required to identify, advocate for, and achieve their goals. The program helps lay the foundation for future success. Students meet in small groups after school with our educators to build strong academic skills. Educators use assessments and benchmarking to tailor lessons to areas of greatest need. Students participate in project-based, hands-on learning and are provided snacks when they come to the Center for programming.

Other program components include college and career exploration; cultural, arts, and social enrichment; socioemotional learning; physical recreation; and summer enrichment. In addition, character and leadership building are embedded into programming. The program teaches core character development pillars: high expectations, integrity, honesty, respect, heart, and hard work.

At the Center, we believe in the power of education in contributing to economic and social mobility in communities. Programs help address educational disparities and break cycles of poverty for students and their families. The long-term goal of Pioneer Scholars is for students to be holistically healthy and equipped to pursue their personal, educational, and career goals, positioning them for economic mobility and leadership in their communities.

Total Project Budget: 560,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): We’ve applied for funding as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and that decision is pending. We have a $40K total grant from the Sahm Family Foundation that includes some support to Pioneer Scholars (about a third of the grant). We also have a pending grant that would include about $33K in support to PS.

Project Duration: Programming is year-round with new cohorts of students beginning in the summer
Geographical Area Served: Durham County, North Carolina
Age Group To Be Served: elementary and middle school students

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Jordan
Contact Last Name: Farthing
Contact Title: Grants Manager and Communications Specialist
Contact Phone: 919-806-1085
Contact Email: jfarthing@emilyk.org