Important update about membership renewal
November 20, 2024
Dear Girl Scout Community,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am filled with gratitude to be part of this incredible Girl Scout family. Your dedication to empowering girls and making a positive impact in our communities is truly inspiring.
Looking ahead to the 2025 membership year, Girl Scouts of Colorado has made the decision to move from providing a single-day 50% discount on early-renewal membership dues to a pay-what-you-can model during early renewal. Originally introduced as we were emerging from COVID, over the past three years, the cost for GSCO to fund Discount Day has been more than $100,000 annually ($354,000 total). With the recent national vote to increase dues, we will shift this council investment to cover what we anticipate will be an increased need for financial assistance.
We hope the new pay-what-you-can model will ensure equity for our members as they adjust to the new dues levels. During early-renewal time from April 1 to June 15, 2025, troops and individuals can choose to pay at the level they are most comfortable.
For some, that might mean paying the full $45 per youth member. Others might be able to pay $25, while others still might feel comfortable paying $90 to help cover membership for another Girl Scout. (Any amount above the dues price is considered a donation, is tax-deductible, and will be dedicated to financial assistance for memberships for those who need a little extra help.)
No matter what you choose to pay, GSCO is responsible for providing GSUSA the full $45 for every youth member and $30 for every adult member. We know the dues increase will be hard for some of our Girl Scout families, and we are committed to ensuring that every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout can be, no matter their family’s financial situation.
We commit that the funds budgeted for Discount Day will be used to fund financial assistance for those who need it most. This annual council investment is in addition to the more than $250,000 we already commit each year to financial assistance.
We trust that because we’re Girl Scouts, and we firmly believe Girl Scouts will do the right thing and be a sister to every Girl Scout, that you will truly consider what you can pay because you know the community of Girl Scouts brings people together and being a part of that community brings a shared responsibility.
As we work to defray costs for Girl Scout families as much as possible, we are working to increase philanthropic support to help fund our ability to do so. Over the past four years, we've increased gifts to Girl Scouts of Colorado by 85% and expanded our community partnerships and funded programs. We are continuing our efforts in this area and reaching out to funders for additional support. We are also embarking on an exercise to analyze our own structure and processes to identify cost savings wherever possible.
After the early renewal period, we will re-evaluate this pay-what-you-can approach, including asking for your feedback on how the process worked. New members and those renewing after June 15 will pay the $45 (youth) or $30 (adult) annual dues, and financial assistance will continue to be made available for those who need extra help.
In addition, we are working on donor-supported Early Bird renewal incentives like a chance for a troop to win a weekend at a GSCO camp property, and the chance for a family to attend a live rocket launch, including roundtrip airfare.
We all know the value of Girl Scouting goes well beyond the amount we pay for membership dues. It’s difficult to put a dollar figure on the lifelong friendships forged, the confidence built, the leadership skills developed, the career aspirations ignited.
Together, we can ensure that every girl can build her confidence, discover her passion and grow as a leader. Girls need Girl Scouts now more than ever and our society needs more Girl Scouts. Thank you for being part of this incredible Girl Scout community.
Sincerely,
Leanna Clark
CEO
Girl Scouts of Colorado
Ways you can support!
- Adopt a Girl Scout! You don’t have to wait until April 1 if you or your troop would like to contribute $45 or more to support membership dues for a Girl Scout in need, you can donate today and the funds will be directed to financial assistance for memberships.
- Do some of your holiday shopping at shop.girlscoutsofcolorado.orgor at our Colorado Boulevard retail store or The Boutique at the Girl Scout DreamLab. We have Girl Scout branded and non-branded gifts and 100% of proceeds stays right here in Colorado supporting Girl Scouts of Colorado.
- Give to Girl Scouts of Colorado on Colorado Gives Day (or right now, Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 10 but donations can be scheduled any time in November) and help us take advantage of the Gives Day Match.
- Share your Girl Scout experience with friends and family and ask them to give on Colorado Gives Day or directly through our site.
- Support your girls as they sell cookies! Buy cookies, gift cookies, donate cookies starting on Feb. 2.
- Connect us with alums and supportive organizations who may want to help.
