Fall Product Program

Fund your next adventure.

Sharpen your entrepreneurship skills and support your troop along the way.

Quick, easy, and fun, the Fall Product Program is a great opportunity for troops to earn money for activities during the Girl Scout year. Girls sell items to friends and family such as nuts, candy, magazines, and—new in 2023—a Girl Scout-themed Mini BarkBox for the dogs in our lives!

Through the program, girls learn five essential entrepreneurial skills, just as they do in the Girl Scout Cookie® Program: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Girls will also be encouraged to participate in a council-wide community service project, Operation Care to Share, that benefits the San Antonio Food Bank, USO, Fisher House, and Ronald McDonald House.

Fall Product Program Girl Permission Slip (online form)

2023 Fall Product Program Important Dates

Monday, August 7-Wednesday, November 1	Troop Nut Manager (TNM) training available Available on gsLearn (After you access your account, search for the “590 Troop Nut Manager Training”)
Friday, September 1	Order taking begins
11:59 p.m. Thursday, October 5	Parent/caregiver paper order entry ends
11:59 p.m. Saturday, October 7	TNM paper order entry ends
11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 8	Community Nut Manager (CNM) paper order entry and online girl delivery ends
Reward selections due by girls in M2	Tuesday, October 31
Rewards delivered to SNM	Week of November 27

Additional Incentives for 2023

Own Your Magic—Monday, August 7-Wednesday, August 16

To earn $50 Nut Bucks for your troop and Volunteer Patch for you if you/your troop complete the following by Aug. 16:

Complete TNM Training and agreement in gsLearn
Have an active/compliant troop bank account or have submitted an Agreement to Deposit form
Submitted your troop June Finance Report by June 15
Have your troop complete five online girl permission slips OR 60 percent of girls submit permission slips (troop roster based on numbers in MyGS as of August 7)

NEW—Troop Care to Share

To help start the celebrating Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas’ 100th Anniversary in 2024, troops that reach $100 in Gift of Caring donations (20 units) for the 2023 Fall Product Program will receive tickets to attend a 100th Anniversary Kickoff Event (invites for Girl Scouts with any sales and two adults).

Training Videos

Webinars

TNM training: Available on gsLearn (After you access your account, search for the “590 Troop Nut Manager Training”)
Fall Product Program Review: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, September 6
Fall Products are Coming: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, October 4
Note: All webinars will be listed in gsLearn Live Events and webinar recordings above will be available within 24-48 hours.

Videos for Parents/Caregivers

Videos for TNMs

For CNMs:

How to Enter or Edit Product and Reward Delivery Address

Forms & Materials

Parent/Caregiver

Fall Product Program Girl Permission Slip (online form)
2023 Fall Product Program Family Guide (pdf)
2023 Fall Product Program Reward Guide (pdf)
2023 Fall Product Program Rewards (video)
2023 Fall Product Program M2 Virtual Storefront Guide (pdf)

Troop Nut Manager (TNM)

2023 Fall Product Program TNM Companion (pdf)
2023 Fall Product Program TNM Pocket Guide (pdf)
2023 Fall Product Program Parent Training for TNMs (pdf) (coming soon)
ACH Balance Due, Proceeds, and Adjustments Information (pdf)
ACH Adjustment Form (troop only) (online form)
TNM End-of-Program Report (online form)

For Community Nut Mangers (CNMs) Only

2023 Fall Product Program CNM Supplement (pdf)
CNM End-of-Program Report (online form)

Other Forms

Other Resources

For Parents:

For TNM:

For CNM:

How to enter or edit product and reward delivery address

Additional Fall Product Program Information

FAQs

Do new Girl Scouts have to wait until October 1 to begin selling?

No. If girls are registered for the 2023-2024 Girl Scout Membership Year, they can participate in the Fall Product Program beginning September 1.

When do we take orders?

Girls can begin taking orders on Friday, September 1. Girl orders can be entered and updated online between then and Sunday, October 8. M2 will close 11:59 p.m. October 8 to Troop Nut Managers.

No late orders will be accepted online. Please email our Customer Care team customercare@girlscoutsswtx.org if you missed the order deadline.

Can girls sell candy and nuts on the Internet?

Yes. Nuts, candies, and even magazines can be sold through the girl’s virtual storefront. Have the participating girl and her guardian visit www.girlscoutmagazines.com/gsswtx on or after Friday, September 1, to set up her virtual storefront.

What do I do if a parent places an order after the order deadline?

All troop orders are due online by 10:59 p.m. Sunday, October 8. Late orders will not be accepted.

Unlike the Girl Scout Cookie program, extra product is not available to fill late orders or re-orders.

Can we hold a booth sale?

No. Booth sales are not part of the Fall Product Program.

When will we get our product?

Products will be delivered to your Community Nut Manager (CNM) Fri., Oct. 20 or Sat., Oct. 21. Check with your CNM to schedule your pick-up time.

Can any product be returned to my CNM or to GSSWT?

No. Nut and candy orders are not returnable.

What do I do if our product is delivered damaged or melted?

Contact the Product Program Department immediately. Usually, damaged products can be exchanged but only until Tuesday, October 24.

What if a parent/caregiver does not pick up their order?

All products should be picked up by Monday, October 23. Any products that are not picked up should be sold or redistributed to girls in your troop(s). If you need additional assistance, make plans early to reach out to your Community Nut Manager and GSSWT; we cannot help you at the end of the program, and we do not recommend you wait for parents/caregivers who do not meet your deadlines.

Are credit cards accepted?

Yes. Credits cards can be used if an order is placed online on the girl’s virtual storefront or if the troop utilizes the Square device.

Please note: Fees must NOT be passed onto the customer.

Social Media Guidelines

We know that girls aren’t going door-to-door as much as they used to and that social media, email, texting, and neighborhood groups are today’s online version of that. With the use of these sites and apps to market and reach supporters, you and your Girl Scout must remember that this is a girl-led program and follow all Product Program online safety guidelines.

Girls and adults:

You cannot share a direct storefront link as part of any post.
You can share the direct storefront link in a private message to anyone who would like to place an order.
You must identify yourself/your girl as a Girl Scout when selling, and we encourage you to use your troop number as well (if applicable).
You can only create a social media post that is set to the privacy level of your Friends list. The post cannot be made public and be shared with the public.
You cannot give out any specific information such as an address, telephone number(s), parent/guardian place of work address/telephone number(s), and girl’s name and location of their school on social media.
Adults must accompany girls in grades K-5 and supervise girls in grades 6-12.
Girls under the age of 13 may use their parent/guardian’s private social media account.
Girls older than the age of 13 may use their own social media account or their parent/guardian’s private social media account.

Example ideal post:

My Girl Scout in Troop 662 is selling yummy chocolate, nuts, magazines, and more on her online site! Her troop is raising money for their trip to Savannah, Georgia, (the birthplace of Girl Scouts) in the spring. DM me if you are interested in supporting her troop! 😊

Important reminder for adults: While your Girl Scout needs approval and supervision to utilize these marketing tools, it is important to remember that this is a girl-led program. We encourage you to encourage and allow your Girl Scout(s) to learn by doing and lead her own participation in the program.

Girls cannot post to:

Facebook groups
Neighborhood sites/groups
Craigslist
eBay
Amazon
Facebook Marketplace
Any other resale sites

Girls may only post about their participation in Girl Scouts’ Product Programs on social media sites that allow them to restrict access to family and friends only.

All About Proceeds

Remember: Troops without a bank account are still able to participate in the Fall Product Program if they submit an Agreement to Deposit form (email our Customer Care team at customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org to request one). Without a bank account, this agreement is a requirement to receive M2 access or program materials.

All troops will receive 18% proceeds based on the total amount of product sold.

To calculate troop proceeds:

Multiply your gross sales by 18% of Proceeds: Gross Sales ($) x 0.18
Find your troop proceeds listed on M2 under “Banking and Payments.”

How to Earn an Addition 7% Bonus

Eligible troops can earn an additional 7% bonus by meeting ALL of the following criteria in their entirety:

Troops must have registered 75% of your troop members (roster as of March 31) by the Ultimate Early Bird Deadline (April 15)
Troops must have participated in the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program, have turned in all end-of-program paperwork no later than Monday, March 6, and not have any outstanding balance.
Troops must have turned in their June 2023 Troop Finance Report no later than June 15.

Your Community Nut Manager (CNM) will be provided with a list of troops earning the 7% bonus.

Please note that independently registered girls are not eligible for this bonus.

Note: If believe your troop should be receiving the Ultimate Early Bird bonus percentage, contact the Product Program department before Frida, October 6, at customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org. No changes will be made after that date.

How Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Troops Can Earn an Additional 7% Bonus

Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops can earn an additional 7% bonus by opting out of rewards and meeting the following criteria:

Reach a TROOP per Girl Average of 320 units sold.
Submit a Fall Product Program Reward Opt-Out Guidelines and Form with all required signatures to customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org no later than 5 p.m. Monday, October 30.

Note: If believe your troop should be receiving the opt-out of rewards bonus percentage, contact the Product Program department before Tuesday, October 31, at customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org. No changes will be made after that date.

Independently Registered Girl Participation

Any registered Girl Scout can participate in the Fall Product Program without a troop. Instead, she can participate as an independently registered girl (IRG)! She is able to run her Fall Product business just as if she were in a troop. We only require that her parent/caregiver complete the online Troop Nut Manager (TNM) training and agreement, and that they assist in her girl-led adventure!

IRGs receive awards just as they would in a troop and have access to the program proceeds via an IRG Fund that can be applied to Girl Scout events, Girl Scout Shop purchases, and camps. Help your Girl Scout by giving her the opportunity to learn five essential skills for success today and in her future: Goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

How to participate as an IRG:

Adults/caregivers: Complete the TNM training on gsLearn.

Please note: An adult membership is required to access gsLearn.
Submit the IRG Troop Manager agreement included at the end of the training.
Complete the online Fall Product Program Girl Permission Slip for your Girl Scout.
Register or renew, if you haven’t already, your Girl Scout for the current membership year. This is a requirement to participate.
Help your Girl Scout establish and run her own Fall Product program, ensuring you follow program guidelines and deadlines (see the TNM and TCM companions in the Forms & Materials section of this page).
Celebrate her accomplishment!

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Product Program team at customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org.

Independently Registered Girl Fund Usage

Girls participating in the Fall Product Program earn proceeds based on program criteria. Girls can utilize these funds for Girl Scout programs, events, and activities throughout the year. Funds are not allocated directly to individual girls based on their sales due to the IRS Tax Exemption requirements stating that no individual can receive a personal benefit from a fundraiser held by an organization with a non-profit status.

All IRG proceeds will be pooled at the council and tracked by the Product Program Department.

IRG Funds Usage

A girl may apply for funds that will help her:
- Complete service projects.
- Partialend GSSWT summer camp.
- Pay for her Girl Scout annual membership.
- Purchase items from the GSSWT or GSUSA shop.
- Participate in other Girl Scout events and activities.
For any events outside of GSSWT, IRGs will be required to apply and be approved for funds by the Individually Registered Girl (IRG) Funds Committee, led by volunteers.
All girls who participated in either product program as an IRG and have deposited 100% of all product money to GSSWT at the end of the program are eligible to apply for IRG funds.
Each request by girls will be reviewed individually, so a girl who participated as an IRG can apply as many times as she wishes to use IRG funds.
The IRG Fund may NOT be used for:
- Adult registrations (programs, events, courses, membership, etc.).
- Private lessons/events, such as school or sport trips, etc.
- Purchasing retail shop gift cards.
- Donations to other nonprofits.z
  
  The funds cannot be transferred to another Girl Scout or council and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Apply for IRG Funds

At the end of the program, IRGs will be notified via email if they qualify to apply for IRG funds and will receive the application form.
The girl will complete the application and include her:
- Name,
- Assigned Product Program ID number (9###),
- Grade Level,
- Specific activity request, and
- How it will help her in her Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
The application must also be submitted with a corresponding completed girl membership form, program event registration form, camp registration form, etc. See our Forms and Documents page for details.
Submit the completed application and any corresponding forms to the Product Program department by emailing customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org.
The Product Program Department will then either approve the request if it is a GSSWT activity or Girl Scout Shop purchase or will forward the application to the IRG Funds Committee, a subcommittee of the Product Program Volunteer Team, with only the applicant’s grade, specific activity request, and how it will help in her Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Based on the information submitted, the committee will evaluate the request and respond accordingly.
All requests for funds should be made two to three weeks prior to an activity or, for troop/community reimbursements, no later than three months after a purchase.

Note on Girl Scout Shop Purchases

Girls may apply to use the IRG Fund to purchase merchandise in the Girl Scout Shop that will help her in her leadership experience.

This can include:

Badge and Journey books.
Badge activity sets.
Uniform components, including badges and patches.
Girl Scout T-shirts.

Note on Reimbursements

Reimbursements will ONLY be given to troop, communities, or other councils.
Requests for reimbursements must include receipts documenting requested funds.
Reimbursements will only be given events that have already occurred and attendance is verified, if applicable.
Effective October 1, 2020, IRG Fund requests for reimbursements directly to parents are NOT accepted. IRGs will be required to apply in advance of the event, shop purchase, etc., for fund usage.

Availability of IRG Funds

The IRG Funds Committee will consider applications for use of funds until the IRG Fund pool is depleted or until the funds for the membership year have expired. (For example, individual girl proceeds from the 2023 Fall Product Program will expire December 1, 2024).

Current funds still available:

2022 Fall Product Program funds, which expire Friday, December 1, 2023

The Product Program Department will email IRGs who qualify to apply for IRG Funds quarterly updates on the IRG Funds pool and how much time they have left to apply.

Funds left over in the IRG Funds pool will be used by GSSWT for council-sponsored activities and scholarships.

Questions? Email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org.