Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival
Legal Name (if Different): The Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival
Also Known As: The Gilmore
Mailing Address: 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 101
City: Kalamazoo
State: Michigan
Postal Code: 49007
Main Phone: 2693421166
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.thegilmore.org
Employer ID Number: 38-2868071
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 8/11/2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: The Gilmore Piano Labs
Project Description:

Education and Community Engagement are identified as one of The Gilmore’s five Core Values. Piano Labs was created from The Gilmore’s strong belief that music education should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford private lessons. Beyond enjoyment, musical opportunities provide a wide range of academic and psychological benefits. Music and small group instruction can also positively impact social emotional learning and disrupt negative behaviors in school. Reaching children who might not otherwise have access to these life-enhancing experiences is a top priority for the organization, and has been for decades, leading to a music education program that is among the strongest and most extensive in the region, reaching thousands of people for more than 27 years. All sites are selected because their populations represent historically excluded groups.

The Piano Labs provide in-school music instruction for students from fall to summer. Instructors lead twice weekly 30-minute group piano lessons for students from three elementary schools (grades 2-5); the Young Adult Program; and the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home. Additional programs, in collaboration with other nonprofits serving children and families, are produced during the summer months.

Launched for the 2024-25 school year was a new Labs site. Lincoln Elementary School for International Studies was identified by Kalamazoo Public Schools as a priority site due to the socioeconomic makeup of its historically redlined neighborhood; and a KPS program that helps 150 immigrant students transition into new lives. 96% of its students come from historically excluded groups.

Demand for classes exceeded the available spots from the start. More teachers are needed, but the program is hampered by teachers’ ability to earn more from private lessons than what they can earn through the Labs. The Gilmore is motivated to raise more funds to meet this challenge.

Total Project Budget: $813,682

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Camp Gilmore/Sherman Lake – Fees $3,800 KeysFest – Fees $1,500 Young Adult Piano Lab – Service Fees $2,000 Spring Valley Elementary School – Participant Fees $1,050 Spring Valley Elementary School – Piano Lab Fees $1,400 Woods Lake Piano Lab – Participant Fees $1,950 Woods Lake Elementary School Piano Lab Fees $1,600 Epic Center Participant Fees $7,500 Juvenile Home Piano Lab Fees $2,000 The Harold & Grace Upjohn Foundation $25,000 PNC Foundation $25,000 Kalamazoo Community Foundation $25,000 Okun Foundation $15,000 Eaton Corporation $2,000 MACC/Arts Council Mini Grant $2,680 Colef Fund $6,000 Vilcek Foundation $32,000 Irving S. Gilmore Foundation $370,913 General Operating Funds $287,289

Project Duration: Annual/Fall to Spring (public school year dates vary from year to year)
Geographical Area Served: Kalamazoo County
Age Group To Be Served: 7-10 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Rem
Contact Last Name: Cabrera
Contact Title: Grants Manager
Contact Phone: 2698087588
Contact Email: rcabrera@thegilmore.org