Girl Scouts of the USA Receives Historic $84.5 Million Donation from MacKenzie Scott to Empower Future Female Leaders

The Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) recently received a significant donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, amounting to $84.5 million. This donation, announced on October 18, 2022, is the largest single donation in the organization’s history and will be used to support various initiatives aimed at empowering girls to become future leaders.

The donation was awarded to GSUSA and 29 local councils selected by Ms. Scott. It will enable the organization to expand its investment in girls and help recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to support programs that give girls the tools to become powerful women leaders, aligning with GSUSA’s vision to support all Girl Scouts as they pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.

Sofia Chang, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, expressed gratitude for Ms. Scott’s generous gift. “We are so appreciative of MacKenzie Scott’s gift to Girl Scouts. This is a great accelerator for our ongoing efforts to help girls cultivate the skills and connections needed to lead in their own communities and globally,” she stated. “The support from all our donors, including this generous donation from Ms. Scott, is critical in delivering on our work of reimagination and transformation. We’re excited to prove how Ms. Scott’s investment in girls will change the world—because when one girl succeeds, we all succeed.”

The donation will have a significant impact on the organization’s initiatives. It will enable Girl Scouts to become a unifying force at the broadest level, harnessing the leadership skills of generations to come and ensuring a future that is inclusive, empathetic, united, and equitable. With 111 councils nationwide, GSUSA has a presence in every zip code, making it a powerful platform for empowering girls across the country.

This investment in girls is crucial, as they represent the world’s greatest untapped talent pool. Investing in girls will produce the greatest return in economic development, social progress, and public health, improving not only individual lives but the fabric of society overall. Prior to Ms. Scott’s donation, less than 2% of annual giving benefited girl and women-focused organizations, highlighting the need for increased support.

The donation will also help address the financial challenges faced by GSUSA. The organization ended the 2023 fiscal year with a $4.4 million deficit, which is expected to increase to $5.6 million at the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The National Board has been using its financial reserves to cover costs, including funding for the Gold Award Scholarship Fund, insurance for members, and the pilot program for the Girl Scout Experience Box. However, operating at a deficit is not sustainable, and the organization cannot afford to use its financial reserves indefinitely.

In response to these financial challenges, GSUSA is considering raising yearly membership fees by 240%, from $25 to $85. This potential increase is part of a broader strategy to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability. The handbook for delegates who will vote on the potential increase notes that there is sufficient financial assistance to meet the needs of current and future members. The additional revenue generated by the increased membership dues will enable the organization to deliver its Movement strategy.

However, some troop leaders and members have expressed concerns about the potential dues increase. Sally Bertram, a Girl Scout troop leader with over 30 years of experience, believes that the increase is too much and could lead to a decline in membership. “I just feel like a triple jump in numbers is going to dissolve the Girl Scouts in southeast Indiana,” she stated. “People out here do not pay that kind of money.”

Despite these challenges, GSUSA remains committed to its mission of empowering girls to become future leaders. The donation from MacKenzie Scott is a significant step forward in achieving this goal, and the organization is determined to use these funds to make a lasting impact on the lives of girls across the country.

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