Troop Finances

With your guidance, your Girl Scouts will learn money skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Your Girl Scout troop will plan and finance its own activities, and you’ll coach your Girl Scouts as they earn and manage troop funds. Troop activities are powered by proceeds earned through council-sponsored product program activities (such as the Girl Scout Cookie Program), group money-earning activities (council-approved, of course), and any dues your troop may charge.

Remember that all funds collected, raised, earned, or otherwise received in the name of and for the benefit of Girl Scouting belong to the troop as a whole and must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Funds are administered through the troop and do not belong to individuals.

Establishing a Troop Account toggle arrow

No matter how much your troop plans to save or spend, you'll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product program proceeds, and other funds. A bank account is required to participate in Girl Scout Cookie Program and Fall Product Program.

If you've stepped up to lead an existing troop, you may inherit a checking account, but with a new troop, you'll want to open a new bank account. Here's the step-by-step guide to help set up a new bank account:

Determine two signers for your troop/SU bank account. These will be the Troop/SU Banking Specialists. These signers should be unrelated, from separate households and approved Girl Scout volunteers in good standing with the council. Both must be a registered member of GSUSA/GSCP2P and pass a criminal background check.
Decide which bank you will use. GSCP2P has a corporate relationship established with Truist and First Citizens Bank. The use of Truist or First Citizens Bank for troop/SU accounts is required unless neither of these banks are reasonably accessible. The use of another bank must be approved by GSCP2P's finance department prior to opening the account.
Get the needed forms from GSCP2P by submitting the New Bank Account Request Form online. The Customer Care Team will complete any membership and background checks and your Engagement Manager will assign any new signers the Banking Specialist training in gsLearn. Once completed, they will prepare and e-mail your personalized Bank Authorization Form and send a blank Troop/SU ACH Authorization Form.
Visit your local bank branch to open the account. All approved signers must be present with their IDs and their personalized Troop/SU Bank Authorization Form to set up the new account. Truist and First Citizens have established procedures for opening a Girl Scout account in their system and typically do not require a deposit. We recommend calling ahead to request an appointment with someone experienced in setting up Girl Scout accounts.
Return the completed Troop/SU ACH Authorization Form to info@girlscoutsp2p.org within two weeks. This signals the completion of the troop/SU banking process and will initiate the $50 new troop startup funds (if applicable, first-time new troops only). If you have any questions or problems related to establishing your bank account that you could not resolve with the bank, please contact us at info@girlscoutsp2p.org with as much information as possible, including the bank, branch location and banker name.

Money-Earning Basics for Troops toggle arrow

Troops flex their financial muscles in two distinct ways:

The Girl Scout Cookie Program and other product sales of Girl Scouts (authorized product sales such as calendars, magazines, or nuts and candy) organized by your council. All youth members are eligible to participate in two council-sponsored product program activities each year with volunteer supervision—the Girl Scout Cookie Program and one other council-authorized product program. Please remember, volunteers and Girl Scout council staff don’t sell cookies and other products—Girl Scouts do.

Group money-earning activities organized by the troop (not by the council) that are planned and carried out by Girl Scouts (in partnership with volunteers) and that earn money for the group.

Participation Guidance toggle arrow

Girl Scout participation in both council-sponsored product program activities and group money-earning projects is based on the following:

Voluntary participation.
Permission of each member’s parent or guardian.
An understanding of (and ability to explain clearly to others) why the money is needed.
An understanding that money earning should not exceed what the group needs to support its program activities.
Observance of local ordinances related to involvement of children in money-earning activities as well as health and safety laws.
Vigilance in protecting the personal safety of each member.
Arrangements for safeguarding the money.

Additional Guidelines toggle arrow

Keep these specific guidelines—some of which are required by the Internal Revenue Service—in mind to ensure that sales are conducted with legal and financial integrity.

All rewards earned by Girl Scouts through the product program activities must support Girl Scout program experiences (such as camp, travel, and program events, but not scholarships or financial credits toward outside organizations).
Rewards are based on sales ranges set by councils and may not be based on a dollar-per-dollar calculation.
Troops are encouraged to participate in council product programs as their primary money-earning activity; any group money earning shouldn’t compete with the Girl Scout Cookie Program or other council product programs.
Obtain written approval from your council before a group money-earning event; most councils ask that you submit a request for approval.
Girl Scouts discourages the use of games of chance. Any activity which could be considered a game of chance (raffles, contests, bingo) must be approved by the local Girl Scout council and be conducted in compliance with all local and state laws.
Girl Scouts Blue Book of Basic Documents policy forbids Girl Scouts from the direct solicitation of cash. Girl Scouts can collect partial payment toward the purchase of a package of Girl Scout Cookies and other Girl Scout–authorized products through participation in council-approved product program donation programs.
Girl Scouts forbids product demonstration parties where the use of the Girl Scout trademark increases revenue for another business, such as in-home product parties. Any business using the Girl Scout trademark or other Girl Scout intellectual property must seek authorization from GSUSA.
Group money-earning activities need to be suited to the ages and abilities of the participants and be consistent with the principles of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Money earned is for Girl Scout activities and is not to be retained by individuals. Girl Scouts can, however, be awarded incentives and/or may earn credits from their Girl Scout product programs. Funds acquired through group money-earning projects must be reported and accounted for by the group according to council procedures.
Raising money in times of national or international emergency. Per Girl Scouts Blue Book of Basic Documents policy, the National CEO in consultation with the National Board Chair may give permission to raise money in times of a major national or international emergency with prior written notice to the National Board. Councils will be notified of this action in writing and troops should consult with their council for appropriate guidelines. Councils may designate an outside organization to receive donations.

Sample Money-Earning Activities toggle arrow

Collections/Drives

Cell phones for refurbishment
Used ink cartridges turned in for money
Christmas tree recycling

Food/Meal Events

Lunch box auction (prepared lunch or meal auctioned off)
Themed meals, like a high tea or a build-your-own-taco bar, related to activities Girl Scouts are planning; for instance, if they are earning money for travel, they could tie the meal to their destination

Service(s)

Service-a-thon (people sponsor a Girl Scout doing service and funds go to support a trip or other activity)
Babysitting for holiday (New Year’s Eve) or council events
Raking leaves, weeding, cutting grass, shoveling snow, walking pets
Cooking class or other specialty class

The Girl Scout Cookie Program and other council-sponsored product programs are designed to unleash the entrepreneurial potential in Girl Scouts. From there, your troop may decide to earn additional funds on its own.

Help Your Troop Reach Its Financial Goals toggle arrow

As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to facilitate girl-led financial planning, which may include the following steps for your troop:

Set goals for money-earning activities. What does the group hope to accomplish through this activity? In addition to earning money, what skills do they hope to build? What leadership opportunities present themselves?
Create a budget. Use a budget worksheet that includes both expenses (the cost of supplies, admission to events, travel, and so on) and available income (the group’s account balance, projected cookie proceeds, and so on).
Determine how much the group needs to earn. Subtract expenses from available income to determine how much money your group needs to earn.
Make a plan. The group can brainstorm and make decisions about its financial plans. Will cookie and other product programs—if approached proactively and energetically—earn enough money to meet the group’s goals? If not, which group money-earning activities might offset the difference? Will more than one group money-earning activity be necessary to achieve the group’s financial goals? In this planning stage, engage them through the Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) and consider the value of any potential activity. Have them weigh feasibility, implementation, and safety factors.
Write it out. Once the group has decided on its financial plan, describe it in writing. If the plan involves a group money-earning activity, fill out an application for approval from your council and submit it along with the budget worksheet your troop created.

Remember: It’s great for Girl Scouts to have opportunities like the Girl Scout Cookie Program to earn funds that help them fulfill their goals. As a volunteer, try to help them balance the money earning they do with opportunities to enjoy other activities that have less emphasis on earning and spending money. Take Action projects, for example, may not always require them to spend a lot of money!

Financial Management and Product Program Abilities by Grade Level toggle arrow

Girl Scout Daisies

The group volunteer handles money, keeps financial records, and does all group budgeting.
Parents/caregivers may decide they will contribute to the cost of activities.
Daisies can participate in Girl Scout Cookie Program activities and other council-sponsored product programs.
Daisies are always paired with a volunteer when selling anything. They do the asking and deliver the product, but volunteers handle the money and keep them safe.
Daisies should be given the opportunity to practice identifying money and counting back change with an adult during each transaction.

Girl Scout Brownies

The group volunteer handles money, keeps financial records, and shares some of the group budgeting responsibilities.
Brownies discuss the cost of activities (supplies, fees, transportation, rentals, and so on) with guidance from their volunteer(s).
Brownies set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product programs.
Brownies may decide to pay dues to contribute to the cost of activities.

Girl Scout Juniors

The group volunteer retains overall responsibility for long-term budgeting and record keeping but shares or delegates all other financial responsibilities.
Juniors set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product programs.
Juniors decide on group dues, if any. Dues are collected by them and recorded by a group treasurer selected by the troop.
Juniors budget for the short-term needs of the group based on their plans and income from the group dues.
Juniors budget for more long-term activities, such as overnight trips, group camping, and special events.
Juniors budget for Take Action projects including the Girl Scout Bronze Award if they are pursuing it.

Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors

Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors estimate costs based on plans.
They determine the amount of group dues, if any, and the scope of money-earning projects.
Set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product programs.
Carry out budgeting, planning, and group money-earning programs.
Budget for extended travel, Take Action projects, and leadership projects including the Girl Scout Silver or Girl Scout Gold Awards, if they are pursuing them.
May be involved in seeking donations for Take Action projects with council approval.
Keep their own financial records and give reports to parents and group volunteers.

Working with Sponsors and Other Organizations toggle arrow

Local sponsors can help councils power innovative programs for Girl Scouts. Community organizations, businesses, religious organizations, and individuals may be sponsors and may provide group meeting places, volunteer their time, offer in-kind donations, provide activity materials, or loan equipment. Encourage your Girl Scouts to celebrate a sponsor’s contribution to the troop by sending thank-you cards, inviting the sponsor to a meeting or ceremony, or working together on a Take Action project.

For information on working with a sponsor, consult your council, which can give you guidance on the availability of sponsors, recruiting guidelines, and any council policies or practices that must be followed. Your council may already have relationships with certain organizations or may know of some reasons not to collaborate with certain organizations.

When collaborating with any other organization, keep these additional guidelines in mind:

Avoid fundraising for other organizations. Girl Scouts are not allowed to solicit money on behalf of another organization when identifying themselves as Girl Scouts by wearing a uniform, a sash or vest, official pins, and so on. This includes participating in a walkathon or telethon while in uniform. However, you and your group can support another organization through Take Action projects. Girl Scouts as individuals are able to participate in whatever events they choose as long as they are not wearing anything that officially identifies them as Girl Scouts.

Steer clear of political fundraisers. When in an official Girl Scout capacity or in any way identifying yourselves as Girl Scouts, your group may not participate, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign or work on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office. Letter-writing campaigns are not allowed, nor is participating in a political rally, circulating a petition, or carrying a political banner.

Be respectful when collaborating with religious organizations. Girl Scout groups must respect the opinions and practices of religious partners, but no one should be required to take part in any religious observance or practice of the sponsoring group.

Avoid selling or endorsing commercial products. A commercial product is any product sold at a retail location. Since 1939, Girl Scouts and volunteers have not been allowed to endorse, provide a testimonial for, or sell such products.

Disbanding Troops and Unused Troop Funds toggle arrow

When a troop disbands, any unused Girl Scout money left in the account becomes the property of the council. Troop funds are not the property of any individual member. Before disbanding, ask your Girl Scouts how they want to pay it forward. They may decide to pay for Girl Scout activities or to donate any unused funds to their service unit or to another troop. Activities can also include purchasing materials to support another organization through Take Action projects.

Closing the Troop Account toggle arrow

When closing a troop account, be sure all checks and other debits have cleared the account before you close it. Remember, you may have to close the account in person. Turn remaining funds over to a council staff member.

GSCP2P Troop Disband Process:

1. Notify your Service Unit Specialist and Engagement Manager.

2. Make sure all members of the troop and their families are aware that the troop is disbanding. For girls who wish to continue in Girl Scouts, provide information about transferring membership and placement.

3. As a troop, decide on how to use remaining funds. Encourage this decision to be made by the girls. They may decide to donate any unused funds to their service unit, to another troop or to pay for Girl Scout activities. Activities can also include purchasing materials to support another organization through Take Action projects.

If a girl joins a different troop, you should transfer a portion of funds to the girl's new troop.

Any remaining funds in the account when it is closed will be transferred to the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont new troop start-up fund. Please note: Troop funds are for Girl Scout activities and are not to be kept by individuals as their personal property.

4. Complete the Disbanded Troop Report Form and return to your Engagement Manager. Let them know you have closed the troop bank account and if the funds were distributed or will be returned to the council.

5. Complete an Annual Troop Finance Report.

6. If troop bank account has been closed, be sure to cut or shred all blank checks and bank cards. Troop financials should be kept by leader for a minimum of three years.

7. Delete any troop Facebook pages or groups and take down related websites.

8. Gather troop resources, e.g., handbook, leader's guide, etc. and financial records. Troop supplies and materials can be given to the service unit, other troops or the council to be recycled to other Girl Scouts.

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