Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Learning Ally, Inc
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Mailing Address: 20 Roszel Road
City: Princeton
State: NJ
Postal Code: 08540
Main Phone: 3363278622
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://learningally.org
Employer ID Number: 13-1659345
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/31/2015
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Ensuring Access to Literacy
Project Description:

Learning Ally is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of struggling readers through proven literacy solutions. Founded in 1948 as Recording for the Blind, Learning Ally has evolved into a leader in accessible educational resources. Our Audiobook Solution empowers students with visual impairments, learning differences, such as dyslexia, and those who read below grade level to access curriculum-aligned materials, improve reading comprehension, and succeed academically. With over 75 years of innovation, we remain committed to ensuring equitable access to literacy resources for all students.
With the nation’s largest library of human-read audiobooks, our solution integrates seamlessly into K – 12 classrooms, providing struggling readers with an effective way to engage with grade-level content. Used in 20% of schools nationwide, it boosts literacy skills, confidence, and classroom participation, fostering a lifelong love of reading.
As financial landscapes shift many schools struggle to afford the resources their students desperately need. The potential closure of the Department of Education raises significant uncertainty, leaving schools in limbo as they plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Without clear federal guidelines, state and local education agencies are making critical decisions about budgets, staffing, services, and resources, leading to delays or reductions in vital support programs.
In response, Learning Ally is strengthening philanthropic partnerships to provide the Audiobook Solution free to schools in need. Without this resource, thousands of students could lose access to the tools they rely on to learn and succeed.
Your support of $10,000 through our Literacy Opportunities Program will directly fund schools for the 2025-2026 school year in underserved communities who are at risk of losing this vital accommodation to student who struggle with literacy and printed text, ensuring equitable access to the literacy tools that change lives. Together, we can bridge the literacy gap and empower every student to thrive.

Total Project Budget: 500000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Louise Washington Charitable Trust: $250,000 Commited, Zarlengo Foundation: $50,000 Commited, Individual donors: $50,000 Commited, Schwartz Family Foundation: $10,000 Pending, Fred C. Rummel Foundation: $20,000 Pending,

Project Duration: Sept 2025 – August 2026: Funds are used on a rolling basis to support school who lose funding to purchase the Audiobook solution.
Geographical Area Served: Nationally
Age Group To Be Served: K-12 grade students

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs
Contact First Name: Brittany
Contact Last Name: Barkow
Contact Title: Director of Foundation Relations
Contact Phone: 336.327.8622
Contact Email: bbarkow@learningally.org