BLOOMINGTON — Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington is proud to announce a transformational scholarship initiative made possible through a partnership with the Ann St. John Legacy Foundation, creating greater access to affordable summer and school break programming for local families.
The Ann St. John Legacy Foundation awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington a $265,000 gift to support scholarships that will significantly reduce fees for Summer Camps and annual Break Camps. This investment was matched dollar for dollar by community donors, bringing the total available funding for scholarships and long-term support to $530,000.
This funding represents a major investment in reducing financial barriers for families who rely on the Club for affordable, high-quality youth programming while school is out.
Although afterschool programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington costs just $20 annually per child, summer and school break programs still carry a fee of $20 per day or $100 per week. While scholarships are available, current funding only allows the organization to fulfill approximately 30% of scholarship requests received each year.
“As the cost of living continues to rise for families across our community, we know that access to safe, enriching programming during school breaks is more important than ever,” said Leslie Abshier, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington. “This partnership allows us to take a meaningful step forward in keeping camps and break days affordable for the children and families who need us most.”
The Ann St. John Legacy Foundation was created from what would have been Ann St. John’s retirement, transforming her vision into a lasting philanthropic legacy. A longtime Bloomington entrepreneur, Ann was known for her generosity, a direct approach to problem-solving, and her belief in helping children and families build stronger futures by removing barriers to opportunity.
“This gift is about much more than scholarship dollars,” said Jane St. John, Ann’s sister and President of the Ann St. John Legacy Foundation. “It means parents can go to work or continue their education knowing their children are safe, supported, and learning all day long. It means more kids have access to a place where they belong and the opportunity to grow into who they are meant to be.”
In addition to immediate scholarship support, a portion of the funds will help build long-term sustainability for future scholarships, ensuring this opportunity continues for years to come.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington or to apply for a scholarship, visit our website at https://bgcbloomington.org/breakdays/. To help sustain the scholarship moving forward, visit https://bgcbloomington.org/donate/
