Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Reading Is Fundamental
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 750 First Street, NE, Suite 920
City: Washington
State: DC
Postal Code: 20002
Main Phone: (202) 536-3489
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.rif.org/
Employer ID Number: 52-0976257
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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

Project Title: Middle School Family Literacy Initiative – Expanding Access to Books and Building a Culture of Reading
Project Description:

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) seeks funding from the Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support the Middle School Family Literacy Initiative (MSFLI) — a research-backed program designed to increase middle school students’ access to books, reading motivation, and literacy engagement. Building on RIF’s Books for Ownership model, MSFLI provides students with the opportunity to select diverse books to own, increasing reading motivation and strengthening connections between home and school literacy environments.

MSFLI targets middle school students from culturally and linguistically diverse communities who face significant barriers to literacy achievement. Research shows that reading motivation and engagement decline during middle school, particularly in urban schools with persistent reading achievement gaps. RIF’s recent three-year study of 140,000 middle school students in 78 schools across 10 cities demonstrated that book ownership, culturally responsive literature, and peer engagement positively impact students’ self-concept as readers and their perceived value of reading. Key findings include:

– Significant improvements in students’ reading motivation and self-concept, with eighth graders showing the highest gains
– Students self-initiated book clubs and social reading activities, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on peer-support literacy
– Students expanded their reading choices, accessing books that reflect diverse identities and experiences

With your support, RIF will expand book access and choice for students in the six middle school programs participating in the DC area. This targeted boost will enable schools to select modern, compelling, and culturally relevant titles that are often more expensive and previously out of reach, addressing a challenge identified in earlier years of the program. Additional support from the PwC Foundation will provide program materials for educators and families, professional development, and ongoing student-led literacy engagement activities throughout the year. Together, these investments will help bridge persistent learning gaps and nurture a lasting love of reading during a pivotal stage in students’ development.

Total Project Budget: $1,010,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): PwC Foundation: $1,000,000 Proposed (final decision April 2025)

Project Duration: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Geographical Area Served: United States/Washington DC
Age Group To Be Served: Middle school students (ages 11-14)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Rachel
Contact Last Name: Madewell
Contact Title: Senior Vice President of Development
Contact Phone: (202) 536-3403
Contact Email: rmadewell@rif.org