Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Reach Incorporated
Legal Name (if Different): Reach Education Incorporated
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 4737 Meade St. NE
City: Washington, DC
State: District of Columbia
Postal Code: 20019
Main Phone: 202-441-2190
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://reachincorporated.org
Employer ID Number:
Organization Tax Status: 26-4622113

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/5/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Reach’s Teen Publishing Project
Project Description:

Reach, Incorporated is seeking $10,000 to support the Teen Publishing Project (TPP), which enables DC teens from Wards 4, 6, 7, and 8 (neighborhoods that have been historically under-resourced) to become published children’s book authors. Teens who opt into this program are coached by local story coaches as they develop their ideas; the story coaches ensure each book is accessible to second and third-grade readers. Reach teens become part of an elite group breaking into an industry that offers far too few opportunities for burgeoning writers and publishers who happen to live in under-resourced and underserved communities. The Reach authors are also local literacy tutors to elementary school students; the books they write are then integrated into our After-School Tutoring Program curriculum.

Prior to the TPP starting in summer 2023, Reach ran the Teen-Authored Book program since 2013, in partnership with Shout Mouse Press, where close to 25,000 books in circulation. We have since switched to primarily non-fiction, helping young readers build background knowledge on vocabulary and sparking curiosity about the world around them. The Teen Publishing Project offers the chance for teens to shine and have their voices amplified in a supportive and structured environment. Each year, we celebrate the teens with an annual Book Release Party.

Prior to the pandemic, Reach used to distribute TPP books into the community but has not had funding to do so since then. The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation funding will enable Reach to distribute over 500 books to local non-profits in the DMV, with a focus on northern Virginia communities. This will enable us to continue to expand the reach of these books and ensure more youth have the opportunity to read books written by their near-peers, fostering a lifelong love of literacy and learning.

Total Project Budget: $52,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): HumanitiesDC (Pending Renewal), Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation (Pending Renewal), DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (Pending Renewal), Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (Pending Renewal), Diane and Norman Bernstein Foundation (Committed)

Project Duration: October 2026-June 2027
Geographical Area Served: Washington, DC and Northern Virginia
Age Group To Be Served: 7-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Stephanie
Contact Last Name: Wolfe
Contact Title: Development Director
Contact Phone: 571-587-5070
Contact Email: stephanie@reachincorporated.org