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Dear Friends,
Happy New Year, albeit a little belated! We may be closing out January, but we are thrilled to kick off the year with our very first 2024 newsletter. As always, our dedication to amplifying the voices and power of Minnesota girl-identifying youth remains steadfast.
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A LOOK BACK AT 2023: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | | |
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Our 2023 Year in Review
Thank you to everyone who helped make 2023 an incredible year for the Ann Bancroft Foundation!
In 2023, we welcomed new team members, ushered in our first cohort of Trailblazer Fellows, increased our grant amounts, profiled incredible leaders, engaged with our community, and so much more! We are so excited to continue breaking barriers and uplifting girls in 2024.
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Learn About our Impact
For our 2022-2023 Impact Report, we led with the theme “Unleashing Potential.” With inspiring stories, passionate letters, and compelling facts and figures, this report shows how much investing in girls can change our world.
“The best part [of my grant activity] was that I was surrounded by other young women who were also interested in science!” - Dr. Annie Ciernia, 2002 grant recipient.
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CHARTING OUR COURSE FOR 2024 | |
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We are eager to share innovative initiatives and inspiring stories we have in store for 2024. There is much to look forward to in the months ahead. Stay tuned as we unveil details and invite you to be part of these exciting initiatives.
First, our spring grant cycle will open on February 1st. Each grant cycle from the Ann Bancroft Foundation means so much more than the sum of its parts. When girls access new opportunities, they change what is possible for everyone's future. In January 2024, the Professional Women's Hockey League kicked off their first games. Now, girls who love hockey can dream bigger about their futures. Join the Ann Bancroft Foundation in redefining what is possible for girls today.
Interested in attending a Professional Women's Hockey League game? Read below for details on our silent auction!
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Hockey Dreams
10th grader Ileini received a grant in Fall 2023 for hockey camp and hopes to be a professional hockey player one day.
Q: What is one way that you plan to challenge yourself in 2024?
A: I’m going to be more outgoing when it comes to my future. When I go to the college hockey camp, I’m going to reach out and connect with the coaches and professionals that are available.
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Celebrating the Gift of Girlhood
The Ann Bancroft Foundation staff and board hope you will save the date for our annual event on Thursday, April 25th at the Minneapolis Depot to celebrate all the gifts that Minnesota girls have to offer!
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Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you interested in creating new opportunities for girls? Want to celebrate the joy, audacity, and fearlessness that girls embody? Consider becoming a sponsor for our event! Click the link below to learn more information about the impact of your sponsorship.
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Contribute to our Auction
You won't want to miss our live and silent auctions! A donation to our auction will help us uplift girls across the state. Read more details below!
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Join us at Bent Paddle Brewing on February 8th
The Ann Bancroft Foundation is coming to Duluth! Come to Bent Paddle Brewing, 1832 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55806 on Thursday, February 8th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Enjoy inspiring speakers, give-aways and a silent auction. Food will also be available for purchase from Bowlz N Thangz food truck. The first 15 people to arrive will receive a free ABF tee shirt! Our event will be followed by live music from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
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Place your Bid for Our Silent Auction!
Even if you can't make it to Bent Paddle Brewing, you still have a chance to win excellent items in our silent auction. Win a gift basket from a local vendor, a snowboard, tickets to the inaugural season of Minnesota's women's professional hockey team, and more! This is your chance to uplift girls across Minnesota! The auction goes live on Feb. 6th at 7:00 PM and closes on Feb. 8th at 7:00 PM
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Boundary Waters Teen Essay Contest
The contest is for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in the chance to win a fully outfitted five-day canoe-camping adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with two or three of their friends. Deadline to submit essay is February 4, 2024.
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National Girls and Women in Sport Day at Macalester College
Celebrate women and girls in sports on Saturday, February 3rd, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Macalester College Leonard Center, 125 Snelling Ave. South. K-8 girls are invited for team-building activities, mini skills stations, empowerment stations, pizza, and tee-shirts. Girls can connect with with student-athletes and staff, as well as the Strong Girls United Foundation.
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Free admission to MN Children's Museum
The Minnesota Children’s Museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Reservations are required.
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Celebrate Women's Sports
Don't miss the TRIA Female Athletic Summit on Friday, March 8th. Hear speeches from experts about the science of women in sports and how to best support athletes in their excellence. Our Executive Director, Ethelind B. Kaba and Lea B. Olsen will deliver the keynote conversation, "Amplifying the Female Voice." Join virtually or in person at Huntington Bank Stadium.
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To the Poles and Back Again with Ann Bancroft | Do you know how exactly Ann Bancroft found herself on that first polar exhibition? Listen to this podcast to find out! In Wild Ideas Worth Living, a podcast run by REI, Shelby Stanger talks to Ann Bancroft about her experiences with polar exploration and beyond. Listen with the link below or wherever you get your podcasts! | | |
Coming Up at Twin Cities Pride!
This week, Twin Cities pride announced that Carley Knox will serve as the 2024 Grand Marshall. Carley serves as a dedicated member of the Ann Bancroft Foundation board. She also works as the President of Business Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, advancing women's sports across the state. Congratulations to Carley for her unending work in uplifting marginalized voices.
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Thank you for your continued support. Your belief in our mission fuels our commitment to creating a world where every girl-identifying youth will have the opportunity to dream big and achieve her goals.
As we embark on this exciting journey together, let's make 2024 a year of power, growth, and endless possibilities.
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