“MacKenzie Scott Donates $84.5 Million to Girl Scouts of the USA to Empower Future Female Leaders”
Girl Scouts of the USA has received a significant donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, amounting to $84.5 million. This donation, the largest single contribution in the organization’s history, aims to accelerate initiatives that empower girls to become future leaders.
The funding will be utilized by the Girl Scouts of the USA and 29 local councils selected by Ms. Scott. It is designed to support the organization’s efforts in helping girls cultivate the skills and connections necessary to lead in their communities and globally. This investment is particularly crucial as it addresses the underfunding of organizations focused on girls and women, which historically receive less than 2% of annual philanthropic giving.
Ms. Scott’s donation is seen as a significant accelerator for the Girl Scouts’ ongoing efforts to help girls develop leadership skills and make a lasting impact. The support from all donors, including this generous donation from Ms. Scott, is critical in delivering on the organization’s work of reimagination and transformation.
The grant will enable Girl Scouts to expand its investment in girls and advance the organization’s recovery from the effects of COVID-19. The pandemic had a significant impact on the organization, with youth membership dropping nearly 30% in the first year. This donation will help recoup losses in programming and membership.
Girl Scouts of the USA has a presence in every zip code across the country, with 111 councils nationwide. Each new investment enables the organization to become a unifier at the broadest level, harnessing the leadership skills of generations to come and ensuring a future that is inclusive, empathetic, united, and equitable.
The organization’s commitment to championing all Girl Scouts as they take action and create long-term impact is underscored by this donation. The investment will build upon the Girl Scouts’ vision to support all girls as they pursue their dreams and turn compassion into action in their communities.
Sofia Chang, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, expressed gratitude for Ms. Scott’s gift, highlighting its importance in delivering on the organization’s work. “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 said.
The donation is a testament to the importance of investing in girls and women, who represent the world’s greatest untapped talent pool. By supporting organizations like the Girl Scouts, donors can help produce significant returns in economic development, social progress, and public health, improving not only individual lives but the fabric of society overall.
This significant investment in the Girl Scouts underscores the critical role that organizations focused on girls and women play in shaping the future. It highlights the need for increased support and funding for these organizations to ensure that they can continue to empower girls to become leaders and change-makers in their communities and beyond.