Financial Assistance

Rev. December 2005

In order to be a member of the Girl Scouts a person must register and pay annual membership dues. The annual membership dues for both girls and adults are $10 per membership year (October 1^st – September 30^th).

Any girl or adult who can not pay the annual membership dues of $10 may receive financial aid by following these procedures;

Submit a written request that includes;

1. Proof of income below poverty level, or
2. Proof of public support, or
3. Explanation of extraordinary circumstances.

The written request should be in a sealed envelop, attached to the membership registration form and submitted to the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio with the registration materials.

If payment of a lesser amount is possible, it will be accepted and should be included with the registration materials.

If an individual is able to repay the amount at a later time, please mail the check or money order to the North Region office: 19201 Villaview Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44119

Program Fees

Troops should budget for their activities and decide in advance on how to handle financial assistance for members of the troop.

The cookie sale is usually the troop’s largest source of income and cookie incentives, i.e. Cookie Dough, can be used to finance program opportunities.

Barbara Parkinson Outdoor Activity Fund

Through the generosity of long time GSNEO volunteers Barbara and Truman Parkinson, there is assistance available, to girls ages 14 and older, through the Barbara Parkinson Outdoor Activity Fund. Funds are available to minimize the cost of outdoor programs for troops and/or individual girls and can be used towards:

Troop or council sponsored outdoor activities (backpacking, group adventure activities, boating, as well as environmental or outdoor leadership opportunities)

Troop or council sponsored campouts

Troop or council sponsored outdoor trips (backpacking, sailing, canoe trips, climbing, spelunking and/or other high adventure trips and activities)

All awarded monies must be spent within 500 miles of the GSNEO-North Region home office located at 19201 Villaview Rd. Cleveland, OH 44119 and must be spent prior to the end of the year in which the money was awarded.

In 1991, Georgianna Bonds, former GSLEC Board President and GSUSA Lifetime Member, established the Georgianna Bonds Wider Opportunity Endowment Fund in order to provide girls and adults with financial assistance and increase participation in international, national, and council sponsored Wider Opportunities (Note: Wider Opportunities are now called S2B Destinations).

Each application for funds is considered based on need and how the Wider Opportunity will help the applicant increase her realm of experience. Final decisions on fund recipients will be made by the appropriate GSLEC staff members.

After participating in the S2B Destinations, the grant recipient is responsible for providing a brief report to GSNEO on how her participation increased her realm of experience.

Applications may be downloaded by clicking here. Distributable funds are limited. Any questions or concerns regarding the Barbara Parkinson Outdoor Activity Fund or Georgianna Bonds Wider Opportunity Endowment Fund, please contact—Program Services at (216) 481-1313 or (800) 362-0215.

The purpose of Troop Start-Up Money Financial Assistance is to help a brand new troop get started when other means put a financial barrier in the way of a successful start. The amount a troop can request is $50 plus $3 per girl.

1.  Eligibility

1. Troop must be registered with at least 5 girls and 2 adults.
2. Only available once per troop and only during first year (troop must be newly established with a new troop number).
   1. Troop Leader must provide a written request.

2.  Expectations

1. Money should be used for
   1. Troop supplies, badges, books, insignia, checking account start up fees and the like.
2. Money should be repaid to GSNEO, as soon as and if possible.
3. Money Management is a primary lesson to learn in Girl Scouting and should be part of all program planning. Girls participate in planning activities and budgeting money for them.

3.  Process for requesting Troop Start-Up Money

1. Troop Leader completes written request which includes; Troop #, SU number, Leader name, number of girls in troop, amount requested ($50 plus up to $3 per girl is available), and express the financial need.
2. The written request should be in a sealed envelope and mailed to Girl Scouts of North East Ohio - North Region Service Center, 19201 Villaview Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44119 attn: Volunteer Services.
3. Please expect 2 weeks turn around time from the date we receive your request.