If you’ve spent any time looking into youth development in Minnesota, you’ve probably stumbled across the name Kristin Van Dorn. Or maybe you just saw a cryptic email link like kristin van dorn mailto: aces and wondered if it was a typo or a secret handshake. It’s actually just the direct line to the Director of Development and Communications at ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students).
People get confused. They hear "ACES" and immediately think about "Adverse Childhood Experiences"—the trauma-informed research that everyone talks about in social work. But that's not what this is. Honestly, it’s a lot more focused on the court and the classroom. ACES is a Twin Cities-based non-profit that uses sports as a "hook" to get middle-schoolers excited about math and social-emotional learning.
Kristin Van Dorn is the one steering the ship when it comes to how this organization talks to the world and, more importantly, how it stays funded.
Who Exactly is Kristin Van Dorn?
She isn’t just a "fundraiser" in the corporate sense. Her background is actually pretty heavy on the academic and strategic side. Kristin is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
That matters because ACES isn't just a "fun after-school club." It’s built on specific pedagogical frameworks. Kristin previously worked as a head of client strategy and research for a boutique digital agency, and she’s held roles at the University of Minnesota and various other nonprofits. Basically, she’s a "scholar-practitioner." She doesn't just want to raise money; she wants to make sure the programs actually work for the kids they serve.
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She also serves as the communications co-chair on the Minnesota Evaluation Association (MNEA) Board of Directors. This tells you a lot about her vibe. She’s obsessed with data and evaluation. If ACES says their program improves math scores, Kristin is likely the person ensuring they have the metrics to prove it.
The Human Side of the Work
When she isn't deep in organizational policy, she's apparently busy spoiling her two dogs. She’s a big believer in "deep conversations" and community building. You get the sense from her profile that she isn’t interested in surface-level charity work. She’s looking for transformative change.
What is ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students)?
A lot of kids hate math. It’s a reality. But a lot of those same kids love the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lynx, or the Vikings. ACES takes that energy and flips it.
Founded in 1994, the organization targets "the messy middle"—middle school students (grades 4-8) in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Research shows this is the age where kids either lean into school or start to check out. ACES uses sports-themed curriculum to teach things like:
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- Statistics through basketball box scores.
- Physics through the flight of a football.
- Social-emotional skills like teamwork and resilience.
It’s a clever bridge. By partnering with every major professional sports team in the Twin Cities, they give kids a reason to show up. They aren't just sitting in a classroom; they are "training."
Why People Search for "kristin van dorn mailto: aces"
Most of the time, this search comes from people looking to sponsor the All-Star Evening. It’s their big annual gala. If you’re a local business owner or a philanthropist in the Twin Cities, Kristin is the person you talk to about sponsorship levels.
The "mailto" link is literally just a shortcut to her inbox (kristinvandorn@aces4kids.org). It’s how the community gets involved. Whether it's volunteering for a single night or setting up a multi-year corporate partnership, it all flows through her office.
The Difference Between ACES and ACEs
We have to clear this up because it’s a major point of confusion in the "lifestyle" and "health" space.
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- ACES (The Org): Athletes Committed to Educating Students. They focus on math, sports, and Twin Cities youth.
- ACEs (The Study): Adverse Childhood Experiences. This refers to the CDC-Kaiser Permanente study about how childhood trauma affects long-term health.
While the non-profit ACES certainly works with many students who have high "ACEs" scores, the names are a coincidence. Kristin Van Dorn’s ACES is about intervention and academic empowerment.
Actionable Steps for Getting Involved
If you're looking to connect with Kristin or support the mission, don't just send a generic email. Here’s how to actually move the needle:
- Volunteer for the All-Star Evening: They need help with logistics and auctions every year. It’s a high-energy way to see the impact.
- Check the Evaluation Data: If you're a donor who cares about ROI, look at the MNEA reports or ask for their annual impact data. Kristin’s team is very transparent about their numbers.
- In-Kind Donations: They often need sports equipment or classroom supplies. Reach out to see what the current "wish list" looks like.
Ultimately, ACES is about making sure Twin Cities kids don't fall through the cracks during those critical middle school years. Kristin Van Dorn is the bridge between the academic theory of why this works and the community support needed to keep it running.
To support the mission or learn about sponsorship, you can reach out to the ACES office at 612-331-3454 or connect with Kristin directly through the organization's staff portal at aces4kids.org.