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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 
You’ll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product program proceeds, and other funds. If you’re a new leader of an existing troop, you may inherit a checking account, but with a new troop, you’ll want to open a new bank account.
Here are a few helpful tips you can take to the bank:
- Be sure to find a bank that has free checking and low fees.
- Designate a “troop treasurer,” that is, one person who is responsible for troop funds and for keeping a daily account of expenditures.
- Ensure your account comes with a debit card that you can use during activities or trips. These transactions are easier to track at the end of the year than cash payments.
- Be prepared and make sure another troop volunteer has a debit card for the troop account in case the main card is lost.
- Handle a lost troop debit card the same way you would a personal debit card: cancel it immediately.
- Keep troop funds in the bank before an activity or trip and pay for as many items as possible in advance of your departure.
Follow your council’s financial policies and procedures for setting up an account. Most council-sponsored product program activities have specific banking and tracking procedures.
Money-Earning Basics for Troops
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.
Troops or service units interested in holding a money-earning activity must first complete a Money-Earning Activity Application for approval. Troop or service unit money-earning activities are not permitted during the GSMH Fall Product Program, GSMH Cookie Program, or area United Way blackout periods. Additionally, troops or service units may only pursue a money-earning activity if they have participated in both the most recent Fall Product Program and Girl Scout Cookie Program, have fulfilled all product program payment obligations, and have submitted an annual Financial Report.
Participation Guidance
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Community Partnership Opportunities
Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland (GSMH) partners with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to expand opportunities for girls while ensuring all fundraising and sponsorship activities remain fully compliant with GSUSA and IRS nonprofit regulations.
These community partnerships include two key initiatives: the Adopt a Troop Program and Give-Back (Fundraiser) Nights.
Adopt a Troop Program
The Adopt a Troop Program connects community members, civic clubs, businesses, and individuals with new or underserved Girl Scout troops who need help covering the essential costs of participation.
Funds raised through this initiative provide in-kind support, including:
- Girl membership fees
- Uniform kits
- Badge sets and starter kits
- Leader guides and onboarding materials
The goal of Adopt a Troop is to help troops start strong and stay active by addressing the initial and renewal costs that often prevent girls from joining or returning each year.
All donations are processed through GSMH—not through individual troops or service units—to maintain compliance and transparency. GSMH uses these funds to purchase and distribute materials directly to the designated community or county based on troop needs.
Donors may choose to support:
- A specific town or county
- The greatest area of need within the council
- A particular program priority (such as membership or uniform support)
Each donor receives acknowledgment and may be recognized through GSMH newsletters, social media, or campaign materials based on their giving level.
All Adopt a Troop funds are used during the fiscal/membership year (October 1 – September 30) in which they are received. Any remaining balance at year’s end supports GSMH’s Financial Assistance Program to ensure continued access for girls across the region.
Council Approval & Resources
- To request support or connect a potential partner to this program:
- Review the Adopt a Troop Guide
- Direct donors or partners to the Adopt a Troop Donor Page
- Notify the Fund Development or Community Investment team at donate@girlscoutsmoheartland.org before any formal outreach.
Fundraiser (Give-Back) Nights
Give-Back Nights are community events hosted by local businesses (restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, etc.) that donate a portion of sales to GSMH’s Adopt a Troop Program.
These partnerships allow volunteers to engage local businesses in supporting Girl Scouts while keeping all activities compliant with GSUSA and IRS standards.
Key guidelines:
- Funds must go to GSMH, not directly to troops or service units.
- GSMH manages all approvals, agreements, and donation processing.
- Donations are used to provide in-kind materials (memberships, uniforms, badges, starter kits) for girls in the host community or county.
- No funds are passed through or managed by troop or service unit volunteers.
Give-Back Nights are ideal for new, bridging, and renewing troops needing help with startup or renewal costs.
They do not replace Product Programs (Cookies or Fall Product) or approved Money-Earning Activities, which should be used for travel, events, or extended troop experiences.
How Give-Back Nights Work
- Identify a local business interested in supporting Girl Scouts.
- Submit the Give-Back Night Request Form for GSMH approval before contacting the business formally.
- Avoid scheduling during:
- The Cookie or Fall Product Programs
- United Way blackout periods for Central Missouri, Pettis County, or Kennett
- GSMH reviews and approves the partnership, provides marketing tools, and manages the donation process.
- After the event, GSMH issues a thank-you letter and tax receipt to the business and distributes in-kind support within that community.
Funds raised through Give-Back Nights are used within the same fiscal/membership year to support Girl Scouts locally.
If a business hosts an event:
- With one troop in the community: proceeds support that troop for the year.
- With multiple troops: proceeds are divided equally.
- County-wide or regional events: GSMH collaborates with the service unit(s) for the greatest impact.
Important Notes
All Adopt a Troop and Give-Back Night activities must be approved by GSMH before outreach or advertising.
Troops and service units cannot directly solicit or collect funds.
Funds raised through these partnerships are used to provide in-kind resources, not cash payments.
All funds are used within the fiscal/membership year (October 1 – September 30) and any unused balance is redirected to GSMH’s Financial Assistance Program to maximize impact for local girls.
In-Kind Donations
Girls cannot ask for donations of money. However, girls and adults may seek in-kind donations of products to support a troop or service unit activity, Highest Award Project, or service project. Examples of in-kind donations include, but are not limited to paint, flowers for corsages, and craft supplies.
If a donor requests a gift receipt, and the product donation is valued at $250 or more, please send the following information to info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org:
1. A comprehensive itemized list of products or services secured with accompanying value (set by the donor) of each item.
2. Full contact information of the donor(s).
3. Full contact information of troop.
Monetary Donations/ Volunteer Hour Match Program
Troops and service units may receive unsolicited donations, as well as funds through company volunteer hour match programs, up to a combined total of $250 per year.
Unsolicited Donations. Unsolicited donations directed to a specific troop or service unit must be turned in to the council along with the troop or service unit number and the donor’s contact information for tax acknowledgment. The council will process the gift, confirm that the troop or service unit has not exceeded the $250 cap, and then forward the donation to the designated troop or service unit. Any amount exceeding the $250 cap will be retained by the council to support council-wide programming for all troops.
For example, if a troop receives a total of $300 in unsolicited donations during a Girl Scout year, the troop will receive $250, and the remaining $50 will be retained by Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland.
Volunteer Hour Match Programs. Girl Scout volunteers are encouraged to apply for their company’s volunteer hour match programs, where employers may offer cash contributions in recognition of the hours employees spend volunteering with Girl Scouts. Volunteers should check with their employer’s human resources office to see if their company offers a volunteer hour match program.
When applying for a match, volunteers must list the designated troop on the employer’s form and complete the Money-Earning Activity Application to confirm the match. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing once the council has received the matching gift.
Important Reminders:
· All monetary donations, whether unsolicited or through a volunteer hour match program, must be accompanied by a completed Money-Earning Activity Application.
· Girl members are not allowed to directly solicit money.
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
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
When closing a troop account, be sure all checks and other debits have cleared the account before you close it. Complete the Troop Bank Account Closing form found on the VTK and submit it to info@girlscoutsmoheartland.org. Remaining funds should be turned into council and will be used for Financial Assistance.
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