frequently asked questions

• frequently asked questions
• campaign incentives

My daughter paid a $12 registration fee this year.  Why do you need the GIFTs for Girls Family Campaign in addition to membership dues?

The $12 Girl Scout membership fee is sent directly to the Girl Scout national headquarters in New York City to cover the cost of insurance, program development, and other services of the national organization.  This money is not retained by our Council.  No part of the registration fee helps pay for the direct service your Girl Scout receives.

Since Girl Scouts sell so many cookies, don’t they already have a reliable funding source?

Although the Girl Scout cookie sale is one successful part of funding, we cannot rely on cookies alone to ensure that Girl Scouting continues to meet the needs of girls throughout central Florida.  Our GIFTs for Girls Family Campaign goal is set to produce the support Girl Scouting needs through adult-generated means.  By creating diverse ways of supporting the program, we ensure that girls today and tomorrow are guaranteed the best Girl Scouting has to offer.

My company has a Matching Gifts fund.  Will that help?

Yes!  A Matching Gift is an excellent way to double or even triple your contribution to the GIFTs for Girls Family Campaign.  Contact your employer’s human resources department to see if Girl Scouting qualifies for a company match.  If they do, return your completed matching gifts application form when you return your GIFTs for Girls Family Campaign contribution.

I am unable to contribute at this time.  Can I make a pledge?

We gratefully accept pledges.  You can choose how often you would like to be billed.  You can pay your pledge by check, debit, credit card or online by clicking the DONATE NOW button at www.citrus-gs.org either in one lump sum payment or via installments.  You have one year to pay it off completely, unless you are making a multi-year pledge.

I buy Girl Scout Cookies.  Isn’t that enough?

Approximately 72% of our annual budget is supported by the product sales’ proceeds.  However, the remaining portion of the cost of serving your Girl Scout and others throughout central Florida comes from the contributions of families and friends of Girl Scouting.  We can’t rely on one source to provide all of the financial support we need to fulfill our mission.  Because we respond to community needs, we must also grow our base of community support.

My daughter is in a troop and I give her money for what she needs.  Why do you need more?

The money you give your daughter supports her specific troop activities.  Troop money is not used for Council services.  It cost our council approximately $280 per girl each year to provide such services as training and supporting troop leaders, providing camping opportunities, and offering council-wide events for all age levels.  Many other organizations that offer activities for youth charge a sizeable membership fee.

Do you ask the local community leaders and businesses for contributions?

Yes, every year our Council reaches out to local corporations, foundations, United Way, and civic groups to help defray the cost of the general operation of the Council and for many special programs.  Strong support from our families and friends influence these donors by demonstrating that our families have made a financial commitment to Girl Scouts.