Money Earning
How do girls become financially empowered women? Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), that’s how! Your Girl Scout troop can plan and finance its own activities, and you’ll coach your girls as they earn and manage troop funds.
This document does not supersede guidance provided within Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont training and/or documentation and should always be used in conjunction with the Troop Banking Guidelines and Volunteer Essentials guide.
Money-Earning Basics
Helping girls decide what they want to do and coaching them as they earn and manage money to pursue their goals is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Under the guidance of an adult, a Girl Scout troop or group can plan and finance its own activities. At the same time, the girls learn many valuable skills that serve them throughout their lives. Girl Scouts engage in money-earning activities to reduce the costs associated with Girl Scout programming, activities, trips, community service, Journey Take Action projects or Highest Award projects Like all Girl Scout events and activities, money-earning activities should provide girls with additional leadership and skill-building opportunities
Additional Funding is a collaborative opportunity offered to members of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) to maximize the resources available for Girl Scouts. The purpose for offering the Additional Funding opportunity is to increase the culture and understanding of philanthropy, to make Girl Scouts accessible to all socio-economic levels and to offer girls opportunities to learn to fund their activities
What exactly is a money-earning activity?
Money-earning activities refer primarily to services planned and carried out by girls (with guidance from adults) to provide additional funding for specific Girl Scout projects or experiences.
All Girl Scout members are encouraged to participate in council-sponsored product programs - the Fall Product Program and Cookie Program - as the primary method of earning money for their troop because the skills learned through these programs are a critical component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
The best way for troops to earn money is to participate in the Girl Scout Fall Product and Cookie Programs. These programs are designed to build five skills including: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics as well as provide funding for Girl Scout activities If a troop requires additional funding outside of the product programs, a troop may decide to organize a money-earning activity. Please note, it is not permissible for Girl Scouts to implement money-earning activities without prior approval from the council. Special accommodations may be made during council-sponsored product programs, but generally it is advised that troops do not participate in other money-earning activities during these two programs. To decide if a money-earning activity is essential to support the troop’s goals, the troop is encouraged to work through the following questions:
•Why do we need money?
•What do we need money for?
•If we need money for supplies, is it possible to get supplies donated?
GSUSA BLUE BOOK RE: SOLICITATION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Adult members in their Girl Scout capacities may not solicit financial contributions for purposes other than Girl Scouting Adults may engage in combined fundraising efforts authorized by the Girl Scout council and in which the local council is a beneficiary. Girl members may not engage in any direct solicitation for money except for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, who may solicit philanthropic donations to their councils of cash or in-kind goods for Girl Scout Gold Award projects, provided they have secured prior written permission from their council's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Development Officer, or their designee In addition, girls must abide by their own council's policies and procedures with regard to this matter
Let’s say that your troop needs money to buy lumber to build a flower box. Is it possible to get the lumber donated instead? Often, businesses and organizations will make an in-kind donation to support Girl Scout troops.
An in-kind donation is a type of charitable gift or donation in which, instead of giving money to buy needed goods and services, the goods and services themselves are given. Service units, troops and other entities housed under Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont’s tax ID and solicitation license, may request donations of goods, products or gift cards from businesses located within our 40-county footprint as long as the donated items exclusively support Girl Scout activities or events.
Because we know that many businesses and organizations will not authorize in-kind donations without proof of charitable tax status or solicitation license, troops are welcome to request a donation letter. So, if you’re approaching the lumber store for an in-kind donation of lumber to construct flower boxes, simply e-mail our team at info@girlscoutsp2p org, and we’ll create the letter for you The following information is required to complete your request:
Name, address and e-mail address of business
Full name and title of business contact
Items being requested
Name and date of event or activity for which the items will be used
Brief description of the event or activity
Troops, service units and other subgroups shall be responsible for personally thanking the donor for ANY donation. The council is responsible for IRS required gift acknowledgements upon request. Keep in mind, Girl Scouts should not create their own tax receipts.
Q: If when making a request for an in-kind donation, the business offers a gift card or monetary donation instead. Can the troop accept their offer?
A: When you make a request for an in-kind donation, and the business would prefer to give you a gift card or monetary gift, it is fine to accept this gift. If the value of the gift card is more than $250, contact the council with the following information: name of business, contact name, contact telephone and contact email address of the business. The information and the amount of the gift card can be emailed to info@girlscoutsp2p.org. For gifts of $250 or more, we are required by IRS regulations to send the donor a gift receipt.
Q: What if my troop receives a large monetary donation?
A: All money must go through the troop bank account. In the case of individually registered Girl Scouts, the money should pass through the service unit bank account; contact the council office if you need assistance with this Troops, travel patrols, service units and other subgroups may receive unsolicited donations from individuals or businesses up to the amount of $1,000 per membership year for girl activities. Any amounts over the maximum $1,000 received will be allocated to general operations of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. Unsolicited donations may include any cash received through designated donations, matching, service or volunteer hour donations and sponsorship donations.
All donations of $250 or more must go through the council so a receipt can be issued for tax purposes. The council will pass 100% of the donation up to $1,000 through to the troop or service unit account. Donations should be marked with "Project Name - Troop or SU#" to ensure proper recordation.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that the Girl Scouts acknowledge single donations with the value of $250 or more. Single donations of $250 and over must be reported to council within 10 days of receipt. Organizations can be issued a tax receipt from Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont as long as the gift is $250 or more, and the monies are processed directly through the council by mailing the check to:
Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont
208 Union Square NW
Suite 101
Hickory, NC 28601
Please remember to have the organizations include a Troop Number in the Memo line so that we can process the funds to the appropriate Troop Bank Account. Alternately, troops can deposit the funds directly in a troop bank account and e-mail a photocopy of the check to info@girlscoutsp2p.org.
Q: When requesting an in-kind donation from a business, are the Girl Scouts asking on their own behalf or on behalf of GSCP2P?
A: Girl Scouts requesting an in-kind donation are making the request on behalf of the troop or themselves, not the behalf of GSCP2P. However, Girl Scout members are included under the council’s 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and solicitation licenses Members agree to comply with the federal and state regulations on the solicitation and use of monetary and in-kind donations
Q: What does Additional Funding include?
A: Additional Funding includes any solicited or suggested donation to a subgroup of GSCP2P by any method including but not limited to solicited donations, grants, money earning, service compensation or co-ventures.
Q: Who is eligible to engage in Additional Money-Earning?
A: To be eligible to engage in any Additional Funding project, any troop or service unit must have participated in the most recent Fall Product Program and/or Girl Scout Cookie Program. The requirements to be considered a participating troop are provided at Fall Product Program training and noted in the Troop Handbook for the cookie program.
Individuals may not receive donations on behalf of GSCP2P. Individuals conducting a service or take action project may receive donations to support the project provided the funds are administered through a troop or group Girl Scout bank account
The Senior Leadership Team shall establish and maintain standards and procedures for engaging in Additional Funding in partnership with the Engagement Team. All Additional Money-Earning Projects must receive approval from the appropriate GSCP2P team member prior to beginning any portion of the project.
Moving Forward with a Money-Earning Activity
After the troop has determined what the money is needed for and how much money is needed, the next step is for the girls to brainstorm different ways to earn money. The easiest way to earn money is through the established product programs, Fall Product and the Cookie Program. Girls should brainstorm how to increase sales in these programs before searching for other opportunities for money-earning activities Once the troop decides on a money-earning activity, girls will plan (under the guidance of an adult) how to carry out the money-earning activity. By planning and participating in Girl Scout money-earning projects, girls build real-world skills that benefit their troops, council, communities and, most importantly, will serve girls throughout their lives.
Here are the five skills girls learn:
How to develop a business plan
Think critically and solve problems
Directly handle customer money
Engage with members of the community and develop confidence
Develop positive values like honesty and integrity
Money-Earning Example Projects
The following examples of money-earning projects give girls a way to build public speaking, financial literacy, marketing and other marketable skills while reinforcing the development of the five skills. This is by no means an exhaustive list but provides several examples of money-earning activities.
Entertainment:
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• Talent or fashion show for retirement community or other audience
Tea party
Flocking for birthdays and other special events (flock of flamingos traveling yard décor)
Food/Meal Events:
For all food-related activities, it is recommended that the supervising adult complete the in-person or online ServSafe Food Handler course.
Spaghetti dinner
Pancake breakfast
Multicultural meals for younger girls
Candy or cupcake-making workshop
Lollipops, cookies for sale
Bake sale
Service(s):
Babysitting for holiday (New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s, etc.)
Holiday activity/supervised crafts while caregivers do holiday shopping
Raking leaves, weeding, cutting grass, sweeping walks
Pet walking
Gift-wrapping
Cold or hot beverages at a Girl Scout event
Cooking class or other specialty class
Taking photos and/or creating greeting cards or calendars
Collections/Drives:
Recycling/newspapers
Cell phones/e-waste
Bottle and can recycling
Used ink cartridges turned in for money
Christmas tree recycling
Specialty Products:
Holiday wreaths/ornaments
Crafts (crochet, needlepoint, jewelry, ornaments)
Yard or garage sale
Books for resale (previously used)
Roses for Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, etc.
Soap and/or bath salts
Events:
Campouts with overnight themes
Badge earning workshops
Me & My Gal/Guy type events
Keep in mind that the money-earning activity must incorporate the Girl Scout Leadership Experience which means the activity should be girl-led, allow for girls to learn by doing and promote cooperative learning. Adult volunteers can guide girls to learn important elements of salesmanship, customer service and financial literacy that go along with goal setting, budgeting, collecting funds and paying expenses while earning proceeds for the troop Adult volunteers who are guiding the girls should be present at all times during the activity to ensure the activity is age appropriate and in accordance with Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Money-Earning Approval
It’s important that troops follow the guidelines below when seeking approval for a money-earning activity. Troops may not conduct money-earning activities without written approval. Before undertaking a money-earning activity, be sure that the decision to participate is a troop decision and caregivers understand the responsibilities and goals of the activity. Troops should consider money-earning activities that are age-appropriate and follow the goals and principles of the Girl Scout program Refer to the appendix for more information on money-earning progression Be sure to keep it girl-led by allowing each girl to provide input on how the money will be earned, as individuals cannot earn money for individual use. Adult volunteers who are guiding the girls should be present at all times during the activity to ensure the activity is conducted in accordance with Safety Activity Checkpoints. All moneyearning activities must also comply with GSUSA policies, local, state and federal laws regulating sales by minors, food handling, etc. and may not be conducted on the internet.
Before you begin a money-earning activity, ensure that the:
Activity incorporates the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Activity is suited to the age and abilities of the girls and includes girl planning Girls and caregivers have agreed to participate and/or support the activity, and have an understanding of, and ability to explain to others, why the money is needed.
Troop has established an approved bank account through GSCP2P.
Troops’ financial records are up to date and the troop annual financial report for the previous year has been submitted.
Troop has participated in the most recent product program (Fall Product and/or Cookie Program).
If the troop is able to check off all the boxes above, the troop can submit the necessary paperwork to receive permission to conduct a money-earning activity
Money-Earning Approval Submission
Submit the Additional Money Earning Activity Application for approval 4+ weeks in advance. Approval must be received prior to conducting any money-earning activities. As you think about money-earning opportunities, remember that as a Girl Scout you are prohibited from engaging in the following moneyearning activities:
Girl Scouts may NOT raise money for other organizations. You cannot ask for pledges to benefit another cause or hold a benefit event to raise money. You cannot host a bake sale, performance or other activity to directly raise money for another organization. Girls cannot host a bake sale and advertise it as benefiting the Humane Society. However, girls can elect to donate a portion of the bake sale proceeds to the Humane Society. Money-earning projects where you are potentially doing an activity that someone else normally is hired to do For instance, you cannot host a car wash directly next to a car wash business.
Projects where the Girl Scout organization might be perceived as endorsing a product, political viewpoint or cause. This includes passing out political flyers, handing out freebies at a business or holding product sales such as Creative Memories, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, etc. Girl Scouts forbids product demonstration parties where the use of the Girl Scout trademark increases revenue for another business (ex. In-home product parties). Any business using the Girl Scout trademark must seek authorization from GSUSA. Selling anything on the Internet (Amazon, Facebook, etc.) Games of chance (raffles, drawings, etc.)
Crowdsourcing opportunities such as GoFundMe, Kickstarter, via Facebook or IndieGoGo Except for that which is directly related to a Girl Scout Gold Award project or in special circumstances, fundraising should not take place during the same time as the council's Fall Product Program or Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Advertising Money-Earning Projects
When it comes to advertising a troop or area event money-earning activity, we want to be sure to set troops up for success To ensure that we’re speaking in one voice, consult the council style guide for specific style guidelines and resources Additionally, follow the recommendations below to save you time and help you communicate as clearly as possible.
Let the girls help draft the flyer! Older girls should be encouraged to create the flyer on their own Talk to them about the information that will be needed to advertise and, if applicable, register participants.
Let the girls choose or create the artwork.
Engage girls with putting flyers around town in places where they’ll be seen by people who might want to participate.
Make sure they ask permission before hanging a flyer.
Be inclusive of all families. Avoid using Mother (Mother/Daughter Spa Day) or Father (Father/ Daughter Dance) to describe your event and instead try ‘Me and My Gal/Guy or Me and My VIP (Very Important Person)’ instead.
Make sure to get approval for use of the Girl Scout logo or GSCP2P service mark Online or printed materials created using the Girl Scout brand should be e-mailed to info@girlscoutsp2p.org for review prior to use. Please allow 7-10 business days for review. Girl Scouts cannot endorse another product or company, so no other logos should be on the flyer.
Make sure to include anything important that participants may need to know about the event or the location. Share anything that will help them make a better decision about attending.
Is there something special participants should wear?
Will there be a lot of walking?
Do they need to bring a chair or sit-upon?
Is the location accessible to everyone (i.e. wheelchairs accessible)?
Will there be loud sounds or lights?
Be clear about the fee, and what will and will not be included.
If there will be other items for sale, you should note it in your flyer.
If you are using an online registration tool such as Sign-Up Genius or Evite, be clear about how the attendees will get payment to the troop and what information they should send with their checks. Also be clear as to which forms of payment will be accepted such as personal check, troop check and/or payments through Cheddar Up
If you are collecting registrations via the mail, be sure you have the registrants mail their registration to Troop XXX along with the mailing address instead of identifying a person.
By not identifying the person’s name on the flyer, it helps to protect their privacy.
Do not share your flyer until after receiving full approval from your Engagement Manager.
How to Manage Funds
A troop implementing a money-earning activity should process all proceeds through the troop bank account and keep a record of the activity. The income and expenses should be reported on the troop’s annual financial report. Troops are expected to process money-earning funds in accordance with Troop Banking Guidelines. Troop funds are for the benefit of all girls in the troop and should be spent in the year the funds are earned unless the troop has a long-range plan for spending the funds. It is important to note that the funds belong to the troop as a whole. Per IRS guidelines for charitable organizations, troops are prohibited from keeping separate individual girl accounts. Girls may not receive individual credit for funds or a portion of funds that resulted from their contributed troop to troop dues, moneyearning or product program proceeds The funds are to be spent according to group planning and girl-led decision making Troops may disburse a portion of their funds to another nonprofit, but only if that nonprofit is a 501(c)3 charity. This is a requirement of the IRS. The decision must be a unanimous decision of the troop. All disbursements of funds must be detailed on the troops’ annual financial report.
SENSE OF SELF
Girl Scouts have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities
POSITIVE VALUES
Girl Scouts act ethically, honestly and responsibly, and show concern for others
CHALLENGE SEEKING
Girl Scouts learn to take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail and learn from the experience.
COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING
Girl Scouts desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create “action plans” to solve them
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Girl Scouts develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively
Highest Awards Money-Earning
The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards encourage Girl Scouts to stretch themselves to reach their full potential and become agents of positive change. All three awards give Girl Scouts the chance to do big things while supporting an issue they care about. The following outlines information specific to money-earning for the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. It is important to note that Girl Scouts are not required to participate in or implement money-earning activities in connection with a Girl Scout Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
What is the difference between troop money-earning and money-earning for the Highest Awards?
Simply stated, troop money-earning is done to fund activities, programs or trips for a whole troop, while funds earned through Highest Awards money-earning activities are earmarked for that specific award project One major difference between troop and Highest Awards money-earning relates to funds remaining at the conclusion of the project Funds remaining at the conclusion of a Highest Awards project can be used to purchase additional supplies for the benefiting organization but may not be given to the benefiting organization as a financial contribution because the funding was raised in connection to a project. As a reminder, if no additional supplies or materials are needed, the funds should be returned to the original donor. Funds raised for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award can not be held for future Highest Award projects. Since every Girl Scout’s project differs and money-earning activities are not required to complete the Highest Awards, there is no average amount to be earned through a moneyearning activity to support the completion of a Highest Award. Each project is just as unique as the Girl Scout!
Girl Scout Bronze Award
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is typically completed as a troop activity and therefore the money-earning activities are considered to be equivalent to a troop money-earning activity. Troops should consider the following questions:
Do we need to earn money for our Bronze Award project, or can we get the items donated? If we do need money, how can we earn it or how can we change the project so that it doesn’t cost anything? How can we use the money from our product program proceeds to fund our project?
Troops working toward this award should follow all the guidelines outlined, including in-kind donations, product program participation, approval process, advertising, etc.
Girl Scout Silver Award
The Girl Scout Silver Award can be earned individually or by a team Girl Scouts may want to earn money to help finance their Silver Award This is encouraged However, there are some specific guidelines to which the Girl Scouts must adhere. Money obtained from the Fall Product and Cookie Program as well as troop money-earning activities may be used toward a Silver Award, if it has been voted on and approved by the troop (preferably in advance). Money earned from product programs and troop/group money-earning activities belong to the whole troop/group. Girls need permission from the troop to use any of these funds. Once the small team has chosen their project, they should present the Silver Award project and proposed budget to the troop. The troop can decide if they’ll help fund the project. Final reports must include a list of all expenses involved with a project as well as all in-kind donations and unsolicited monetary donations. The Girl Scout Silver Award income and expense log can be found on the Silver Award webpage of the council’s website and a fillable form is included in the Silver Award Final Report Individual Girl Scouts and teams working toward this award should follow all the guidelines outlined, including in-kind donations, product program participation, approval process, advertising, etc.
As girls /troops work on Girl Scout Bronze or Silver Award projects, they may find that they need to earn money for their projects. While participation in product programs is not a requirement for a Girl Scout to earn these Highest Awards, it is a requirement if a Girl Scout or a troop needs to engage in an additional money-earning activity to fund their project. Participation is defined as a girl average of at least 10 Fall Product items and at least four cases (48 packages) of cookies OR a troop average of at least five cases (60 packages) of cookies. Girls/troops must also submit the Additional Funding Activity Application (one per project) at least 30 days before the date their solicitation activities begin The application link is found here
You DO need to submit an Additional Funding Activity Application:
If you want to solicit others for contributions. Note: Girls can talk about their project, but an adult must make the official ask for Bronze and Silver projects.
If you are asking for in-kind donations (ex. asking a store to donate goods for your project).
If you want to do an activity to earn money such as a car wash or bake sale.
You do NOT need to submit an Additional Funding Activity Application:
If you are using your own personal funds
If family members offer to donate
For money your troop decides to donate from troop funds earned from the Cookie Program or Fall Product Program.
All money must be deposited and maintained in the troop bank account. In the case of individually registered Girl Scouts, the money should be deposited in and maintained through the service unit bank account. Contact the council office if you need assistance with this.
All donations (cash, materials/goods) of $250 or more must go through the council so a receipt can be issued for tax purposes The council will pass 100% of the donation through to the troop or service unit account Donations should be marked with "Bronze or Silver Award Project Name - Troop or SU#" to ensure proper recordation. Girls participating in the Bronze and Silver Award project shall be responsible for personally thanking the donor for ANY donation. The Finance and Resource Development Departments shall be responsible for IRS required gift acknowledgements, if applicable.
The Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award is completed individually by a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador. The Girl Scout Gold Award can be funded by family donations, money-earning activities, business donations, grants, girl contributions and/or Cookie Dough. Honestly, the sky is the limit! When the sky’s the limit, it’s helpful to have a robust resource to guide Girl Scouts in their endeavor. Your Guide to Going Gold is just the resource It includes information on money-earning guidelines as they apply to the Girl Scout Gold Award. Girl Scouts should thoroughly read Your Guide to Going Gold and review the money-earning section of the guide before taking any action to secure funding for their project. To ensure that Girl Scouts are in compliance with all money-earning guidelines, they should complete the required trainingthe virtual or in-person Girl Scout Gold Award Training. Girl Scouts can download a copy of Your Guide to Going Gold from the Gold Award page on the council's website.
Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors may solicit philanthropic donations of cash or in-kind goods for Girl Scout Gold Award projects, provided they have secured prior written permission from the council through the Additional Funding Activity Application.
These guidelines are intended to help Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors fund their Girl Scout Gold Award project while maintaining compliance with council audit requirements and IRS guidelines. Fundraising may not begin until the Gold Award Project Proposal and the Additional Funding Activity Application have been reviewed and approved by the Girl Scout Gold Award Committee and staff supervisor.
All funds will be submitted to and held by the troop or service unit on behalf of the Gold Award Project until they are ready to be utilized.
General guidelines include:
Solicited funds are to be used explicitly for the approved Girl Scout Gold Award project which has a defined project scope
At the end of the project, Girl Scouts will need to account for all revenue (money received) and expenditures (money spent).
Local organizations or corporations may offer grants for projects. If a Girl Scout finds one of these opportunities, they must receive council approval prior to applying for the grant.
Crowdsourcing is not an approved method of fundraising. This includes Go Fund Me accounts, Facebook Fundraisers, etc.
Project Advisors can support Girl Scouts in the solicitation process, but girls determine the best route for funding.
All money must be deposited and maintained in the troop bank account. In the case of individually registered Girl Scouts, the money should be deposited in and maintained through the service unit bank account; contact the council office if you need assistance with this
All donations (cash, materials/goods) of $250 or more must go through the council so a receipt can be issued for tax purposes. The council will pass 100% of the donation through to the troop or service unit account. Donations should be marked with "Gold Award Project Name - Troop or SU #" to ensure proper recordation.
Girls pursuing a Girl Scout Gold Award project shall be responsible for personally thanking the donor for ANY donation. The council's Finance and Resource Development departments shall be responsible for IRS required gift acknowledgements.
Unused funds and abandoned project funds will revert to the troop or service unit. They should NOT be given to the beneficiary organization
Procedures for Fundraising:
1.Complete the Gold Award Project Proposal in GoGold, indicating the desire to fundraise within the project expenses question.
2.Following initial project review and prior to the Gold Award Project Interview, submit the Additional Funding Activity Application for approval. A comprehensive list of needs with estimated cost and potential donors will need to be submitted with this form. Allow two weeks for review of this form.
3.Complete the Gold Award Project Interview with the Gold Award Committee.
4 Once the Gold Award Project and the Additional Funding Activity Application have been approved, solicitation of donations may begin
5 Donation types include:
a. Acceptable forms of donations
i.Cash
ii.Checks made payable to the troop or service unit account with the project name indicated in the memo line.
iii.Credit Card donations to the troop or service unit account, with prior approval and agreement to absorb any processing fees.
iv.Gift-In-Kind
v.Money Earning Activity
b.Additional giving methods (such as electronic deposit or matching giving programs) need to be discussed with a member of the GSCP2P team.
c.Unacceptable donation forms:
i. Crowdsourcing
6.All money must be deposited and maintained in the troop bank account. In the case of individually registered Girl Scouts, the money should be deposited in and maintained through the service unit bank account Contact the council office if you need assistance with this
7 Once solicitation has been completed, all donors must be listed on the Additional Funding Final Report, which is to be submitted to the council. This should match with the final budget submitted as part of the Final Report.
General Frequently Asked Questions About Money-Earning
Q: Can a Girl Scout use her own money to support a program, activity or trip that her troop plans to participate in?
A: Girl Scouts can contribute their own money to engage in a program, trip or activity Although girls are encouraged to participate in approved money-earning activities, participation should not put a financial burden on a girl or her family.
Q: Is the placement of coin collection jars at area businesses an approved money-earning activity?
A: It is not allowable for Girl Scouts to place coin collection jars in area businesses as there is no service being performed or learning aspect to the money-earning activity.
Q: Can monetary donations be raised through a commercial fundraiser?
A: Girl Scouts cannot raise monetary donations through a commercial fundraiser. Examples include, but are not limited to, Krispy Kreme Donut Sales, Pampered Chef, Scentsy and Southern Living. It is not permissible for Girl Scouts to partner with a company that provides a product in exchange for a percentage of the sales, as it could appear as an endorsement by GSCP2P.
Q: Can Girl Scouts divide funding based on the earnings of each participating Girl Scout for money-earning activities and/or the Fall Product or Cookie Program?
A: The proceeds from money-earning activities and the Fall Product and Cookie Program cannot be allocated to a specific girl based on the sales of the individual Girl Scout The proceeds are to benefit the troop as a whole
Q: Is it allowable to request a grant or financial donation?
A: It is not allowable to directly request a grant, financial donation or monetary contribution, except in the case of a member of the Girl Scout’s immediate family. A financial donation made by an immediate family member may not be considered tax deductible. Donors should contact their tax preparer if they have questions.
*Local organizations or corporations may offer grants for projects. If a Girl Scout finds one of these opportunities, they must receive council approval prior to applying for the grant.
Q: Is it allowable for immediate family members or friends to request financial support for a Girl Scout through their employer?
A: While many companies provide an employee giving program, the practice of requesting financial support for a troop or Girl Scout is discouraged as these gifts require special processing, have stipulations on use and can take up to a year to process. With the correct notice and accurate processing, these gifts can be made directly to GSCP2P to be passed through to the troop bank account. Contact info@girlscoutsp2p.org for more information.
Q: Can donors (individuals or companies) be recognized in connection with a donation, in-kind or financial, made toward Girl Scout activities?
A: It is a best practice to distribute a thank you note to contributors, with adult oversight, as an appropriate form of recognition The inclusion of individual or organization’s names on printed or online materials is prohibited as it could appear as a council endorsement.
Q: Do girls working toward the Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award have to participate in the product programs before conducting money-earning activities?
A: It is recommended that all Girl Scouts participate in the product programs to learn the valuable five skills. However, while participation in product programs is not a requirement for a Girl Scout to earn their Girl Scout Gold or Silver Awards, it is a requirement if a Girl Scout needs to engage in an additional money-earning activity to fund their project. Participation is defined as a girl average of at least 10 Fall Product items and at least four cases (48 packages) of cookies OR a troop average of at least five cases (60 packages) of cookies
Q: Can girls use cookie dough to cover Silver/Gold Award project supply costs?
A: Whether a Girl Scout is a member of a troop or a Juliette/Individually Registered Member, they can use Cookie Dough, Nut Bucks and Daisy Dollars to cover the Silver and/or Gold Award project supply cost (but not things like meals and gas).
Q: Can time allocated to approved money-earning activities be included on a Highest Awards time log?
A: The time allocated to money-earning activities can be included on a Highest Award time log. However, the time spent on money-earning activities should be a minor portion (only around 5-10%) of the total number of hours. Additionally, the amount of time entered is based on each Girl Scout’s individual participation, not the collective cumulative time contributed by the troop (Girl Scout Bronze Award) or small team (Girl Scout Silver Award).
Additional Questions?
There are several contacts shared throughout this document in reference to specific questions/topics. If after reviewing the document in its entirety you still have questions, please reach out to our team at info@girlscoutsp2p org or 800-672-2148
Money-Earning Progression by Grade Level
GIRL SCOUT DAISIES
GIRL SCOUT BROWNIES
Girl Scout Daisies are not encouraged to conduct additional moneyearning activities but instead to participate in council-sponsored product programs. They should not be responsible for money but can practice skills like counting back change. They should be making decisions about the activities they are doing as a troop and learning that those activities have an associated cost.
Girl Scout Brownies will want to make decisions about the activities they are doing as a troop and how they will earn the money to do those activities. They want to be able to finish everything they start but will need to be given adequate time to do so. Adult volunteers should offer money-earning ideas that they know the girls are capable of doing so the girls can select the money-earning activity as a group and complete the task, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
GIRL SCOUT JUNIORS
Girl Scout Juniors should be able to come up with some of their own money-earning activity ideas. Help them brainstorm ideas and have them make a choice as a group. Girl Scout Juniors should also begin to learn the basics of a budget. Teach them the basics of setting up a budget for the activities that they want to do for the year and how to earn money to accomplish those activities.
GIRL SCOUT CADETTES
GIRL SCOUT SENIORS & AMBASSADORS
Girl Scout Cadettes should be able to carry out budgeting, planning and group money-earning activities with guidance from adult volunteers. They should also be able to plan and carry out the money-earning activities that they decide on as a group. Girls at this age will need support and guidance from adult volunteers to stay focused on the task at hand.
Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors should be able to carry out budgeting, planning and group money-earning activities with guidance from leaders Adult volunteers will act more like advisors during this time. Seniors and Ambassadors should also be able to plan and carry out the money-earning activities that they decide on as a group. Girls will need minimal guidance.
