Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: 18 Reasons
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 3674 18th St
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Postal Code: 94110
Main Phone: 4159942164
Main Fax:
Organization Website:
Employer ID Number:
Organization Tax Status:

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/27/2025
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Cooking Matters for Teens
Project Description:

This grant will support the “Cooking Matters for Teens” program, which provides free, six-week cooking and nutrition classes for 400 low-income youth annually in the San Francisco Bay Area. Classes are held in person, in partnership with schools and youth-serving organizations. Outcomes include increased fruit and vegetable consumption, increased cooking confidence, and increased food security.

Our program is proven to improve food security and health outcomes among our participants, not just today or next week, but for months and years after they have graduated from a Cooking Matters series. With low-income families disproportionately impacted by diet-related diseases, it is imperative that we invest in the health and wellbeing of these families as early as possible.

Program Design:

Hands-on Cooking Classes: Each class session meets for 90 minutes on a weekly basis, and includes both hands-on cooking and interactive nutrition education. 18 Reasons staff members bring all cooking equipment, groceries, curricula, and instructors to each Cooking Matters class. Each class focuses on basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and how to create meals that are both healthy and appealing to kids and teens.

Nutrition Education: Participants will learn about food groups, portion control, label reading, and the benefits of whole foods. This will help families make healthier choices when grocery shopping or planning meals.

Access to Resources: 18 Reasons provides a fresh meal (made by participants in class) and a free bag of groceries to every Cooking Matters participant in every class.

Our Cooking Matters for Teens program is designed to empower children and their families with the skills and knowledge to improve their health through food and nutrition. We teach kids and their families how to prepare affordable, healthy meals, make informed nutritional choices, and build lifelong habits that support well-being.

Total Project Budget: $230,900

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): City of Richmond ($100/year for two years, committed), California Department of Food and Agriculture ($50000/year for two years committed), Contra Costa Health Services ($53,000/year for two years, committed), donations from individuals (committed)

Project Duration: January – December 2026
Geographical Area Served: San Francisco Bay Area
Age Group To Be Served: 10-18 year old teenagers

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sarah
Contact Last Name: Nelson
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 415-994-2164
Contact Email: grants@18reasons.org