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Girl Scouts of Western New York Inc

EIN 16-0743096 · Buffalo, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TOGETHER WITH OUR GIRL SCOUTS, VOLUNTEERS, PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN NEW YORK PROVIDES EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF ADVENTURE, PROMOTE BELONGING AND FRIENDSHIP AND BROADEN WORLDVIEWS.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$8.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 63%
Employees
240
Volunteers
6,243
Highest pay
$159,870, c.f.o.

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 63 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (2)
  1. $4.1 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:TROOPS, AFTERSCHOOL AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS: GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN NEW YORK OFFERS ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMMING IN A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THAT EQUIPS GIRLS TO FLOURISH AND LEAD LASTING, POSITIVE CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR VALUES PROVIDE GIRLS WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY, ADVENTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY. THESE PROGRAMS ENGAGE GIRLS TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, HAVE FUN AND GAIN ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES THROUGH OUR RESEARCH-DRIVEN PROGRAM, ALL WITH THE BACKING OF A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK WHO HELP BUILD THE LIFELONG SKILLS GIRLS NEED TO THRIVE. GIRLS HAVE ACCESS TO: FUN ACTIVITIES, MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES, PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS, TRAVEL OPPORTUNITES AND LIFELONG SISTERHOOD. GIRL SCOUTS HELP GIRLS DEVELOP: SKILLS TO THRIVE TODAY AND TOMORROW; CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM; OUTDOOR, STEM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS; FRIENDSHIPS, CONNECTIONS AND BELONGING; AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. NUMBER OF GIRLS SERVED= 10,816THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF OUR MEMBERS VARIES. GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMMING TARGETED AT UNDERSERVED GIRLS IS A PART OF OUR COUNCIL'S CONTINUING INVESTMENT TO ENSURE THAT ALL GIRLS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GIRL SCOUTING.
  2. $2.2 million spent. CAMPING PROGRAMS: GSWNY MAINTAINS 4 CAMP PROPERTIES WHERE GIRLS LEARN VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS SUCH AS TEAMWORK, INDEPENDENCE, TRYING NEW THINGS, MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND APPRECIATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE NATURE STUDY, CAMPING, EQUESTRIAN TRAINING, WHITEWATER RAFTING, KAYAKING, SAILING, SWIMMING, ARCHERY, HIKING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND ROPES CHALLENGE COURSES. GIRLS EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS THROUGH DAY CAMPS, RESIDENT AND TROOP CAMPS, AND OUTDOOR PROGRAM EVENTS. NUMBER OF GIRLS AND ADULTS SERVED = 4,307.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1960.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.