Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
GIRL SCOUTING BUILDS GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE AND CHARACTER, WHO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
- Income
- $18.9 million
- Spending
- $17.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 37%
- Employees
- 441
- Volunteers
- 4,500
- Highest pay
- $211,039, chief advancement officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $3.6 million spent. OUTDOOR AND CAMP PROGRAMMING GIRL SCOUT CAMPS AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPERS TO DISCOVER, CONNECT, AND TAKE-ACTION IN WAYS THAT BUILD THEIR COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, AND CHARACTER. GSEMA CAMPS OFFER CAMPERS UNIQUE AND ADVENTUROUS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE OUTDOORS, INCLUDING ARCHERY, ROCK CLIMBING, ROPES COURSES, SWIMMING, SURVIVAL CAMPING, AND MORE! OUR CAMP PROPERTIES HOST SUMMER DAY CAMP AND OVERNIGHT CAMP, YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR PROGRAMS, AND TROOP, AND GROUP CAMPING. GIRL SCOUT CAMP IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR CAMPERS TO EXPLORE THEIR INTERESTS, GAIN NEW EXPERIENCES, AND GROW INTO CONFIDENT LEADERS. PLUS, THEY'LL HAVE A BLAST AND MAKE AMAZING NEW FRIENDS! EVERY CAMP SESSION IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE; CAMPERS TAKE THE LEAD AND ENJOY THEIR DREAM CAMP EXPERIENCE WITH SUPPORT FROM PROFESSIONAL TRAINED STAFF. AT GSEMA, OUR OUTDOOR AND CAMP PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OUTDOOR FUN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER BY OFFERING FOUR-DAY CAMP OPPORTUNITIES AT CEDAR HILL, MAUDE EATON, RICE MOODY AND WIND-IN-THE-PINES AND THREE OVERNIGHT CAMPS WITH UNIQUE FEATURES AT FAVORITE (SAILING), RUNELS (BACK PACKING TRIPS), AND WIND-IN-THE-PINES (HIGH ADVENTURE ELEMENTS). ALL CAMPS OFFER TRADITIONAL CAMP EXPERIENCES SUCH AS OPENING CEREMONIES, OUTDOOR COOKING, CAMPFIRE SING-ALONGS, NATURE ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS.THROUGHOUT THE TROOP YEAR, VOLUNTEERS, FAMILIES AND GIRL SCOUTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES THAT ARE INTENTIONALLY PROGRESSIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE. MEMBERS MIGHT START OUT AT A DAY PROGRAM SUCH AS THE OUTDOOR FALL FESTIVAL (SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNGER GIRL SCOUTS). AS GIRL SCOUTS AND VOLUNTEERS EXPLORE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, THEY MAY ATTEND AN OVERNIGHT PROGRAM LIKE GAL'S NIGHT OUT OR TROOP CAMPING. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER OUR MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN NEW SKILLS, CHALLENGE BY CHOICE, AND DEVELOP TEAMWORK AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, ARCHERY, BOATING, HIKING, LOW AND HIGH ROPES CHALLENGE COURSES OR CLIMBING WALLS.LAST YEAR WE PROVIDED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR 5,242 PARTICIPANTS WHO TOOK PART IN OUR SUMMER CAMPS AND 2,820 PARTICIPANTS WHO TOOK PART IN OUR YEAR-ROUND OUTDOOR PROGRAMS AND TROOP CAMPING.
- $7.8 million spent. GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMMINGGIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (GSEMA) SUPPORTS GIRLS' ADVANCEMENT IN LEADERSHIP BY PROVIDING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS STEM FESTIVAL AND CHALLENGE WHICH PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF AGE APPROPRIATE STEM ACTIVITIES TO SPARK INTEREST AND OFFER CONNECTIONS FOR DEEPER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, OR THE CAREER ACADEMY, WHICH IS A WEEK-LONG PROGRAM DURING WHICH GIRL SCOUTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT DIFFERENT BUSINESSES AND TEST OUT POTENTIAL FUTURE CAREERS.GIRLS IN 4TH TO 12TH GRADE CAN EXERCISE THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO CREATE CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BY EARNING HIGHEST AWARDS: BRONZE (JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS), SILVER (CADETTE GIRL SCOUTS), AND GOLD (SENIOR AND AMBASSADOR GIRL SCOUTS). ALL THREE AWARDS GIVE GIRLS THE CHANCE TO AFFECT CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY WHILE GAINING ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS. GIRLS LEARN TO FIND AND USE THEIR VOICE TO SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. COUNCIL AND PARTNER PROGRAMS FOCUS ON DEVELOPING LIFE SKILLS IN THE AREAS OF STEM, ART AND CULTURE, COOKING, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PERSONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS PUBLIC SPEAKING. OFTEN, GIRLS, VOLUNTEERS AND FAMILIES ARE LOOKING FOR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE OF THEIR TROOP MEETING TO COMPLETE GIRL SCOUT BADGES AND JOURNEYS.
- $981,984 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS RECOGNIZES THAT IN MANY MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES, GIRLS ARE UNDERSERVED IN THE FOUR KEY AREAS OF THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: STEM, OUTDOORS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND LIFE SKILLS. GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMS CAN OFFER A SAFE, SINGLE-GENDER ENVIRONMENT TO DEVELOP THESE IMPORTANT AREAS THROUGH ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GIRL SCOUT-LED, COOPERATIVE, AND HANDS-ON. SUPPORTED BY CARING ADULT STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, GIRL SCOUTS DISCOVER THEMSELVES AND THEIR VALUES, TRY NEW THINGS, TAKE HEALTHY RISKS, CONNECT WITH OTHERS TO CREATE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND TAKE ACTION IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GSEMA IS COMMITTED TO INCREASING ACCESS TO GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMMING IN COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE THE MOST IN NEED.ACCORDING TO GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA'S (GSUSA'S) 2017 STATE OF GIRLS REPORT, 16% OF GIRLS IN MASSACHUSETTS LIVE IN POVERTY, 33% OF MASSACHUSETTS GIRLS ARE BEING RAISED IN SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, 26% OF GIRLS IN MASSACHUSETTS COME FROM IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, AND GIRLS FROM FAMILIES WITH LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE OF BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC/LATINA DESCENT. THROUGHOUT OUR COUNCIL FOOTPRINT OF 178 COMMUNITIES, GSEMA HAS IDENTIFIED 13 TARGET COMMUNITIES THAT DEMONSTRATE THE MOST NEED: BOSTON, BRADFORD, CAMBRIDGE, CHELSEA, EVERETT, HAVERHILL, LAWRENCE, LYNN, MALDEN, METHUEN, REVERE, SAUGUS, AND SOMERVILLE.GSEMA PROVIDES GIRL SCOUTS IN GRADES K-12 IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES A FOUNDATIONAL GIRL SCOUT EXPERIENCE THROUGH TARGETED COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND HOUSING AUTHORITIES. GSEMA ALSO OFFERS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE GROWTH OF NEW TROOPS, AND DELIVER THE FULL GIRL SCOUT EXPERIENCE PRIMARILY THROUGH VOLUNTEER LED GIRL SCOUT PROGRAMMING. OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM IDENTIFIES BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED ASSISTANCE, AND CREATES COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS TO BRING THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE INTRODUCED TO GIRL SCOUTS.ALL GSEMA CURRICULA FOCUSES ON THE FOUR AREAS THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION OF A GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: STEM, OUTDOORS, LIFE SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (INCLUDES FINANCIAL LITERACY). CURRICULA IS AGE-APPROPRIATE, UTILIZES GSUSA NATIONAL PROGRAM PORTFOLIO, AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE, IS GIRL SCOUT-LED TO FOSTER SKILLS SUCH AS COOPERATION, COMMUNICATION, STRONG WORK ETHIC, ETC. IN ADDITION TO THE VARIETY OF FUN AND CHALLENGING ACTIVITIES GIRL SCOUTS WILL EXPERIENCE IN THE AREAS OF STEM, OUTDOORS, LIFE SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, GIRL SCOUTS WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND GSEMA SIGNATURE EVENTS SUCH AS THE ANNUAL STEM CONFERENCE; SPEND THE DAY AT ONE OF GSEMA'S CAMPS DURING OUR FAMILY DAY AT CAMP; PARTICIPATE IN AN OVERNIGHT CAMP EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER GIRL SCOUTS; PLAN AND CARRY OUT SERVICE PROJECTS TO BETTER THEIR COMMUNITY AND INCLUDE GIRL SCOUT TRADITIONS IN THEIR TROOPS SUCH AS CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATING WORLD THINKING DAY. GSEMA AIMS TO ADDRESS AND MINIMIZE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATING IN GIRL SCOUTS TO FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS IN THE TARGET COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING: -ASSISTANCE WITH MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM COST AS NEEDED -ACCESS TO UNIFORMS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF NEEDED -A SAFE, FAMILIAR, AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY LOCATION-BACKGROUND-CHECKED AND TRAINED STAFF AND/OR VOLUNTEERS -ACCESS TO SPECIAL STEM AND LEADERSHIP EVENTS, AND OUTDOOR PROGRAMS AT GIRL SCOUT PROPERTIES WITH TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE -OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT COLLEGE AND CAREER OPTIONS, FROM FEMALE MENTORS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND PROFESSIONAL FEMALES IN THEIR CHOSEN CAREERS, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT ADDRESS THE GENDER GAP AND STEREOTYPES -OPTIONS TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID TO OTHER GIRL SCOUT EXPERIENCES SUCH SUMMER CAMP AND TRAVEL -FAMILY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES -TRANSLATED COMMUNICATIONS AND MATERIALS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.