Dashboard

Ann Bancroft Foundation

A nonprofit organization

The Ann Bancroft Foundation empowers girls to imagine something bigger and helps them reach their full potential.

The Urgency to Positively Impact Girls
Without a doubt, the last three years have impacted everyone, and existing gender disparity gaps continue to widen. In Minnesota, data shows that girls and gender expansive youth (grades K-12), especially from historically excluded communities, have been among those most impacted in health, safety, and education. In addition, data from the CDC shows that adolescent mental health-related ER visits have gone up 31% during COVID-19. Girls accounted for a 50% increase in suspected suicide attempts; boys experienced a 4% increase. Minnesota girls need us now more than ever. Thankfully, we know that self-efficacy is one of the protective psychological barriers known to mediate the effects of traumatic events. We also know that ABF grants allow girls to participate in activities and experiences that increase self-efficacy and equip them with the skills needed to thrive and believe in their ability to be unstoppable.

This month, we will award $75,000 in grants to girls from around the state who asked us to support their dreams in their grant applications this fall.

Supporting Girls & Investing in Tomorrow’s Leaders
For the past 25 years, the purpose of the Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF) has been to invest in the futures of girls and equip them with the skills needed to thrive. ABF supports and fosters high levels of achievement and empowerment in girls by leveraging grants, mentorship, and development opportunities to boldly inspire girls to imagine something bigger and instill in them the belief in their ability to succeed. To date, ABF has awarded more than $2 million to 5200 Minnesota girls in grades K-12 to fund a wide range of activities and experiences. Black, Indigenous, Latina, Asian and immigrant girls represent more than 60 percent of those we serve. Grants from ABF are not transactional. They do not just cover an activity or pay for a pre-college trip. Our grants are transformational. They tell girls they are valued, that we celebrate their dreams, and that we believe in the future they see for themselves.

Celebrating Courage and Resiliency
As we read through grant applications from girls across Minnesota, it remains clear that amidst all adversities, Minnesota girls have continued to dream big and imagine their futures with hope, tenacity, and courage. During 2022, as continues to celebrate our 25th anniversary with a renewed commitment to reaching more girls across all counties in Minnesota as we create a pipeline of tomorrow’s leaders who believe in their power and courageously wield it to transform their communities. Thank you for your partnership to help Minnesota girls achieve their vision and reach their full potential. It matters so very much.

MEET SOME 2022 TRAILBLAZERS

Isabelle (16) from International Falls, hopes to become a professional writer and will attend Camp Atsokan for Young Writers.
Nyahna (13) from Crystal, wants to go to cosmetology school and will be touring HBCU schools in the fall.
Mya (6) from Mankato, has a dream to publish a book with characters that look different and just like the friends she sees in the world and will be publishing a book with the Equity Network.
Aubrey (13) from Minneapolis who wants to attend hockey camp to grow her skills and make her high school’s hockey team next year.
Kiera (15) from Albertville, dreams to become a biologist, so she will be going on a research trip to Costa Rica.
Yifan (16) from Woodbury is using her grant to further a tutoring non-profit that she is closely involved with. "I've always dreamed of being able to do something that makes a difference, it shows that you can be a teenager and still take action on issues you care about".
Grace (17) from Minneapolis is using her grant to attend a French-language camp. Grace's goal is to become fluent in French and visit France one day. This camp will allow Grace to study French over the summer and continue in during her senior year of high school.
Hawthorne (13) from Minneapolis is using her grant to professionally mix and master two original songs. She said "I hope to become better as an artist through this activity, as well as learn how to conduct myself when doing business with other industry professionals. I am extremely confident that music is what I want to do for the rest of my life, so any exposure and experience I can obtain helps to set me on a path for future success".