The Ann Bancroft Foundation Spring Grant Cycle Awards 140 Minnesota Girls More Than $120,000 To Help Fund Their Dreams

 

ST. PAUL, MN (June 2, 2023) – The Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF) is proud to announce its 2023 spring grant cycle resulted in awards to 140 Minnesota girls. The organization’s grant programs are part of its mission to help local girls have the support, inspiration, and resources to help make their dreams come true. This spring, for the very first time, ABF increased the grant maximum from $500 to $1000.

“Our goal is to break down the financial and societal barriers that hold girls back from accomplishing all that they are capable of,” says Ethelind B. Kaba, the Executive Director of the Ann Bancroft Foundation. “This increased grant maximum will expand what is possible for girls. With this grant cycle, we can go even further in supporting girls as they unlock their potential for their selves and their communities.”

ABF grants have funded a wide range of transformational activities and experiences including the following examples from the award cycle this spring:

Lydia (10) from St. Paul hopes to be a writer and will participate in the Destination Imagination Challenge, a creative STEAM-focused group competition.

Ninamay (17) from International Falls is not sure what her future holds, but wants to experience new things and make her family proud. She will attend Camp Atsokan for Young Writers this summer.

Allison (17) from Duluth dreams of going to college and becoming a Deaf or Hard of Hearing teacher or librarian. She will participate in an American Sign Language Immersion Program at Gallaudet University, a higher learning institution for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Kes (8) from Greenbush will use her grant to enter rodeo competitions and buy horse riding gear. She dreams of participating in rodeos and becoming “so good the boys get nervous when my name is on the competition list.”

Lydia (16) from Duluth wants to compete on a college ski team and will go on a trip to the West Yellowstone Rendezvous Nordic Ski trails.

Madeline (15) from Winona plans to become a United States Senator and will attend the YMCA’s National Judicial Competition in July.

The breakdown of awards per county are: 

Anoka: 6

Beltrami: 1

Carlton: 2

Carver: 1

Dakota: 5

Hennepin: 45

Itasca: 1

Koochiching: 5

Lake: 2

Lyon: 1

Mahnomen: 1

Olmsted: 1

Polk: 2

Ramsey: 38

Roseau: 5

Scott: 2

St. Louis: 10

Sherburne: 6

Stearns: 1

Winona: 1

Wright: 4

Since 1997, ABF has awarded over $2.3 million to 5,500 Minnesota girls in grades K-12. The organization also connects girls to mentors who provide guidance, encouragement and friendship at a critical time in their lives. The grants are investments (up to $1000) that have immediate and lasting impact. This spring is the first grant cycle with a $1000 maximum, with previous cycles awarding up to $500. These grants are about more than giving girls just money. For many, it is the first time someone believed in them, heard their dream and took a stand for them. Each ABF grant opens the window to a world of possibility, providing a young Minnesota girl an opportunity she may have never thought existed. 

How It Works

Each applicant is guided through the application process by an adult mentor who is not in the girl’s immediate family. This can be a teacher, coach, family friend, etc. ABF grants are based on several factors including need which can include, but is not limited to financial need, a personal or family challenge and other barriers. A panel of ABF volunteers reviews applications.  

ABF accepts grant applications twice a year, in fall and spring. Applications are available at: https://www.annbancroftfoundation.org/programs/grant-programs

Contact

Leah Prinz, Communications Specialist

612-361-8192

Leahp@annbancroftfoundation.org