Girl Scout CEO defends decision to crowdfund

The decision to return a $100,000 donation because of a condition placed on the money has paid off for the Girl Scouts of Western Washington.

Since the donation was returned near the end of June, the Girl Scouts have raised $327,232 through crowdfunding. The original goal of the campaign was to raise back the money the organization returned. There are 23 days left of the campaign.

Megan Ferland, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Washington, told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that the money that has been raised is “amazing.”

But Dori remains skeptical of the story. While he wants to believe the organization, there’s a small fraction in him that doesn’t. He thinks it could be a way to raise more money.

The $100,000 donated originally had no stipulations. However, the organization later received a letter that stated the money could not be used if it would support transgender students.

So why is Dori skeptical? Because Ferland was at the center of another nationwide transgender story in 2012 as the CEO of Girl Scouts in Colorado &#8212 when the organization was drafting guidelines for transgender children. For someone savvy enough to be able to donate $100,000, but who also doesn’t know Ferland’s background in transgender issues is a little unlikely, Dori said.

“I cannot imagine this person sending out $100,000 to an organization headed by somebody who embraces something the donor is against,” Dori said. “Did they do their due diligence?”

“I have absolutely no idea, Dori,” Ferland responded.

Ferland has never been in a circumstance where a donor adds a condition to a donation, after donating it, she told Dori. She would not reveal who the donor is.

“I have great respect for the privacy of any donors and concept of philanthropy,” she said, adding that she recognizes their ability to direct how funds are used.

Despite his skepticism, Dori insisted that he supports the Girl Scouts and Ferland’s stance on transgender children.