Staff Reports | Community Updates
Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council has received a $250,000 grant from the NBA Foundation to support workforce development programming for girls ages 14 to 18 across Central and Northern Arizona.
The funding will expand access to career exploration, leadership development and skill-building opportunities through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, according to a press release.
Support from the NBA Foundation will help the council implement an updated, career-aligned curriculum, strengthen workforce programming, provide digital tools and expand career-aligned experiences for teens. The grant also supports enhancements to several of the council’s career-focused initiatives.
These include the Girl Scout High Awards program, which offers opportunities for girls to lead community-based Take Action projects; the Media Ambassadors program, which provides exposure to careers in media and marketing; and the council’s Mobile Building Space, which introduces girls to construction trades through engineering, building and design instruction.
“Teen girls are often told to ‘plan for the future’ without being shown what that actually looks like,” said Mary Mitchell, co-CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. “With this investment from the NBA Foundation, girls will explore real career pathways and understand how their skills translate to the workforce, so they can imagine a future they can confidently step into.”
The programming also supports preparation for postsecondary education, internships, early career opportunities and long-term economic stability.
“Exposure to a range of careers and mentors during these pivotal years is particularly important for girls who may not have access to those networks elsewhere,” said Christina Spicer, co-CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council. “This programming is rooted in real experiences that encourage girls to ask thoughtful questions, take ownership of their choices, and think more intentionally about what comes next.”
The grant aligns with the NBA Foundation’s efforts to support economic opportunity for youth ages 14 to 24 by funding programs that help participants transition from school to employment.
For more than 85 years, the council has delivered the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to girls in Central and Northern Arizona. Programming supported by the grant will be delivered through existing infrastructure, including council-led programs and volunteer-supported initiatives in urban, rural and tribal communities.
The funding builds on the council’s relationship with the NBA Foundation, which awarded a similar $250,000 grant in 2022 to support general operations.
The council also partners with the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, providing opportunities for girls to engage with professional athletes, industry leaders and mentors through programs and community events.
