Ann Bancroft Foundation Awards 165 Fall Grants Totaling $147,713 Across Minnesota

SAINT PAUL (December 17, 2025) – The Ann Bancroft Foundation is proud to announce its 2025 Fall grant cycle, awarding 165 grants totaling $147,713 to girls and gender-expansive youth across 26 Minnesota counties.

The grants will support a wide range of learning experiences, leadership programs, sports opportunities, creative arts instruction, outdoor exploration, and STEM enrichment ensuring that girls across Minnesota have the resources and encouragement to imagine something bigger.

“Every grant we award represents a girl stepping into her power,” said Ethelind B. Kaba, Executive Director, Ann Bancroft Foundation. “Whether they are exploring space, building confidence through sports, conducting research, or creating music,  we are honored to support their journeys.”

Grants were awarded to youth from elementary school through high school, with representation from urban, suburban, and rural communities statewide:

• 70.3% of grants were awarded in the Twin Cities Metro (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties)
• 29.7% were awarded in Greater Minnesota
• Recipients include 27 elementary schoolers, 44 middle schoolers, and 94 high schoolers

The breakdown of awards per county are:

Anoka: 31                                             Le Sueur: 1

Blue Earth: 1                                       Lyon: 1

Brown: 1                                              Nicollet: 1

Carlton: 6                                            Polk: 1

Carver: 2                                             Ramsey: 21

Cook: 2                                                Roseau: 3

Cottonwood: 1                                   Saint Louis: 15

Dakota: 5                                            Scott: 2

Fillmore: 1                                           Sherburne: 6

Freeborn: 1                                         Stearns: 2

Hennepin: 51                                      Stevens: 1

Lake: 3                                                 Waseca: 1

Lake of the Woods: 1                       Washington: 4

“When we invest in young people’s dreams, we strengthen our whole community,” said Ann Bancroft, founder, Ann Bancroft Foundation. “These grantees show what is possible when opportunity meets support.”

Grantee Spotlights

The following are examples that highlight the imagination, determination, and passion of this year’s Fall grantees:

Hazel (Age 9, Hennepin County)
Hazel will attend a week-long space camp to explore gravity, science, and space exploration. “Going to space camp will give me a chance to challenge myself to do things I haven't done before, like traveling to a new state and doing space simulations and learning about space and science.”

Kyra (Age 13, Cottonwood County)

Kyra will participate in competitive gymnastics. Her goal is to qualify for regionals this season, and long-term, to compete in Division I gymnastics. “Progress over perfection! I'm proud of myself every time I go out there and perform the best I can.”

Megan (Age 16, Ramsey County)
Megan will take part in a summer 2026 STEM research trip. She hopes to pursue a career in conservation and animal science. “I want to make a positive impact and contribute to combating climate change… I aim to help protect animals and conserve our planet.”

Nakai (Age 12, Hennepin County)
Nakai will play basketball in the winter and spring as she works toward her dream of joining the WNBA. “Basketball allows me to speak up more, work in a team, and trust myself. I hope to continue building confidence and positive self-talk.”

Nelly (Age 14, Freeborn County)
Nelly will continue her violin studies and purchase her own instrument. “My violin makes me proud of myself and feel like I belong somewhere. My dream is to make music when I’m older.”

Reese (Age 10, St. Louis County)

Reese will travel to Spain in summer 2026 to practice Spanish and explore another culture. “I want to know what it is like to live in these countries, try new things, and eat new foods.”

For interview opportunities, please contact Lauren Skar at 612-361-8195 or email laurens@annbancroftfoundation.org 

About the Ann Bancroft Foundation

The Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF) empowers young women to dream big and pursue their passions. Through grants, mentorship, and ongoing development opportunities, ABF provides the support girls need to step confidently into their futures. 

About Ann Bancroft

Ann Bancroft is a pioneer, a record-breaking polar explorer, and an advocate for bold dreams. The first woman to reach both the North and South Poles across the ice, she led the first all-female expedition to Antarctica and, in 2001, became one of the first women in history to cross Antarctica’s landmass. An educator, author, and champion for women and girls, she founded the Ann Bancroft Foundation to inspire young women to defy limits and carve their own paths. Through adventure and storytelling, she continues to empower the next generation to embrace exploration—of both the world and of themselves. More on Ann’s explorations at https://bancroftarnesen.eco/.