A billionaire philanthropist will support a local Girl Scouts organization with a contribution of more than a million dollars.
MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, made her latest contribution to the Queen City in the form of $1.1 million for the Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council (GSHNC).
The donation will help GSHNC to reach their annual $3 million budget and secure the ability to serve all the girls in the program.
The Charlotte-based organization serves 8000 girls and adults across North and South Carolina. Of the eight counties GSHNC serves, Charlotte represents its largest population of girls.
Why it matters: With the latest gift, GSHNC can further provide support for local communities in Charlotte, like the West End and Grier Heights.
Funding gaps for girls
The organization’s executive director, Tayuanee Dewberry, said the seven-figure donation is a “monumental” gift and the largest the organization has received aside from an investment by the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.
“Less than 2% of philanthropic dollars are granted to organizations that are supporting girls, that is abysmal,” said Dewberry.
She went on to say that organizations like hers typically receive the least of funding.
“It speaks to some of the equity issues we’re facing,” she said.
According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, organizations supporting women and girls made up 1.9% of grant recipients in 2018.
GSHNC focuses on leadership, youth development, and social and emotional support for girls in grades kindergarten through twelfth. This contribution will help them continue to provide and strengthen programming.
“This is a valuable program that just happens to have some pretty phenomenal cookies.”
