Girl Scout Service Centers - Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

�� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Frequently Asked Questions
������������������������ It is the means by which we maintain and grow local Girl Scout programs. It enables Girl Scouts of Greater
Atlanta to serve over 41,000 girls, which represents 8% of the girls in our area. Our goal to increase participation in the Annual Fund
is an e�ort to provide experiences that are proven to build future leaders and to reach a signi�cantly greater number of girls.
������������������������������� Without the Annual Fund, we could not continue to serve all of the girls who are currently
active in Girl Scout programs locally nor could we expand these experiences to more girls. Proceeds from Chocolates & Magazines
and from the Girl Scout Cookie program provide tremendous support and we are very proud of these successful programs, but we
must do more if we are to increase the percentage of girls served and fund Girl Scout programs, eight camp properties, a 34 county
membership support team, trainings and resources for nearly 18,000 adult volunteers, and the indirect expenses associated with an
e�ectively-run, nonpro�t organization. Parent participation in the Annual Fund also demonstrates to grantors and other contributors
that families support their own daughters’ experiences in Girl Scouts.
�������������������������������������������������� Yes. Every donation, regardless of size, makes a di�erence.
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� The $12 membership
fee is sent directly to the national o�ce (GSUSA) to cover the cost of insurance and other services, such as program development,
provided by GSUSA. None of this money is retained by GSGATL.
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� The money you give to your daughter
supports speci�c troop activities. None of that money is used for the services provided by GSGATL. It costs GSGATL approximately
$325 annually to provide services to your daughter, such as training troop volunteers, providing clean, safe campsites and GSGATLwide
activities. Many organizations that o�er as much to young people as Girl Scouting charge a sizable membership fee.
�������������������������������������������� The Annual Fund is direct support to GSGATL and a demonstration of your belief in Girl
Scouting over and above your generous support of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Only part of our income is derived from this source.
We cannot rely on proceeds from the Girl Scout Chocolates and Magazines Program or the Girl Scout Cookie Program to provide
quality programs and to serve all our girl members.
����������������������������������������������������������������������� We do. Every year GSGATL reaches out to hundreds of
local businesses, corporations, foundations and individuals to help defray the cost of the general operation of GSGATL and for special
programming. These funders often see the Annual Fund program as an assurance of the quality of Girl Scouting because it is a vote
of con�dence by our families.
Other Ways You Can Support the Annual Fund
Matching Gifts
Some Companies o�er a matching gifts program as a bene�t to its
employees. When you or your parents make a gift to the Annual Fund, ask
them if their company has a matching gift program. If they are unsure,
have them inquire with their company’s HR department. Matching gifts
can double a donation and they count toward troop and service unit
Annual Fund goals. Make sure you inform Fund Development that the
matching gift is coming so that they can properly credit the gift to your
service unit or troop by emailing annualfund@gsgatl.org.
Volunteer Service Grants
Many large corporations will provide grants to non-pro�ts where their
employees volunteer. Like the matching gifts program, the employee
should check with the company’s Human Resources department to
�nd out if the company does o�er such grants. If it does, the employee
should request a copy of the volunteer service grant application form,
complete it, and return it to their employer. Up to $250 of the grant can go back to the troop or service unit and the remainder
counts toward your Annual Fund goal.
Volunteer Essentials
85