BIO GIRLS IS ON A MISSION TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS THROUGH EMPOWERMENT OF SELF AND CONNECTION WITH OTHERS.
Atthe heart of BIO Girls are the girls we serve — girls navigating a world that often asks them to grow up too fast, compare too often, and doubt themselves too deeply. They face pressures around body image, social media, belonging, and self-worth at younger ages than ever before. Yet within each girl is resilience, strength, and possibility. Our vision is a future where every girl knows her value, trusts her voice, and steps forward with confidence — not someday, but now.
Making that future possible are our incredible volunteers. They are the mentors, coaches, and role models who show up consistently, listen deeply, and lead with compassion. Their time, energy, and belief in our girls turn curriculum into connection and programs into life-changing moments. BIO Girls exists because of their willingness to say yes to showing up, yes to encouraging growth, and yes to walking alongside girls when it matters most.
And to our donors: Your generosity fuels every step of this journey. Your investment ensures that our programs remain accessible, impactful, and rooted in evidencebased practices. Because of you, girls across the Midwest are gaining the tools they need to build confidence, resilience, and healthy relationships. You are doing more than funding a program — you are shaping a generation of girls who believe in themselves and their potential.
Together, our girls, volunteers, and supporters have created something powerful. This annual report is a reflection of that collective impact and a celebration of what’s possible when a community comes together to lift girls up.
With gratitude,
Missy Heilman • BIO Girls Founder & CEO
Our vision is a future where every girl knows her value, trusts her voice, and steps forward with confidence — not someday, but now.
thank you, 2025 BIO Girls official partners
“Essentia Health is proud to be a supporter and partner of BIO Girls. At Essentia, our mission is to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.
By promoting self-confidence and empowering young girls through sports, mentorship and teamwork, BIO Girls exemplifies this mission. I have personally seen the positive impact this organization has had in the Fargo community.
We are honored to help them expand their reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of more young girls.”
– Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, West Market President, Essentia Health
melody’s story
4 YEARS OF GROWTH
When Melody started BIO Girls as a second grader in South Dakota, she was navigating the uncertainty of a new learning disability diagnosis and a lack of confidence. Everything began to shift when she found her “BIO Girls bestie,” a friendship that provided a sense of belonging and lasted through middle school. Melody’s mom was so moved by the transformation that she joined as a mentor, witnessing firsthand how the program was helping her daughter find her voice and her strength.
By the time Melody finished her final session in sixth grade, the change was remarkable. Her IEP team raved about her newfound confidence, and she had traded her hesitation for a passion for cross country. Melody’s journey from a struggling student to a self-assured athlete shows what happens when a girl is given consistent support and the time to discover who she is meant to be.
FROM A STRUGGLING SECOND GRADER TO A CONFIDENT MIDDLE
SCHOOLER WITH HER BEST FRIEND BY HER SIDE.
16,781 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS SINCE INCEPTION 2025
PARTICIPANTS 2924 SITES 118
PARTICIPANTS 2855 SITES 103
PARTICIPANTS 2263 SITES 75
PARTICIPANTS 2725 SITES 91
PARTICIPANTS 1657 SITES 45
PARTICIPANTS 1477 SITES 48
PARTICIPANTS 1280 SITES 32
PARTICIPANTS 760 SITES 19
PARTICIPANTS 440 SITES 11
PARTICIPANTS 200 SITES 5
PARTICIPANTS 80 SITES 2
PARTICIPANTS 80 SITES 2
PARTICIPANTS 40 SITES 1
project 1-in-6
THE NORTH DAKOTA STORY
In 2021, we set a bold goal: to reach 1-in-6 North Dakota girls. At the time, BIO Girls was impacting 1-in-25 girls across our great state. Over the past three years, our team worked tirelessly and our volunteers showed up with heart, passion, and purpose.
While we didn’t quite reach the 1-in-6 mark, this is not a story about falling short — it’s a story about growth. Just like we teach our BIO Girls, success
isn’t just about the final number; it’s about the progress, perseverance, and impact along the way.
In 2021, we served 945 girls. By 2025, that number grew to nearly 1,800. Let that sink in. We doubled the number of girls who experienced confidence, connection, and belonging through BIO Girls — and that is absolutely worth celebrating.
amanda’s story
FINDING THEIR PLACE
Amanda was looking for a place where her daughters could grow without the pressure of competitive sports. In Alexandria, Minnesota, she found BIO Girls, a “third space” that offered the benefits of a team environment without the stress of winning or losing. It became a vital outlet where her daughters felt they belonged simply for being themselves, supported by mentors who poured heart and soul into every session.
Because of the program’s financial assistance, both of Amanda’s daughters were able to participate and build a foundation for their mental and physical health. Now in their third year, Amanda sees the long-term impact in their growing confidence and the way they care for themselves. BIO Girls provided more than just a weekly activity: it gave them a community that celebrates their unique value.
PARTICIPANTS GRADE
Grade
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
1,258
GIRLS RECEIVED FULL OR PARTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
PERCENT OF IMPACT BY STATE
2,924
TOTAL PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANTS ETHNICITY
118
PROGRAM LOCATIONS
Chose not to Provide American Indian or Alaska Native Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Asian Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
841 $273,935
GIRLS RECEIVED FULL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED
FAVORITE PART OF THE PROGRAM, ACCORDING TO PARTICIPANTS
RELATIONSHIP WITH MENTOR
MEETING NEW FRIENDS
61% 45% 48%
ACCOMPLISHING GOALS + PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
amelia’s story
BUILDING A TOOLKIT
When BIO Girls launched in Washburn, North Dakota, Amelia’s mom was hopeful but unsure what to expect for her fifth-grade daughter. Amelia was facing daily struggles and needed a new set of skills to help her navigate the challenges of growing up. By the end of the first season, the program had exceeded every expectation by providing Amelia with a practical toolkit of skills to use when things feel hard.
These small shifts led to big changes at home, from Amelia asking to stay active every day to reading her daily devotional each evening. The program also supported Amelia’s mom by providing a shared language and weekly mantras that now hang throughout their house. Even in its first year in the community, BIO Girls gave the entire family a clear path toward growth and intentionality.
caregiver feedback
94.7 % 77 %
RECOMMEND THE PROGRAM TO OTHERS
RATED THE PROGRAM AS EXCEPTIONAL
72 %
NOTICE DIFFERENCE IN SELF - ESTEEM
BIO
GIRLS DIDN’T JUST GIVE AMELIA TOOLS, IT GAVE HER WHOLE FAMILY A SHARED LANGUAGE FOR GROWTH.
68 %
NOTICE DIFFERENCE IN OTHER AREAS
PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
91 %
87 % OF GIRLS MAINTAINED OR INCREASED SELF - ESTEEM.
OF GIRLS WITH HIGH ANXIETY DECREASED TO MILD OR MINIMAL ANXIETY
christine’s story
A SAFE PLACE TO BELONG
Christine joined BIO Girls in Appleton, Wisconsin, as a mentor ready to give back, but she didn’t realize how much she would receive in return. Her small group of four girls came from different backgrounds and schools, yet they immediately formed a bond that took her breath away. Christine watched as they created a “safe place” for one another, opening up about their dreams and leaning on each other for support.
Watching this circle of friendship take shape brought Christine to tears more than once. She realized that while the curriculum is powerful, the real magic happens in the moments of connection and encouragement between the girls. By the end of the 12 weeks, Christine felt that being a mentor was a profound blessing, offering her the chance to be the guide these girls needed as they discovered who they are becoming.
91% 67%
VOLUNTEERS THAT WOULD MENTOR AGAIN
VOLUNTEERS WHO RATED THE EXPERIENCE AS EXCEPTIONAL
1,122 932 236
TOTAL VOLUNTEERS
MENTORS LEADERS
donors
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO SUPPORT OUR MISSION.
Your gifts have directly impacted the mental and physical well-being of thousands of adolescent girls.
FOUNDATION PARTNERS
“We give our time and resources to BIO Girls because we’ve seen the impact firsthand. Our daughter has gained confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self, while we’ve had the privilege of supporting girls across our community as they discover their own strength. As a mentor, I’ve been reminded of and learned just as much as I’ve taught—the skills and lessons taught continue to be used throughout their lives.”
- Jennifer Quast Johnsrud and Rory Johnsrud | BIO Girls Donors
“BIO Girls matters to me because I see so much of my younger self in their mission — a 7-year-old girl who already felt like she wasn’t enough, and carried that weight for far too long. These girls deserve steady voices in their corner and tools I had to learn the hard way. BIO Girls creates confidence, connection, and a safe place to grow — not just for the girls, but for the families who love them. I support BIO Girls proudly, hoping every girl grows up knowing her value, feeling at home in her body, and believing ‘I can do hard things’ long before the world tells her otherwise.”
- Jenna Griffey | BIO Girls Donor
ROBERT E. HERMAN CHARITABLE TRUST
“After raising five daughters—and now with half a dozen granddaughters—Alex and I have seen firsthand how confidence can change the trajectory of a girl’s life. BIO Girls builds confidence, connection, and character in ways that last. Supporting this mission is our way of investing in the leaders our communities will need tomorrow, and we’re grateful to be part of that story.”
- Mike and Alex Bindas | BIO Girls Donors
statement of stewardship
BIO Girls is committed to exceptional stewardship. For the last three years, we’ve kept our program investment above 80%, including 81% this year, with the remaining 19% funding the missioncritical infrastructure that makes our programs strong—trained staff, safety, evaluation, and operational systems. This healthy balance ensures our confidence-building programs are high-quality, consistent, and able to grow to serve more girls each year.
