Message From the Executive Director
Twenty-five years ago, a group of visionaries and changemakers got together to reimagine a world different from the one they saw; a new world where girls are encouraged to dream big and feel supported to make those dreams a reality. What happens when you combine girls' dreams with equally passionate mentors and seed grants? Twenty-five years, 5,300 girls, and nearly 2,000 mentors later, we know what happens: girls succeed, and our communities thrive!

We welcome this anniversary year with a recommitment to expanding our work across the state so more early childhood and adolescent girls can have life-changing experiences. Be it a plié on the dance stage, raising a hand in math class, making that swoosh sound in a basketball net, or that butterflies-in-the-stomach plane ride to a pre-college experience, we will continue to nurture those sparks because we know that the benefit to girls and our society is enormous.
 
Twenty-five years later, our mission has never been more critical. Times feel rough in many ways, but girls still dream. And they need us to continue to believe in the vision of their determination. I’m proud of where we are and excited about the opportunities ahead.

Happy 25th! May we continue to find inspiration in stories, celebrate courage in all its shapes and turns, invest in Minnesota girls, and help shape the future of Minnesota. Here's to the next 25 years!
Ethelind B. Kaba

Walk down memory lane with the history of ABF in our 20th anniversary video. We look forward to seeing you at our 25th anniversary bash on April 28th. Details below.
You Are Invited to the Anniversary Celebration
It's our 25th birthday! And we are celebrating with a renewed commitment to reaching more girls as we help address some of the challenges they face today, with the outcome of significantly increasing their chances for future success.

Our evening promises inspirational performances, exciting auctions, and the presentation of the ABF Impact Award to Jan Malcolm, our first board chair.

Join us. Thursday, April 28, 2022 | 5:30 – 9:00pm | The Depot Minneapolis. Purchase tickets or sponsorships here.
Grant Application Is Now Open
Calling All Minnesota Girls to Apply for Grants to Fund a Dream: Our spring grant cycle is officially open through April 1, 2022.

The grants are open to all Minnesota girls in grades K-12 to pursue wide range of activities and experiences including sports camps, music lessons, cultural heritage projects, horseback riding, dancing, travel, writing classes, STEM programs, and so much more.
New Staff
ABF Intern Lauren
Meet Lauren Skar, 2018 Trailblazer and ABF’s new program intern. Lauren joined the Ann Bancroft Foundation in January 2022, supporting initiatives that develop and expand programming for grantees, alumnae, and mentors.

Lauren received a grant in Fall 2018 to play AAU Nationals volleyball with Minnesota North Volleyball Club. A junior at St. Catherine University, she is studying Political Science, Public Policy, and Economics with a minor in Spanish and is a right-side hitter for the St. Kate’s volleyball team. She is the second Trailblazer to serve as our intern from the St. Kate's Center for Community Work and Learning. In her free time, she likes to be outdoors year-round, either hiking or alpine and Nordic skiing.

What energizes you about your role as the program intern?
What energizes you about your role as the program intern?
"As a program intern, it's energizing to know how this work can make a difference for girls in Minnesota. On the receiving side of a grant, I've been in that position where I need funds to pursue an activity, but my family couldn't afford to pay. It's energizing to be making a difference in the lives of many young girls to pursue their dreams, help build their confidence, and be a part of experiences that will have long-lasting impacts."
RESOURCES
Stay Connected