Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by U.S. Figure Skating

Description
The Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund provides targeted financial support to promising Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) figure skaters to help them develop their skills and reach their highest athletic potential. Awards are distributed annually and emphasize personal qualities as well as athletic progress. The program links monetary assistance with mentorship and recognition of character traits that reinforce long-term success in the sport.

Key takeaways
- **Purpose:** Financially support training and development for BIPOC figure skaters.
- **Scope:** Annual awards focused on athlete progress and potential.
- **Outcome:** Help recipients realize maximum athletic potential.
- **Emphasis:** Investment in both performance and personal development.

Eligibility
Eligibility centers on athlete identity, membership, and recent competitive experience. Applicants or nominees must identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), be current members of U.S. Figure Skating, and be active competitors in singles, pairs, or ice dance. They must also have competed at a U.S. Figure Skating sectional final at specified levels within the last two competitive seasons and be registered to compete in the current season.

Key takeaways
- **Identity requirement:** Candidates must be BIPOC.
- **Membership:** Must be a current U.S. Figure Skating member.
- **Disciplines:** Open to singles, pairs, and ice dance competitors.
- **Competitive history:** Sectional final participation once in the past two seasons; registered for the current season.

Selection criteria
Recipients are chosen for a combination of competitive involvement and demonstrable character traits. The selection process favors athletes who exemplify good sportsmanship, commitment, perseverance, and determination while showing the potential to advance in the sport. Athletic results at appropriate levels are considered alongside these personal attributes.

Key takeaways
- **Character:** Sportsmanship, commitment, perseverance, and determination are central.
- **Competitive context:** Selection weighs recent competitive participation and potential.
- **Holistic review:** Both personal qualities and skating achievements inform decisions.

Administration and partners
The award is administered jointly by U.S. Figure Skating and the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation. The program was created to reflect and honor the ideals associated with Mabel Fairbanks, a U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame member. These organizations coordinate application intake, selection logistics, and award distribution.

Key takeaways
- **Lead organizations:** U.S. Figure Skating and the Lisa McGraw Foundation.
- **Inspirational namesake:** Built on the ideals of Hall of Famer Mabel Fairbanks.
- **Operational role:** Partners manage application, selection, and awards annually.

Application timeline and process
Applications are submitted online via the designated application form; applicants must create a Formsite account to complete and submit the form. Specific deadlines, required attachments, and submission windows are announced each award cycle by U.S. Figure Skating and the Lisa McGraw Foundation. Prospective applicants should consult the official program page or contact the administering organizations for the current year’s timeline and any document requirements.

Key takeaways
- **How to apply:** Submit the online application through Formsite (account required).
- **Deadlines:** Dates and windows are published annually by the program.
- **Where to confirm:** Check official U.S. Figure Skating or Lisa McGraw Foundation announcements for current instructions.

Award value
The fund’s grants are intended to support training and development expenses for recipients, but specific award amounts and the number of recipients are announced on a year-by-year basis. Award uses commonly include coaching, ice time, travel for competition, and other development-related costs. Applicants should review official yearly announcements for exact award values and any restrictions on use.

Key takeaways
- **Purpose of funds:** Support training, development, and related expenses.
- **Variable amounts:** Exact award size and recipient count vary by year.
- **Confirmation source:** See the program’s annual announcement for details.

History of the award
The program honors Mabel Fairbanks, a pioneering figure in U.S. figure skating and a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. It was established to carry forward her legacy by expanding opportunity and access for BIPOC athletes. Since its inception, the fund has operated on an annual cycle administered by the two partner organizations.

Key takeaways
- **Namesake:** Named for Hall of Famer Mabel Fairbanks.
- **Mission legacy:** Created to extend Fairbanks’ ideals of inclusion and perseverance.
- **Cadence:** Operates as an annual award program administered by partner organizations.

For current application links, deadline dates, and official award announcements, refer to the U.S. Figure Skating website or the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation communications.