Girl Scouts of the USA meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) work with adult volunteers and mentors to offer programs combining STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the outdoors, development of life skills, and entrepreneurship. In a Girl Scout troop, the organization aims to provide girls a safe space where they can learn new skills, try new things, and feel free to fail, dust themselves off, and try again, all in a nurturing environment that prioritizes their safety and alleviates the pressures of the co-ed world. GSUSA reports that it welcomes girls of all backgrounds and interests, and the Girl Scout program is designed for every girl, equipping her with skills to serve her for life. The organization strives to help girls thrive in five key ways as they develop a strong sense of self, seek challenges and learn from setbacks, display positive values, form and maintain healthy relationships, and identify and solve problems. GSUSA aims for diversity and inclusion, reporting that approximately 30 percent of girl members come from underserved and underrepresented communities.
For the year ended September 30, 2019, Girl Scouts of the USA's program expenses were:
Girl program development and adult learning opportunities |
$50,001,000 |
Comprehensive council support |
$39,209,000 |
Brand promotion and external engagement |
$27,052,000 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$116,262,000 |
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Chief Executive
Judith Batty, Interim Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$0
-
Chair of the Board
Karen Layang
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder and President, M.A.I.T. Co.
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Board Size
30
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Paid Staff Size
432
*Current compensation information not available for Ms. Batty.
Note: Judith Batty became Interim Chief Ececutive Officer on August 16, 2020. In the 2018, the previous CEO, Sylvia Acevedo, received $672,281 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 29% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $17,550,000 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Girl Scouts of the USA's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended September 30, 2019.
Source of Funds |
Membership dues |
$55,762,000 |
Girl Scout merchandise, gross profit |
$23,816,000 |
Gifts, grants, and bequests |
$17,497,000 |
Royalty income |
$9,386,000 |
Investment income |
$7,161,000 |
Software maintenance |
$5,820,000 |
Training/meeting revenue |
$5,156,000 |
Other |
$1,269,000 |
Endowment contributions |
$53,000 |
Total Income |
$125,920,000 |
- Programs: 89%
- Administrative: 8%
- Fundraising: 3%
Total Income |
$125,920,000 |
Program expenses |
$116,262,000 |
Fundraising expenses |
$5,089,000 |
Administrative expenses |
$9,840,000 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$131,191,000 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-5,271,000 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$198,829,000 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-5,840,000 |
Ending Net Assets |
$187,718,000 |
Total Liabilities |
$83,679,000 |
Total Assets |
$271,397,000 |
Note 1: According to GSUSA's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2019, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $189,181,000 in the form of advertising ($186,401,000) computers ($750,000), organization redesign ($726,000), program architect ($506,000), photoshoot and media design ($340,000), Cookie Pro Contest Experience ($300,000), and pro bono legal services ($158,000).
Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to net investment income in excess of income allocation ($1,321,000), change in value of charitable gift annuities ($14,000), change in value of deferred gifts (-$16,000), other nonoperating pension charges (-$1,328,000), and pension costs other than service cost (-$5,831,000).