The Ann Bancroft Foundation Fall Grant Cycle Awards 132 Minnesota Girls More Than $118,540 To Help Fund Their Dreams

ST. PAUL, MN (December 13, 2024) – The Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF) is proud to announce its 2024 fall grant cycle resulted in awards to 132 Minnesota girls. The Ann Bancroft Foundation inspires and encourages girls to imagine something bigger through grants, mentorship, and ongoing development opportunities that will allow a girl to go after their dreams and feel supported along the way. The organization’s grant programs are part of its mission to help local girl-identifying youth have the support, inspiration, and resources to help make their dreams come true. In 2024, the Ann Bancroft Foundation awarded the most grant money in its 27-year history. 

Ann Bancroft Foundation grants have funded a wide range of transformational activities and experiences including the following examples from the award cycle this fall: 

Beatrice (6th grade, Minneapolis): Beatrice will take sewing classes with her grant. Beatrice dreams of connecting people to who they want to be and find their true sense of self. "These classes will help me find MY true sense of self through design. I want to show people the beautiful things that I make, and encourage others to make their own beautiful clothes. I want people, especially women, to preserve their clothes and alter them to fit their bodies rather than change their bodies to fit into their clothes." 

Birdie (10th grade, Apple Valley): Birdie will take archery lessons with her grant to connect with her indigenous culture. "Through archery, I want to learn more about the skill, my culture, and myself. I also want to learn the meaning behind archery to Native Americans. I have learned, and am still learning, self-advocacy through archery." 

Kashiah (11th grade, Blaine): With the grant, Kash will play her final season of AAU basketball this winter and spring. After sitting out last season while recovering from an ACL/meniscus tear, she learned how important basketball is to her and hopes to study nursing in college and play basketball. " I am proud that I did not give up after my sports injury. I never let myself give up on my sport, no matter how much I struggled with my injury." 

Scarlett (11th grade, Saint Paul): Scarlett will participate in her school's robotics team this year. Scarlett enjoys being on a team working towards one common goal. She shared, "When I was little, I dreamed of being an astronaut because I wanted to do something remarkable. I held onto that want as I grew, but my dream strengthened and narrowed into an achievable dream - something I could do where I was helping people directly and still following my passion for the sciences. I want to be a doctor and use my knowledge to help the world." 

Marlowe (5th grade, Hinckley): Mar will use her grant to take gymnastics classes. "A big bold dream of mine is to compete in college-level gymnastics! Last year, I got to go to a few meets that the UMN Gophers hosted. Meeting those big kids and seeing what you can do if you just keep working hard and practicing was so neat! The grant would allow me to keep working every week in the gym, keep competing, and make it to the college level." 

Selas (12th grade, Rochester): Selas will use her grant to draw, paint, and create 15 art pieces for her first artist portfolio. "My greatest dream is to own a studio/publishing company prioritizing sharing stories made by minority creators. Those who are most outcasted in society are those who have been marginalized by generational discrimination. I believe stories have power; stories influence our biases and perspectives. For that very reason, I want to dedicate my life to creating stories that dismantle our preconceived biases and open people's eyes to perspectives beyond their own." 

The breakdown of awards per county are: 

Anoka: 13                                Nicollet: 1

Benton: 1                                Olmsted: 2

Blue Earth: 1                           Pine: 3

Carlton: 3                                Ramsey: 23

Carver: 2                                 Roseau: 1

Cook: 4                                    St. Louis: 13

Dakota: 8                                 Washington: 9

Hennepin: 47                          Winona: 1

Since 1997, the Ann Bancroft Foundation has awarded over $2.3 million to 5,500 Minnesota girl-identifying youth 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 $1,000) that have immediate and lasting impact. 2024 is the second year with a $1,000 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 Ann Bancroft Foundation Grant opens the window to a world of possibility, providing a young Minnesota girl an opportunity she may never have 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. Ann Bancroft Foundation 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 Ann Bancroft Foundation volunteers review applications. 

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

About Ann Bancroft

Ann Bancroft is one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker, and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams. Bancroft organized and led the first all-women expedition to Antarctica, becoming the first-known woman to reach both Poles across the ice. In 2001 Bancroft and Norwegian Liv Arnesen became the first women in history to cross Antarctica's landmass.