Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: New England Science & Sailing Foundation
Legal Name (if Different): New England Science & Sailing Foundation, Inc.
Also Known As: NESS
Mailing Address: 72 Water Street, P.O. Box 733
City: Stonington
State: CT
Postal Code: 06378
Main Phone: (860)-535-9362
Main Fax: (860)-535-9363
Organization Website: https://nessf.org/
Employer ID Number: 30-0245251
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 3, 2026
Requested Amount: $ 5,000

Project Title: New London Partner Program
Project Description:

The purpose of this request is to support NESS’s efforts to provide impactful hands-on academic enrichment activities to 500 K-12 students from New London. New London Public Schools are comprised of a diverse student population. In addition, 86% of students in the school district qualify for Free or Reduced Priced Meals, 32% are multilingual learners, and 26% of students have chronic absenteeism. Students in the district fail to meet state academic performance standards in science and math (the District Performance Index (DPI) in math was 42% and the science DPI was 46% compared to a state goal of 75%). NESS’s curriculum aligns with state science standards and can help students by providing hands-on examples of challenging content. We also provide marine science and adventure learning activities outside both in the local watershed and on the water.
The program collaborates with community organizations including the New London Public Schools, Drop-In Learning Center, New London Youth Affairs, the Salvation Army and more to bring experiential learning opportunities to these underserved students and families. Program activities include afterschool programs, summer programs as well as evening and weekend programs.

The most common activity is after-school programs at partner organizations. During the after-school program, NESS educators travel to community organizations to offer 60-90 minute programs to students of various ages. Programs use NESS’s STEM-based ocean adventure curriculum linked to Next Generation Science Standards. All programs are experiential-based with hands-on, engaging activities.

Total Project Budget: $ 586,937

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: City of New London (ARPA), $139,000; State of Connecticut (AmeriCorps), $61,000; Scripps Family Fund, $ 40,000; State of Connecticut (Youth Services Program), $4,600; Dominion Energy Foundation $ 2,500; Laura J. Niles Foundation, $ 5,000 Potential: Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, $25,000; Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation, $ 4,000; TK Foundation, $15,000; Chamber of Commerce Eastern CT, $5,000; New London Water Authority $ 5,000; Swantz Family Foundation, $ 5,000; Dime Bank Foundation $ 5,000; Chelsea Groton Foundation $ 5,000; 2026 Kay Svitek Foundation, $ 6,000; NESS Individual Donations and Special Fundraising Events: $250,000- $270,000 (historical annual giving)

Project Duration: September 1, 2026 to August 31,2027
Geographical Area Served: New London, CT
Age Group To Be Served: Youth (5-17 years old)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Roy
Contact Last Name: Pietro
Contact Title: Grants Officer
Contact Phone: (860)-535-9362
Contact Email: rpietro@nessf.org