Girls Inc

The group has aligned with left-of-center principles related to gender ideology. In September 2022, Girls Incorporated was one of several signatories on a released statement supporting “Full and Equal Access to Participation in Athletics for Transgender People.” The statement also opposed the “suggestion that cisgender women and girls benefit from the exclusion of women and girls who happen to be transgender,” while also claiming that “transgender girls are girls and transgender women are women.” ²

Background

Girls Incorporated, also known as Girls Inc., is a national youth organization that was initially created in 1945 through the formation of several local Girls Clubs charters that promoted the learning of practical skills for girls. Originally founded as Girls Clubs of America, the name was changed to Girls Inc. 1990.  ¹

According to its website, the organization advocates supporting “powerful girls in an equitable society.” One of the group’s declared core values is to “understand and appreciate diversity, embrace inclusiveness, and advance equity.” Girls Inc. also claims to promote policies which increase access to sex education and “reproductive health care.” ^{3 4}

Advocacy

In September 2022, Girls Incorporated was one of several signatories on a released statement supporting “Full and Equal Access to Participation in Athletics for Transgender People.”  ² The statement rejected the “suggestion that cisgender women and girls benefit from the exclusion of women and girls who happen to be transgender,” while further claiming “transgender girls are girls and transgender women are women.” ⁵

Leadership

Jennifer Faust was previously the CEO of Girls Incorporated of Greater Santa Barbara from January 2022 until June 2023. Faust was also appointed as the chief operating officer at the McCain Institute at Arizona State University in February 2024. As of 2025, Faust sits on the board of directors at the Chamberlain Network.  ^{6 7 8 9}

Controversy

In May 2023, several statements and testimonials from female staffers at the Girls Inc. of Worcester branch alleged abuse and discrimination against female staffers of color. By 2025, an online petition was created to have the chapter’s CEO and COO removed due to fostering a “toxic work environment” that included “ableism,” labor rights violations, and coercion.”  ¹⁰

Further statements made by female staffers alleged that staffers of color were “used as props,” and that the leadership was complicit in “many” acts of racism. According to one testimony, the CEO had “been caught lying about her whereabouts to incriminate a Black child.” ¹⁰

As of 2025, the national board of directors for Girls Inc. placed the CEO and COO on administrative leave, while the Worcester office was shut down due to “low staff.” ¹⁰

In October 2023, the Tarrant County branch of Girls Inc. was stripped of state funding due to accusations of the group advocating for “gender identity exploration, abortion rights, and social justice.” ¹¹

Financials

The organization reported a total revenue of $18.7 million in 2024, with just over $17.2 million in expenses. Its revenue jumped to just over $35.8 million in 2025, and it had around $17.5 million in expenses. Its net assets in 2025 amounted to just under $83.3 million. ¹²

Funding

Girls Incorporated lists several organizations and companies that fund the organization, as partners on its website. ¹³

Girls Inc., partners that grant $1 million or more a year to the organization include the Coca-Cola Company, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and the Lilly Endowment.  ^{13 14} The Lilly Endowment granted Girls Inc., $15 million in November 2024, in “support of character development.” ¹⁵

Other partners that are listed include Macy’s, Cox, and the Henry Luce Foundation. ¹³