How does Girl Scouts receive its funding? Girl Scouts has always been on the forefront of creative and diverse funding. After its founding in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low made many personal sacrifices to support Girl Scouts-she even sold her rare set of matched pearls to ensure financial stability. By the 1920s, Girl Scouts started to receive assistance from Community Chests (now known as the United Way). Also, in the 1920s, sales of homemade cookies were started to support troop expenses. The first commercial contract provided packaged cookies in large volume. Proceeds were shared between the troops and the council. Today, Girl Scouts income is diversified and may include the following:

• Annual giving (individual donations, corporate contributions, foundations, grants, planned gifts and special events)
• Product sale income from the cookie program and fall magazine subscription, nuts and candy program
• Girl Scout Resource Stores
• Investments
• Program fees
• United Way/United Appeal/United Fund allocations from the following:

Donations
How can I support Girl Scouts? There are many ways individuals, corporations and foundations can help support Girl Scouts. Below are only a few ideas, and we welcome any additional suggestions you might have.

• Individual donations-including Family Partnership
• Corporate contributions
• Foundations and grants
• Special events-There are several special events planned by the council. Leaders For Tomorrow, Dazzling Desserts, and Keep the Promise are just a few of the inspiring ways to support the council and attend a Girl Scout event at the same time.
• Matching gift programs-Many corporations provide donations to organizations for employees' volunteer hours or through matching a financial donation made to the organization. Be sure to check with your company's human resources department to see if they participate in this type of program.
• Planned gifts-You can help secure the future of Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland by including Girl Scouts in your will, personal trust or through a planned gift. Planned gifts support the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council's endowment fund, which ensures the future of Girl Scouts so we can continue providing quality programs for girls. For more information, call 487-8101 or e-mail the development director.
• View the 2008 IRS Forms 990 for each of our legacy councils:

  Girl Scouts-Heart of Ohio, Inc.

  Girl Scouts of Heritage Trails Council, Inc.

  Girl Scouts-Seal of Ohio Council, Inc.