The Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund (GRBSF) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Employer Identification Number 99-5082541) dedicated to helping children pursue their passions by removing financial barriers to participation in the performing arts and youth enrichment programs.

Our scholarships support participation in dance, theater, music, martial arts, and other eligible educational and extracurricular activities. We believe these experiences foster creativity, self-expression, discipline, resilience, and confidence while equipping young people with valuable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom or studio.

Through the generosity of our donors and community partners, the Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and pursue their dreams, regardless of financial circumstances.

The Grete R. Bressner Scholarship Fund

Honoring a Legacy and Inspiring the Future.

Black and white vintage photo of a Grete R Bressner as a child with curly hair, smiling, sitting on a chair, holding a bouquet of flowers, dressed in a light-colored dress with ruffled collar, in a studio setting.

Grete R. Bressner was born in Aalborg, Denmark on October 20th, 1940, and passed away at the young age of 42 after battling cancer. 

As a young girl, Grete had dreamed of becoming a ballerina and through hard work and dedication, Grete excelled and was offered to try out for the prestigious Royal Danish Ballet.

This success was encouraged by Grete’s mother, who worked hard after Grete’s father passed away and, by the generosity of others, both of which gave Grete the opportunity to attend ballet school.

GRBSF provides need-based scholarships that are ordinarily paid directly to approved studios, schools, instructors, or programs on behalf of recipients. Participating organizations are program partners and do not have corporate membership or voting rights.

Eligible students apply during announced application cycles. Awards depend on the published criteria, available charitable funding, and Board approval; no particular number or frequency of awards is guaranteed.

Grete R. Bressner was our beautiful, loving, and vibrant mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, and our family is deeply honored to support a cause that held such a special place in her heart. We hope that we are able to positively affect many lives and create a ripple effect of joy and goodness in the hearts of everyone involved. Our goal is to support more young children every year, both in Greater Providence and beyond.

Contact grbscholarshipfund@gmail.com with questions.

“ What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”

— George Eliot