GSSEM Receives $2.4 Million Donation from Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott

October 18, 2022

On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) announced a $2.4 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

This generous gift is part of an $84.5 million donation awarded to GSUSA and 29 local councils selected by the MacKenzie Scott Foundation, making this unprecedented investment the largest donation from a single individual in the national organization's history. Locally, this gift will support GSSEM's girl-led programming, specifically in arts and STEM.

We're incredibly grateful to receive this donation, which will significantly advance our ability to provide life-changing experiences, mentorship, and programming to all girls.

"We are incredibly grateful to MacKenzie Scott for this generous donation and salute her commitment to uplifting the work of the nonprofit sector," said GSSEM's CEO, Monica Woodson. "Girl Scouts is known for our delicious cookies, great camps, and cool crafts, but isn't typically viewed as a 'need based' nonprofit. This donation raises our 'street cred' in the philanthropic space. I look forward to elevating the conversation around the innovative programming girls are doing in Girl Scouting."

GSUSA CEO, Sofia Chang, expressed a similar sentiment:

"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 to lead in their own communities and globally," said GSUSA's CEO, Sofia Chang. "The support from all our donors, including this generous support from MacKenzie Scott is critical in delivering on our work of re-imagination and transformation. We're excited to prove how MacKenzie Scott's investment in girls will change the world—because when one girl succeeds, we all succeed."

The Grant Impact

This gift to GSSEM will power leadership opportunities for girls through the advancement of the organization's mission. This donation will enable GSSEM to expand its investment in girls and advance the organization's recovery from the effects of COVID-19.

Provide financial support to girls in under-resourced communities who are actively engaged in research projects in pursuit of their Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scouts' highest honor. This award is presented to Girl Scouts who address a community issue or problem with an innovative, sustainable solution, requiring a minimum of 80 hours of research and development. Financial assistance will take the burden from families, as well as further promote diversity and inclusion across membership.
Stimulate girls' creative and cognitive abilities by strengthening the current arts curriculum. Moving beyond "everyday" arts and crafts, girls will have the opportunity to developing real-world partnerships with local artists and engage in other fulfilling art initiatives, building confidence and imagination.
Create more equitable membership opportunities in communities that have been under-engaged. This includes Diversity Equity Inclusion and Racial Justice initiatives, reimagining the troop experience model to break down accessibility barriers and partnering with families and communities to holistically support the wellbeing and development of all girls.
Foster meaningful program innovation informed by the current interests and needs of girls to prepare them for leadership, including an expanded focus on career readiness and mental wellness. Part of this work is expanding girls' access to art and STEM exploration, building upon exciting areas of interest such as hands-on coding, design, and sustainability.
Bolster the "foundations" of the movement in critical areas such as research and staff and volunteer training. This investment will provide the ability to be visionary about the role Girl Scouts plays in the lives of girls and women and shape the health and wellbeing of the communities the organization supports.
Future-proof its facilities including the iconic Girl Scout camp properties. This includes diverse investments such as making climate-resiliency improvements, re-imagining its physical presence in communities, and expanding both accessibility and high adventure elements at camp.

Nationally, this generous donation will accelerate GSUSA's initiatives that give girls the tools to become the next generation of powerful female leaders.

Setting the Tone

According to the Women & Girls Index 2020, Philanthropic support for women's and girls' organizations reached $7.1 billion in 2017, but still represents a small share of overall charitable giving at just 1.6 percent. Woodson hopes that the donation from the MacKenzie Foundation will inspire other donors to also consider women and girl-based organizations.

"There is an apparent lack of support when it comes to women in this male dominant environment we find ourselves in," said Woodson. "The MacKenzie Scott Foundation is setting the tone for all women and girls to feel heard, and it is my hope that this donation will create a domino effect for other donors to follow suit.