Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Receives $50,000 Grant from Thunderbirds Charities to Support Girl Scout Programming in Maricopa County
(PHOENIX – May 16, 2025) — Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to advance its Girl Scout (GS) Impact Program: Empowering Girls for Life, which provides leadership development, hands-on learning, and year-round enrichment activities to girls across Maricopa County who face limited access to traditional programming.
“The generous grant support from the Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities will connect 500 girls across Maricopa County with skill-building programs, leadership opportunities, and the lifelong sisterhood of Girl Scouts,” says Christina Spicer, co-CEO of GSACPC. “This longstanding investment in our mission continues to lift cost barriers and provide meaningful experiences for the girls we serve.”
The GS Impact program aims to make Girl Scouting accessible to all girls, particularly those living in community centers, shelters, correctional facilities, group homes, and other environments where extracurricular programming may be unavailable. A key outreach program of the initiative is Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB), which serves girls ages five to 17 whose mothers are incarcerated.
“Through Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, girls can gain the tools they need to grow into confident leaders, while also strengthening the mother-daughter bond through regular visits and shared activities,” adds Mary Mitchell, co-CEO of GSACPC. “Every girl deserves the chance to discover her potential, and Girl Scouts is committed to providing a space where that can happen.”
GS Impact also includes Girl Scouts in Detention Centers (GSDC), a program serving girls ages 12 to 17 involved in all areas of the juvenile justice system. GSDC encourages participants to embrace leadership and break cycles while addressing the community issues that often impact young women.
To further ensure all girls can fully participate, GS Impact provides financial assistance for dues and program fees, as well as uniforms, badge books, and other supplies needed to start their Girl Scout journey.
This inclusive contribution from Thunderbirds Charities echoes GSACPC’s commitment to serving girls from every economic, racial, ethnic, and religious background, and girls of all abilities, through transformative experiences and programs.
For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org.
About Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)
In partnership with 6,500 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 12,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org.
