"It only takes one...
one teacher, one parent or guardian, one friend or one advocate. It only takes one positive person or experience to make that crucial difference in a child's life. These girls and young women have all of the strength, light and energy to become the positive community leaders of tomorrow that this world is in desperate need of. It's up to people and organizations like ours to help them recognize their talents and help them to grow."
Kathryn, 2008 Mentor
Success Stories
The girls who receive Micro Grants from the Ann Bancroft Foundation all have a story. Their stories are unique, and inspiring, and moving. The experiences these girls had were life-changing for them, and the ABF is there to lend a helping hand in making their dreams come true.
Tyaneka
Tyaneka dreamed of becoming the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college, and hoped that by going to a basketball camp at the University of Minnesota she could attain a basketball scholarship. In her family, Tyaneka is the oldest of five siblings and is seen as a second mother, so she wanted to work hard to not only succeed herself, but also to show her brothers and sisters what they could achieve with hard work. In 2008, Tyaneka applied for and received a Micro Grant from the Ann Bancroft Foundation to attend a basketball camp run by the U of M head coach, Pam Borton. This experience showed Tyaneka how important working hard is in both basketball and school, and the Lynx players motivated her to excel at both. Tyaneka had the experience of a life-time, and will forever remember the role models she met at the camp and the things they taught her.
Aubrey and Brittany
Aubrey and Brittany dreamed of swimming with dolphins, however they were afraid of deep water. In effort to overcome their fear, they applied for a Micro Grant to take a two day canoe and camping trip in the Boundary Waters. Both girls come from very difficult backgrounds, and this experience was a chance to prove to their families and themselves that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. The trip was an amazing experience for all the members involved. They learned a lot not only about camping and canoeing, but also about themselves. It was a trip that they will always remember, and will always be proud to say they accomplished their goals.
Annabelle
Annabelle dreamed of becoming a lawyer, and along with a group of friends applied for a Micro Grant to participate in the Youth in Government Leadership Program. Annabelle wanted to be a part of the mock government element of YIG because she wanted to help people other then herself, and because she wanted to gain confidence in speaking up for things she believed in. Annabelle accomplished these goals and more. She "was able to step outside of her shell and do things [she] didn't think she could do," and made friends with people she never thought she would talk to.
Ariane
Ariane dreamed of becoming a horse trainer or a veterinarian. When she applied for her grant, Ariane had already been training with her horse, Little Elf, for some time. She was well on her way to being ready to jump in the biggest show of the year when Ariane received terrible news - Little Elf had died. She was devastated by this news, however Ariane refused to give up. When asked to take care of a friend's horse for a few months, Ariane jumped at the chance, and set her dreams back into action. With her new horse Draugan, Ariane competed in a number of shows and placed well in all. Even though her experience did not go as planned, she "learned to never give up, and overcame many challenges and obstacles." Ariane was able to recognize that just like any dream, there are challenges, and she refused to let the challenge of losing her horse stop her from working towards her goal.
Masha
Masha dreamed of one day attending an Ivy League Law School, so she applied for a grant to visit Harvard and see first hand what such a school is like. After receiving the grant, Masha traveled to Boston with her mentor and had the experience of a lifetime. Masha was able to see how her hard work in middle and high school could pay off in the future. Already, she has decided to look at undergrad programs in the Boston area. Masha's trip to Harvard helped her to get one step closer to achieving her dream of attending an Ivy League Law School, and was an experience she will never forget.
about our founder…
Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams.
keep in touch…
Ann Bancroft Foundation
808 14th Avenue SE
Minneapolis, 55414
612-676-9484
email us
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The Ann Bancroft foundation could not fulfill its mission without the generous support of our volunteers and donors.