Message From the Executive Director
What does the Ann Bancroft Foundation mean to you? Participate in our strategic planning survey
Twenty-five years ago, a group of visionaries and changemakers came together to encourage Minnesota girls to dream big. Since then, more than 5,300 girls have received support to make those dreams a reality. 
We welcomed this anniversary year with a recommitment to expand our work across the state so more girls can have life-changing experiences. Right now, we’re developing a strategic plan that honors ABF’s 25-year legacy and brings our work into the future with purpose, promise, and clarity.
And we want to invite you to be part of this planning process. We want to hear directly from you: How can we best help Minnesota girls – and gender-expansive youth – achieve their full potential? 
Surveys take less than 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until Thurs., Sept. 29th at noon. 
If you are a Trailblazer and have received a grant from ABF, this survey is for you!
Mentors, activity providers, parents, donors and others are encouraged to fill out this survey. 
We’re excited to learn alongside you, and explore how ABF can continue to help girls across Minnesota dream big. 
Ethelind B. Kaba
Fall 2022 Grant Cycle Closes October 1
The Ann Bancroft Foundation Fall 2022 grant cycle will close on October 1, 2022.
 
The grants are open to Minnesota girls in grades K-12 to connect them to opportunities beyond their everyday worlds. From horseback riding to starting a business to community gardening to pre-college trips to camps to exploring music and art lessons, the possibilities are limitless!
 
Know a K-12 Minnesota girl with a dream? Please spread the word and encourage them to apply.
Self-Care & Stress Management Workshop
In partnership with NAMI Minnesota, ABF invites you to gather virtually to learn skills to avoid burnout, manage stress, and practice self-compassion. This workshop will provide practical information on where anxiety and stress come from, healthy and unhealthy coping strategies, and highlight when anxiety may be an anxiety disorder and where to get help. This workshop is open to Ann Bancroft Foundation Trailblazers (grantees), youth girls, gender-expansive youth, and their advocates (parents, mentors, etc.). Register here. 
We're Hiring!!
The Ann Bancroft Foundation is growing to deepen our support of youth girls in our state. As part of this growth, we are looking for a creative storyteller to join us as our Communications Specialist. Please share widely with your networks. 
Resources
  • Women’s Foundation of Minnesota applications for the 2023 Young Women’s Cabinet are now open! Young women and gender-expansive people between the ages of 16 and 24, especially those from underrepresented communities, are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, October 4. Learn how you can apply 

  • LaunchU!, JA North’s after-school Company Program, begins in the middle of October. Do you have students in the 8th-12th grade who would be interested in running their very own company over the upcoming year, complete with capitalizing, selling products, and making money? They don’t need to know anything yet, just have a hearty dose of enthusiasm and curiosity. Be sure to check out the LaunchU! info webpage

  • As part of Target’s desire to grow girls’ interest in Science and Technology (STEM), Target is seeking nominations for their annual Target EPIC Awards! The EPIC Awards is designed to celebrate and honor young girls (8th-12th grade) that are engaged, passionate, innovative, and curious about the STEM field. To read eligibility guidelines and nominate students, click here

  • Interlochen Center for the Arts is calling all aspiring young writers in grades 8-11 to apply for full-tuition scholarship renewable for up to four years. Submissions are due by Sunday, November 6, 2022. Apply here.

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