Ann Bancroft Foundation Grant 2025

The Ann Bancroft Foundation (ABF), established in 1997, is a Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls across the state to recognize and achieve their full potential. Since its inception, ABF has awarded more than $2.3 million in funding to over 5,300 Minnesota girls. The foundation’s mission is to support youth in building confidence, self-esteem, and resilience by providing financial support for educational, cultural, athletic, leadership, and entrepreneurial pursuits. The organization emphasizes personal growth, self-recognition of abilities, and opportunities that challenge girls to expand their horizons. The ABF grant program is designed for Minnesota residents in Kindergarten through 12th grade who identify as girls. This includes those who are cisgender, transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary. Applicants may request up to $1,000 to fund activities that promote personal development. Examples include participation in arts programs, cultural and leadership initiatives, wilderness or outdoor experiences, athletic training and equipment, technology access, writing and publishing opportunities, and even business start-up costs. The grant is intentionally flexible, allowing applicants to define their dreams and goals while ensuring that the funding supports meaningful growth. The program operates on a semiannual cycle with two application deadlines each year, April 1 and October 1. For the current cycle, the fall 2025 application period is open, with submissions due by October 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM CDT. Notifications of award decisions are sent by November 20 for the fall cycle, while spring cycle applicants receive notification by May 20. Applications open approximately one to two months before each deadline, giving applicants and their mentors time to prepare thoughtful submissions. Because the grant is recurring, interested students may reapply during future cycles if they continue to meet eligibility requirements. A central element of the application process is the selection of a mentor. Each applicant must identify a trusted adult, such as a teacher or family friend, who will act as a mentor throughout the process. The mentor provides support, encouragement, and guidance in drafting responses to the application questions. Both the applicant and mentor, along with a parent or guardian, must sign the application. The foundation advises applicants to draft responses carefully, focusing on how the proposed activity will foster personal growth, confidence, and self-discovery. The evaluation committee reviews each application with great attention, considering both the applicant’s vision and the mentor’s perspective. The Ann Bancroft Foundation disburses funds directly to service providers rather than to the applicants themselves. Awardees are responsible for securing invoices from activity providers and submitting them to ABF for payment. This ensures that funds are used for their intended purposes. There are no explicit matching requirements, and the number of awards made in each cycle depends on available funding. While the exact number of awards varies, the foundation strives to support as many applicants as possible each year. Questions regarding the grant can be directed to the foundation’s staff. The primary contact email for application inquiries is grants@annbancroftfoundation.org, and applicants may also call 612-338-5752 for assistance. The foundation’s office is located at 2356 University Avenue West, Suite 404, St. Paul, MN 55114. Additional resources, including mentor guidance, application tips, and outreach materials, are available on the organization’s website. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review these materials in advance of applying to strengthen their submissions and better understand the expectations of the review committee.

Provide clear and detailed responses; review writing tips and mentor guidance provided by ABF.