Donations to Troops Procedure
This procedure is strictly in regards to solicitation of charitable donations only.
To be in compliance with the policies and procedures of Girl Scouts USA and the IRS Guidelines, the
following procedures must be met:
Troops and groups may not solicit cash gifts, cash donations or grants of any monetary value.
Generally, troops or groups should not accept donations of $250 or more.
If an unsolicited gift is received by a troop, group or service unit, in excess of $250, the check
must be made payable to Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania (GSWPA) and forwarded to the
corporate office (for processing):
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
30 Isabella Street, Suite 107, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
ATTN: Director, Fund Development.
The troop number or group name should be indicated in the memo line of the check.
A 10% processing fee (maximum fee $25) will be charged.
GSWPA is required by the IRS to send a tax substantiation letter to any donor whose gift is $250
or more. However, thank you letters are sent to anyone who has made a donation through the
GSWPA corporate office.
Exception for Gold Award candidates only.
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Girls participating towards earning an approved Gold Award Project may ask for money,
materials, or services with an approval from the committee and appropriate GS staff.
Some local business and foundations earmark funds for youth projects which may afford
an opportunity for funding of gold award projects.
These requests are viewed by GSWPA as mission related and not for and will not benefit
individual girls (no private enumeration).
Requests will be made on GSWPA letterhead and must clearly state that they are
requesting funding/donation as a Girl Scout Gold Award project participant and not the
Girl Scouts. Sample donation letters given to girls must be altered to contain the above
information. Information will be posted on the website and a clarification given in future
workshops.
Council reserves the right to deny any requests.
For information regarding troop/group money-earning activities, please refer to the Additional Money-
Earning Activities Procedure.