Mabel Fairbanks Skatingly Yours Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by U.S. Figure Skating

Overview

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 technical skills and advance their competitive careers. The fund focuses on enabling training and development opportunities that remove financial barriers and allow athletes to pursue their athletic potential. Awards are intended for skaters who demonstrate resilience, commitment, and strong sportsmanship. The program is administered as an annual award to qualified athletes.

Description: A financial assistance program supporting the training and development of BIPOC figure skaters to help them reach their highest athletic potential.

• Supports training and development costs for promising BIPOC skaters
• Targets athletes with demonstrated commitment and sportsmanship
• Operates as an annual award program

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to athletes who meet membership and competition requirements established by U.S. Figure Skating. Applicants must be active competitors in singles, pairs, or ice dance and meet recent competition participation standards. The selection process considers demonstrated competitive involvement at appropriate sectional levels and current-season registration. Proof of status and competition history is required as part of eligibility verification.

Eligibility: Must identify as BIPOC, be current U.S. Figure Skating members and active competitors, and have competed at a U.S. Figure Skating Sectional Final (juvenile through senior) at least once in the past two competitive seasons or equivalent; must be registered to compete in the current season.

• Identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC)
• Current members of U.S. Figure Skating
• Active competitors in singles, pairs, or ice dance
• Competed at a Sectional Final in the past two seasons (juvenile–senior) or equivalent
• Registered to compete in the current season

History and Administration

The fund is inspired by the legacy of Mabel Fairbanks, a U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame member whose life and values emphasize perseverance and opportunity for underrepresented skaters. The awards are administered through a partnership between U.S. Figure Skating and the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation to ensure consistent annual distribution. The program reflects Fairbanks’ ideals by prioritizing athletes who demonstrate determination and good sportsmanship. Administration and award decisions follow the joint governance of the partnering organizations.

History of the Award: Established in tribute to Mabel Fairbanks, the fund is executed annually by U.S. Figure Skating in partnership with the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation to honor her legacy and support BIPOC skaters.

• Named in honor of Hall of Famer Mabel Fairbanks
• Administered annually by U.S. Figure Skating and the Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation
• Reflects values of perseverance, commitment, and sportsmanship