Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas launches $50M campaign to expand girls programming

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has launched a $50 million capital campaign aimed at expanding access to camps, STEM, leadership and mentorship programs across North Texas. The effort comes as Texas ranks poorly on girls’ well-being and as national philanthropy still sends only a small share of funding to girls- and women-only groups.

Why it matters: - Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas wants to close gaps in girls’ health, confidence and leadership development across North Texas. - The $50 million campaign aims to reach more girls in underrepresented communities and strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in the region. - The effort lands as national data shows only 2% of philanthropic investments go to girls- and women-only organizations.

What happened: - Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas launched Fight For Her, a $50 million capital campaign, on Oct. 13, 2026. - The campaign is designed to expand access to spaces, experiences and mentorship for girls across North Texas. - GSNETX said the effort will support the next generation of leaders in a region where women already make up about 46% of the workforce.

The details: - GSNETX plans to use the funds to expand Girl Scout programming for more girls across 32 counties. - The campaign will support camp upgrades, including an upgraded equestrian center, a resident camp facility, family recreation facilities and a newly designed outdoor space. - Additional funding will go toward more Girl Scout DreamLabs and mobile programming. - The campaign also includes scholarships, financial support and an endowment to preserve access for future generations. - GSNETX said the campaign will help girls challenge their courage, build confidence and resilience, strengthen leadership and decision-making skills, develop authentic friendships, and explore STEM, entrepreneurship, the outdoors and career pathways. - GSNETX currently serves girls and volunteers across 32 counties. - The organization opened the first STEM Center of Excellence in the Girl Scout Movement in 2018. - GSNETX opened the first two Girl Scout DreamLabs in Texas in 2025 and 2026.

Between the lines: - The campaign is also a response to troubling state-level data on girls’ well-being. - GSNETX’s 2026 State of the Texas Girl Report found Texas ranked 41st in the nation for overall well-being of girls and 51st for physical well-being. - Nearly 3 in 5 girls in Texas reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless. - Fewer than 1 in 3 Texas girls were proficient in reading. - Just 20% of eighth-grade girls were proficient in math. - More than 90% of Texas girls did not get enough daily physical activity. - Jennifer Bartkowski, GSNETX CEO, said the campaign is an investment in girls’ well-being and North Texas’ future leadership. - Donna Epps, GSNETX board chair, said the campaign will give more girls the access and opportunity to learn to lead.

What's next: - GSNETX is asking supporters to help fund the campaign through WeFightForHer.org. - The organization said the money will help ensure girls can continue experiencing Girl Scout camps and programs for generations. - The campaign’s outcome will likely determine how quickly GSNETX can scale facilities, scholarships and access across the region.

The bottom line: - GSNETX is betting that a major capital push can do more than upgrade camps and classrooms: it can reshape who gets prepared to lead in North Texas.