Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Invent The Summer
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 1789 New Britain Ave
City: Farmington
State: Connecticut
Postal Code: 06032
Main Phone: 8603917441
Main Fax:
Organization Website: inventthesummer.org
Employer ID Number: 84-4059423
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/25
Requested Amount: 3,000

Project Title: Summer Challenge Series
Project Description:

Invent the Summer is committed to addressing critical gaps in STEM education by providing hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills, especially among children from underserved communities. Research consistently shows that early exposure to STEM plays a pivotal role in shaping children’s interest and long-term success in these fields. Yet, many children face significant barriers—financial, logistical, and social—that limit their access to out-of-school STEM programs. These barriers disproportionately impact children in low-income and underrepresented communities, deepening existing inequities and reducing opportunities for future success in STEM.
At Invent the Summer, we believe every child should have access to enriching STEM activities during the summer, which is why our challenges are entirely free. To keep challenges and workshops free and accessible, we rely on the generosity of funders like the Hermanowski Family Foundation. This grant will support the costs of our Summer Challenge Series which includes prizes, video editing technology, postage and shipping for awards, and point trackers, to name a few.
Our weekly challenges being in June, but our Junior and Senior Board of Engineers have already been hard at work designing and filming these challenges. We anticipate having significantly more participation in our virtual challenges this summer from both individual participants and camp groups. This means more prizes, point trackers, and time dedicated to judging contest entries. Your support will mean we can reach even more participants with free and fun STEM activities!

Total Project Budget: 15,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Henkel, other Family Foundations

Project Duration: The Summer Challenge Series runs for 8 weeks beginning in June each summer. Prep work for the challenges begins in March.
Geographical Area Served: The majority of our participants live in CT or MA, but our virtual platforms means participants can join the challenge from anywhere in the world!
Age Group To Be Served: Challenges are designed for children 12 and under. Past participants in 7th – 12th grade can join our Junior and Senior Boards of Engineers, where they design future challenges and lead the organization.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms
Contact First Name: Nora
Contact Last Name: Lee
Contact Title: Board Vice President
Contact Phone: 8605101943
Contact Email: nora@inventthesummer.org