Earlier this year, the Girl Scouts of Western Washington received a $100,000 donation to help fund their activities. However, that money came with a stipulation: last May, council CEO Megan Ferland received a letter from the donor reading "Please guarantee that our gift will not be used to support transgender girls. If you can’t, please return the money." Shortly after, she informed the donor that she would be returning the money saying "Girl Scouts is for every girl, and every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to."
Initially upon receiving the donation, the troop was overjoyed as it could have been used to help 500 girls that would otherwise be unable to join a troop, go to camp, or participate in other Girl Scout experiences. In response to this saddening loss, on Monday morning the Girl Scouts of Western Washington launched the #ForEVERYGirl Campaign on Indiegogo to help replace the money and opportunities that this donation would have offered. In just a single day since the launch, the campaign has already surpassed its $100,000 goal with 29 days to go.
Girl Scout troops have been highlighted for their trans-inclusive stances in the past as well. In 2012, the Girl Scouts of Colorado spoke out in support of allowing a child who identified as a girl into their troop despite their sex assigned at birth. More recently, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America reaffirmed their commitment to trans-inclusivity, saying "if the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe."
Even with the campaign's initial goal of $100,000 met, the troop continues to try to raise more to reach out even further and help all potential Girl Scouts that need it.
You can watch the Girl Scouts of Western Washington's video promoting the #ForEVERYGirl campaign below: