Two Homes, One Heart: Keeping the Slovenian Heart Beating in America
As the holiday season draws near, our thoughts naturally drift toward family, tradition, and the warmth of home. At ASEF, we believe that “home” isn’t just a place on a map – it’s a feeling of belonging that we carry across oceans.
We are proud to announce the launch of the 2025 ASEF Excellence Fund, an initiative dedicated to ensuring the Slovenian spirit remains a vibrant force for generations to come.
The Power of a Living Bridge
Many of our most talented young people have the drive and vision, but they lack the bridge to reach the world’s most elite circles. ASEF provides the opportunities fellows cannot access on their own – opening doors to world-class mentorships and heritage experiences.
Your support creates real-world impact, as seen through the journeys of our fellows:
- Connecting with Heritage: Miranda Kreinbrink-Gačnik, a journalism student from Colorado, traveled to Slovenia to intern at the Slovenian Olympic Committee. Beyond her professional growth, she reconnected with her roots through the music of the accordion and the smell of homemade potica.
- Advancing Innovation: Valter Hudovernik, a brilliant student from Ljubljana, spent his summer at Stanford University. ASEF provided the gateway to the world’s leading AI landscape, allowing him to gain insights he is now sharing back with the Slovenian community.
But there are still so many young leaders waiting for their turn.
Our Goal: $30,000 by December 31st 2025
These funds do more than pay for research; they provide the gift of belonging. Your year-end gift ensures that our diaspora youth never lose their connection to Slovenia and that our students at home can share their talents with the world.
This year, our fellowships and mentoring initiatives reached new heights, reaffirming our belief that shared knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for positive change.
How Your Donation Makes an Impact
Every contribution – no matter the size – directly supports ASEF fellows and their academic journeys:
- $20 – Coffee Contributor: Covers the cost of a coffee meeting between a fellow and a mentor.
- $50 – Research Reader: Supports a fellow’s registration for a professional workshop or academic seminar.
- $100 – Supporter: Helps fund a ticket to a key industry or academic conference.
- $500 – Advocate: Supports the organization of a research symposium where fellows share their work.
- $1,000 – Mentor Match: Covers essential living expenses for an ASEF Fellow during their research visit.
- $2,000 – Fellowship Sponsor: Contributes to travel expenses for an ASEF Fellow.
- $5,000 – Excellence Champion: Provides full funding for one ASEF Fellow’s 10-week research fellowship.
We invite you to be part of this journey and help us continue building bridges through education and research.
Tax Information & Other Ways to Give
ASEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations made by December 31, 2025, are tax-deductible for the 2025 tax year.
Double Your Impact: Does your employer match charitable gifts? Check with your HR department to see if your contribution can go twice as far for Slovenian students!
Donate by Check: Please make checks payable to American Slovenian Education Foundation and mail to:
American Slovenian Education Foundation
Attn: Jure Leskovec
1280 Arbor Rd. Menlo Park
CA 94025, USA
None of this would be possible without you. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support of our community, which allows us to bridge borders and foster excellence.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The ASEF Team