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Our Finances

Funding for Girl Scouts of Western Washington helps provide critical resources, opportunities, and support for our youth and volunteer members as they change the world. Learn where our funding comes from and how it helps sustain our trailblazing Girl Scout members and community for generations to come.

This financial information reflects only our earned income—not the countless hours and contributions from our thousands of volunteers and community members who make Girl Scouting possible. 

How We're Funded

Our funding comes from five primary sources.

  • Product Program: Girl Scout Cookies and other product program sales
  • Philanthropy: Charitable donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other partners
  • Program Fees: Participation fees for camp, events, and other programs
  • Retail: Girl Scout store proceeds from badges, uniforms, gifts, supplies, and merchandise
  • Other: Investments and income including harvest (brush, forest), and unrelated business income
An illustration of a pie chart. Title reads, "Our 2021 Fiscal Year October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021." The pie chart is divided into six sections: Product Sales: $10,525,385; Programming Fees: $200,300; Public Support - $1,699,907; Retail (net COGS*): $152,114; Investment Income: $233; and Other Income**: $2,650,650. Italicized footnotes below the pie chart read, "*Cost of Goods Sold," and "**Other Income includes the $2.4M sale of DuPont. Those proceeds were placed into our investment fund."
  2021 Actual 2021 Budget % to Budget % of Actuals
Product Sales (net COGS) $10,252,385 $14,873,200 71% 69%
Programming Fees $200,300 $840,810 24% 1%
Philanthropy $1,699,907 $1,667,926 102% 11%
Retail (net COGS) $152,114 $228,317 67% 1%
Investment Income $233 $8,426 3% 0%
Other Income* $2,650,650 $271,900 975% 18%
Total $14,955,356 $17,890,579 84% 100%

*Other Income includes the $2.4M sale of DuPont. Those proceeds were placed into our investment fund. 

A blue bar graph with three bars. Title reads, "Product Program Year Over Year." From left to right, the three bars read: FY21 Actuals - $10,525,385; FY21 Budget - $14,873,200; and FY20 Actuals - $17,013,460.

The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic had a far more significant impact on the organization than 2020. Loss of in-person school recruitment and program opportunities resulted in lower membership numbers, significantly impacting our product program sales and program fee revenue. Thanks to our community, we met our fundraising goals, and our Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan was forgiven. Combined with cost-cutting, we ended our year modestly in the black. 

  • Cookies: 29% below budget
  • Philanthropy: 102% of budget
  • Retail: 38% below budget
  • Program: 76% below budget
  • Other Income: 975% of budget (includes $2.3M PPP Loan)
What Our Funding Provides

Our expenses fall into three main categories:

  • Girl Scout Programming: 80%
  • Management & General: 14%
  • Fundraising: 6%
A green and yellow pie chart. The title reads, "Total Expenses." The pie chart reads, "Girl Scout Programming - 80%; Management & General - 14%; and Fundraising - 6%"
  Girl Scout Programming Management & General Fundraising
Funding Source FY21 FY20 FY21 FY20 FY21 FY20
Product Program 88% 94% 24% 97% - -
Philanthropy 9% 3% - - 100% 100%
Program Fees 2% 2% - - - -
Other 1% 1% 76% 3% - -
Retail - - - - - -

Changes in Funding from FY20 to FY21:

  • Due to lack of cookie booth sales in FY21, our product program revenue came in under forecast. While we were able to find a great retail partner to help support cookie sales, we learned Girl Scout Cookie sellers are the true magic behind a successful cookie program.  
  • Increased contributions helped bring in new donors and revenue to offset funding gaps from lower-than-expected cookie sales and program fees.  
  • The sale of our DuPont office space inflated our miscellaneous revenues in FY21. The proceeds from the sale were invested for the long-term security of Girl Scouts of Western Washington. 

Girl Scout Programming = Impact

Most of our expenses (80%) benefit Girl Scout youth and adults through direct services and support.

A pie chart is divided into seven sections. Title reads, "Girl Scout Program Expense Details *Includes Girl Scout/Troop Proceeds." The sections are described as follows: Product Program - 46%*; Non-Camp Programs - 10%; Community Engagement - 5%; Camp Program & Property - 19%; Troop Support Services - 18%; Members Support Services - 9%; and Financial Assistance - 3%
The Girl Scout Cookie Salse Funds:
  • Girl Scout Programming: 44%
  • Cost of Cookies: 23.5%
  • Troop/Individual Proceeds: 19.5%
    • Goes directly back to Girl Scouts who participate in the Cookie Program.
  • Management & General: 13%

Management and general expenses help keep our services available and accessible.

Philanthropy Funding Breakdown:
  • Unrestricted (General Operations): 70%
  • In-kind Goods & Services: 3%
  • Restricted: 27% 
    • Girl Scout Programming: 40%
    • Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiatives (including financial assistance): 30% 
    • Camp Operations: 27% 
    • Regional/County Operations Support: 3%
Our Funding Goals
To best serve current and future Girl Scouts, we need to work toward a more balanced mix of funding. This means maintaining strong revenue from the Girl Scout Cookie Program and other product program sales while growing other revenue streams. Girl Scouts of the USA recommends a funding model with product program revenues contributing no more than 69% of our overall budget, program fees and other income generating 11% of total revenue, and charitable income funding the remaining 20%.
 
We look forward to working together to ensure a healthy, relevant, and sound community of Girl Scouts for generations to come. Our current funding priorities include: 
 
  • Camp: Financially stabilize our camp programs and properties through increased property use and charitable commitments.  
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Recruit Girl Scouts, volunteers, and staff who reflect the diversity of Western Washington. Expand training opportunities for volunteers and increase access to culturally relevant programming.  
  • Innovative Programs: Work with corporate partners to create high-quality programs that give Girl Scouts the tools and skills to meet for emerging industry needs.  
An illustration of three pie charts. The title reads, "Total Expenses." From left to right, the pie charts are titled "FY20 Actuals," "FY21 Actuals," and "Ideal State." A legend is below.

FY21 Capital Investments = $217,703  

  • Camp River Ranch 
    • Water assessment project, mold and pest removal, fuel shed repairs, site house septic system repair
       
  • Camp Robbinswold 
    • Biffy/outhouse repair (C. Ledge), septic issue (E. Forest), hazard tree removal 
       
  • Lyle McLeod 
    • Lodge storage room addition
       
  • Other GSWW Capital Projects 
    • Tacoma retail office buildout 
Annual Report

Review current and past annual reports for Girl Scouts of Western Washington.

   

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Still have questions? Reach out to our customer care team at customercare@girlscoutsww.org for additional information.

Keep her engaged and inspired in challenging times. Renew Now.
Keep her engaged and inspired in challenging times. Renew Now.