Your Girl Scout troop will plan and finance its own activities, and you’ll coach your girls 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 and must be used for the purposes of Girl Scouting. Funds are administered through the troop and do not belong to individuals.
No matter how much your troop plans on saving or spending, you’ll need a safe place to deposit your troop dues, product sale proceeds, and other funds. 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 are a few helpful tips:
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.
As an authorized signer on a troop account, you are expected to comply with GSDH Troop and Service Unit Funds Policies as well as the Troop/Service Unit Authorized Account Signer Responsibilities. Prior to adding yourself or another volunteer as an authorized signer to a troop bank account ensure you are familiar with these policies and responsibilities. Once you have identified two (2) registered and approved Girl Scout adults to be signers on the troop bank account follow the steps outlines on How to Open a New Troop/Service Unit Checking Account.
For more information, revie the Troop Finance FAQs.
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 girls how they want to pay it forward: 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.
When a troop has made the decision to disband, follow the Disbanding Troop Procedure and submit the Disbanding Troop form to notify council of the troop's decision.
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.
When the troop decides to disband reach out to your Troop Engagement Specialist who can work with you and your troop through the Disbanding Troop Procedure.
Troops flex their financial muscles in two distinct ways:
Participation Guidance
Girls’ participation in both council-sponsored product sale activities and group money-earning projects is based upon the following:
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.
Sample Money-Earning Activities
Collections/Drives
Food/Meal Events
Service(s)
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and other council-sponsored product sales are designed to unleash the entrepreneurial potential in your girls. From there, your troop may decide to earn additional funds on its own.
If the troop chooses to participate in addional fundraising opportunities, complete the Money Earning Application to request approval of the activity. Form must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the activity.
If a Girl Scout would like to fundraise for a Gold Award project, review the Gold Award Fundraising guidelines.
We get it—there’s something exciting about opening that first case of Girl Scout cookies. However, before your girls take part in all the cookie program fun, it’s important they have a clear plan and purpose for their product-sale activities. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to facilitate girl-led financial planning, which may include the following steps for the girls:
Remember: It’s great for girls to have opportunities, like the Girl Scout Cookie Program, to earn funds that help them fulfill their goals as part of the GSLE. As a volunteer, try to help girls 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 girls to spend a lot of money!
As with other Girl Scout activities, girls build their financial and sales savvy as they get older. Every girl will be different, but here you’ll find some examples of the abilities and opportunities for progression of girls at each grade level.
Girl Scout Daisies |
The group volunteer handles money, keeps financial records, and does all group budgeting. |
Parents/guardians may decide they will contribute to the cost of activities. |
Girls can participate in Girl Scout cookie activities and other council-sponsored product sales. |
Daisies are always paired with a volunteer when selling anything. Girls do the asking and deliver the product, but volunteers handle the money and keep the girls secure. |
Girls 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. |
Girls discuss the cost of activities (supplies, fees, transportation, rentals, and so on) with guidance from their volunteer(s). |
Girls set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product sales. |
Girls 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. |
Girls set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product sales. |
Girls decide on group dues, if any. Dues are collected by girls and recorded by a group treasurer (selected by the girls). |
Girls budget for the short-term needs of the group, on the basis of plans and income from the group dues. |
Girls budget for more long-term activities, such as overnight trips, group camping, and special events. |
Girls budget for Take Action projects, including the Girl Scout Bronze Award, if they are pursuing it. |
Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors |
Girls estimate costs based on plans. |
Girls determine the amount of group dues (if any) and the scope of money-earning projects. |
Girls set goals for and participate in council-sponsored product sales. |
Girls carry out budgeting, planning, and group money-earning projects. |
Girls budget for extended travel, Take Action projects, and leadership projects. |
Girls may be involved in seeking donations for Take Action projects, with council approval. |
Girls keep their own financial records and give reports to parents and group volunteers. |
Girls budget for Take Action projects, including the Girl Scout Silver or Gold Awards, if they are pursuing them. |
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 girls 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’re 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 girl 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, girls and volunteers have not been allowed to endorse, provide a testimonial for, or sell such products.
According to the Authorized Account Signer Responsibilities, troops and service unites are required to complete the Annual Finance Report each year by June 15. A copy of the current year May bank statement and the check register must be attached to the Annual Finance Report as well.
View the Just-in-Time: Annual Finance Report for instructions to submit the report.
A Gift In-Kind is a voluntary contribution of goods or services that can be used to advance the mission of Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons or can be readily converted to cash.
Before making a Gift In-Kind Request, we ask that you notify council using the Gift In-Kind Notification form. After making a request, and receiving a gift use the Gift In-Kind Contribution form to report any and all gifts received by your troop/group.
Review the Gift In-Kind Procedure for complete guidelines.
Bank Account Authorization Request Form (ONLINE)
To be submitted to request authorization to open a new troop/service unit bank account or to change a signer on an existing troop/service unit bank account.
Bank Account Confirmation/ACH Form (ONLINE)
To be submitted annually by October 1 and/or within 10 business days of opening or making any changes to your troop/service unit bank account.
Check Register 2021-2022 (June 2021-May 2022) (XLS)
Check Register 2022-2023 (June 2022-May 2023) (XLS)
This excel workbook is used to track troop funds all year long and makes submitting the Annual Finance Report easy.
Excess Funds Request (ONLINE)
Use to request return of excess funds held by council.
NSF Check Reporting Form (ONLINE)
Authorizes Dakota Horizons to assist in collecting funds from an NSF check received during Fall/Cookie Programs.
Oustanding Balance Form (ONLINE)
Submit if the troop has been unsuccessful in collecting funds due from parents when participating in Fall/Cookie Programs.
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