We recently caught up with Alicia White Price, Chief Development Officer at the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians (GSCSA), a recent recipient of our new Self-Sustainability Fund grant.
Q: Alicia, there have been a lot of changes in the Girl Scouts over the last decade! In one sentence, how would you describe your organization today, and what is your WHY?
Well, our mission says it best: Girl Scouting build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Our “Why” is to ensure today’s girls are life-ready and equipped to become the next generation of women leaders—prepared to step in, step up, and someday step into our shoes.
Q: That sounds a lot like the vision of the Women’s Fund – women lifting up other women to help them become self-sustaining! What do you see as the biggest challenge of your 501(c)3 in this economic climate?
Our biggest challenge in this economic climate is the vulnerability of relying on cookie revenue—when families tighten spending, cookie sales decline, and that directly impacts every part of our organization. To sustain and grow our mission, we must diversify our funding streams and build more resilient, year-round support for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Q: How has The Women’s Fund’s grant helped your organization the most?
The Women’s Fund grant will help us sustain our Community Troop programming in Washington and Sullivan counties, where we anticipate a greater need in the coming membership year due to the lingering economic impact of Hurricane Helene. This staff-led model removes financial and logistical barriers, allowing girls to participate in Girl Scouts at no cost and ensures they have continued access to critical life and leadership development opportunities. Just as importantly, these troops offer consistent, supportive social engagement that promotes mental health and emotional well-being for girls who may otherwise feel isolated.
Q: We are especially grateful for your work in those areas impacted (and still recovering) from hurricane damage. What, then, are your greatest upcoming needs?
One of our greatest upcoming needs is the recruitment of committed adult volunteers who can help us deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Volunteers are essential to our mission—they mentor, lead, and empower girls while creating safe, enriching spaces for them to grow into confident leaders. Without enough adult support, we risk turning away girls who are eager to participate.
Q: And, finally, what is your biggest hope for the GSCSA in 2025 and beyond?
Our biggest hope for GSCSA in 2025 and beyond is to share our story in ways that connect more girls and families to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Research shows that families want what Girl Scouts offers—skill-building, leadership development, community, and confidence—for their girls. For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has been leading the way in developing strong female leaders. This is not just a tradition; it’s a proven path to success. Our approach has helped generations of girls grow into confident, purposeful leaders. Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing this work because we know it works, and the need for empowered female leaders has never been greater.
