MacKenzie Scott / Facebook page

Oct. 26. Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Council recently announced a $1.1 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of the founder of Amazon.

The gift to the Charlotte region is part of an $84.5 million donation awarded to Girl Scouts of the USA  and 29 local councils selected by Scott, making this investment the largest donation from a single individual in the national organization’s history.

Locally, this gift will allow the Hornets’ Nest Council to continue to promote character, curiosity and entrepreneurship among girls.

Grant impact

The gift will help Hornets’ Nest Council:

—Foster meaningful program innovation informed by the current interests and the needs of girls to prepare them for their future, including an expanded focus on career readiness and mental wellness.

—Refocus facilities that host outdoor experiences. This investment will enable our council to re-engage the process of building out camp properties to include spaces that will present more diverse, relevant programmatic experiences.

—Ensure that all girls have access to the life-changing impact of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This investment will help broadening the impact of the organization in underserved and economically challenged areas.

Less than 2 percent of all charitable giving goes toward organizations that support women and young girls.