Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: FLPS
Mailing Address: 5905 O Street
City: Lincoln
State: NE
Postal Code: 68510
Main Phone: 402-436-1612
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.foundationforlps.org/
Employer ID Number: 36-3490560
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 01/15/2026
Requested Amount: 8500.00

Project Title: SPARK Summer STEM Camp
Project Description:

For many Lincoln, NE families, summer is not a season of enrichment but a period of stress. With 79% of children ages 6 to 17 living in households where all parents are working, access to affordable, reliable summer care is essential. Yet costs continue to rise faster than wages, and nearly 30 percent of local households live at or near the federal poverty level. For these families, a typical $300 weekly camp fee is simply out of reach. This request is to support our SPARK Scholarship fund.

This gap has consequences. Children without access to structured, high quality summer learning are more likely to experience academic loss, fall behind peers, and disengage from learning. In Nebraska, unmet need has grown steadily, with 56% of families reporting they could not enroll their child in summer programming by 2025, most often due to cost and access barriers.

To address this challenge, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools created Spark Summer Learning, a nine-week, licensed STEAM program for elementary students. Spark provides hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through weekly themes such as robotics, food science, environmental studies, animation, and aeronautics. Students engage with local STEAM professionals, explore community learning sites, and build curiosity and confidence in a safe, nurturing environment. Spark also supports workforce stability by employing Lincoln Public Schools teachers during the summer.

In summer 2026, Spark will serve up to 150 (350 unique students) students per week across nine weeks. Approximately 45% of participants will receive scholarships based on Free and Reduced Lunch eligibility and income thresholds. By removing financial barriers, Spark ensures that income does not determine access to high quality summer learning, helping students sustain academic skills, families remain stable, and Lincoln’s future workforce grow stronger.

Total Project Budget: $402,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): $325,000 committed – from registration fees, individual and corporate donors and private foundations

Project Duration: May 1 – August 31, 2026
Geographical Area Served: Lincoln NE
Age Group To Be Served: 5 to 14 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Susan
Contact Last Name: Carr
Contact Title: Development Specialist
Contact Phone: 4024361411
Contact Email: susan.carr@lps.org