Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Daisy Jopling Foundation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Daisy Joplling Music Mentorship Program
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 72
City: Peekskill
State: NY
Postal Code: 10566
Main Phone: 914-490-0498
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://daisyjoplingfoundation.org/
Employer ID Number: 61-1660881
Organization Tax Status: 501c3 non-profit tax exempt organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 2/20/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Ovation Strings Program
Project Description:

The Ovation Strings Program, started in May 2018 in Peekskill, New York, and continuing to this day, is a free after-school strings program for underprivileged elementary- and middle-school-aged children to learn to play the violin for one hour per week throughout the year. The majority of our students have never held an instrument before and are not old enough to participate in their school district’s instrumental music program. With a maximum class size of 10, the program’s group setting promotes healthy collegial socialization and achieves the benefits of music education for the developing brain. The environment helps students build confidence, and they are encouraged to support their peers constructively. The teachers recruited for the "Ovation Strings" program have experience customizing class content for different age groups and skill levels.

One distinctive component of the "Ovation Strings" program is that our students perform on major stages with their teachers in concerts produced by Daisy Jopling Foundation. DJF has been producing at least one major concert each year in Peekskill, NY, and several concerts in smaller venues in communities with low-income enclaves. At least 20% of the theater tickets are distributed to disenfranchised students and families through public schools and community-based organizations. Throughout the year, students also perform at school events and for civic and faith-based organizations, building confidence through these experiences. Another distinctive feature of the "Ovation Strings" program is its outreach to other community-based music education and public school music programs to support them in applying our model to expand music education to serve any and every child, especially those who are historically marginalized, regardless of their socioeconomic status and ability to pay for lessons. We are seeking funding to expand the program to New Rochelle, Yonkers, and Mt. Vernon, the three poorest cities in Westchester County.

Total Project Budget: $35,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): New York State Council on the Arts (committed), Various private donors (potential and committed)

Project Duration: 12 months
Geographical Area Served: Westchester County, New York
Age Group To Be Served: age 6-13

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Anita
Contact Last Name: Lee
Contact Title: Grants Writer
Contact Phone: 917-318-0278
Contact Email: anitalee1288@yahoo.com