Girl Scouts receive Meadows Foundation $100,000 grant

The Meadows Foundation pledged a $100,000 challenge grant to Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to fund capacity building initiatives that will strengthen the infrastructure and resources at all levels of the organization. The results of these initiatives will be radical improvements to the delivery of Girl Scout programs and services for girls and volunteers.

The Girl Scouts program is 96 years strong, with a 90- year legacy of providing exceptional programs for girls in northeast Texas. "Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas operates almost entirely self-funded through its signature business and economic literacy initiative, the Girl Scout Cookie Program," stated Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' CEO Colleen Walker. "The time has come to move forward decisively to align leadership programs with what today's girl needs and wants, while honoring our rich history and traditions. To remain the premiere leadership development program for girls, we must build capacity within our organization, investing in human capital and financial assets, while building a solid business strategy to move Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas forward."

The Meadows Foundation endorses non-profit organizations with strategies to build capacity. After careful review of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' capacity building initiatives, the Meadows Foundation's Board of Directors endorsed Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' case for support and is issuing a challenge to the community: The Meadows Foundation will award the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas a $100,000 grant upon successfully raising $200,000 from the community. Funds from the community must be pledged or received by Nov. 30.

All new gifts made directly to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas from individuals, companies and foundations will be applied to The Meadows Foundation challenge grant.

For more information or to donate by credit card call Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' Fund Development Administrator Leone Lain at (972) 349-2426. Donations may be mailed directly to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas at GSNETX: Office of Development, 6001 Summerside Drive, Dallas 75252.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves 42,000 girls and 15,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. For information on how to join, volunteer or donate to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx. org.

The Meadows Foundation is a private philanthropic institution established in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Meadows to benefit the people of Texas. The Foundation's mission is to assist the people and institutions of Texas improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations. Algur Meadows built General American Oil Company of Texas into one of the nation's most successful independent oil and gas production companies. Believing that his own life was greatly enriched by giving, Meadows generously shared his wealth with many charitable causes benefiting the people of Texas. Wishing to share the joy of giving with their extended family, both living and yet unborn, Algur and Virginia Meadows established The Meadows Foundation so their philanthropy would continue in perpetuity, under the guidance and direction of family members and trusted advisors. Since its inception, the Foundation's assets have grown to a current value in excess of $950 million, and it has disbursed more than $600 million in grants and direct charitable expenditures to more than 2,900 Texas institutions and agencies. For additional information, visit The Meadows Foundation web site at www.mfi.org.