Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

---

Organization Name: Beacon Education
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
Mailing Address: 4100 Sunglow Dr.
City: Wilmington
State: NC
Postal Code: 28405
Main Phone: 9104310509
Main Fax:
Organization Website: beaconeducation.org / www.glowacademy.net
Employer ID Number: 47-3629354
Organization Tax Status: Nonprofit

Proposal Information

---

Today’s Date: 2/27/26
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: She will graduate, go to college, and succeed in life
Project Description:

Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington’s College Access Program is the cornerstone of the school’s mission to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life. As a public charter school serving young women in grades 6–12, GLOW educates a population in which 82% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and more than 70% are first-generation college-bound. GLOW is supported by Beacon Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing equity in education across the Cape Fear region, which also operates Spark Academy, a mixed-income early childhood school designed to expand opportunity from the earliest years.

The College Access Program is intentionally designed to remove the academic, financial, and social barriers that often prevent low-income students from pursuing higher education. Beginning in sixth grade, students receive structured exposure to college and career pathways through campus visits, career exploration events, leadership development, and advisory programming. Support intensifies in high school through individualized college counseling, SAT/ACT preparation, essay workshops, FAFSA completion support, and scholarship guidance. Each senior receives one-on-one advising to navigate applications, financial aid packages, and enrollment decisions.

The program’s impact is measurable and consistent. GLOW’s inaugural class achieved a 93% graduation rate, with 96% enrolling in college and securing more than $3.2 million in merit scholarships. More recently, 100% of seniors applied to and were accepted into college. Since its first graduating class in 2023, seniors have collectively earned over $15 million in merit scholarships.

Complementing traditional college advising, GLOW integrates workforce-aligned pathways such as Culinary Arts and the Sony Digital Media Program, ensuring students graduate with both academic credentials and practical skills. Through sustained guidance, experiential learning, and a strong college-going culture, GLOW’s College Access Program ensures that every student not only gains admission to college but is equipped to persist, graduate, and thrive.

Total Project Budget: 250000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Private funders, corporate contributions, local grants, national grants.

Project Duration: August 2026-June 2027
Geographical Area Served: Cape Fear Region (Wilmington, NC and surronding areas)
Age Group To Be Served: 6th-12th grade

Contact Information

---

Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sarah
Contact Last Name: Brickels
Contact Title: Director of Organizational Development
Contact Phone: 9104310509
Contact Email: sbrickels@beaconeducation.org