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Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Inc

EIN 23-1352309 · Miquon, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 89 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 SCOUTS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, INC. (GSEP) BUILDS GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, AND CHARACTER, WHO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Income
$19.3 million
Spending
$20.7 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 72%
Employees
389
Volunteers
14,023
Highest pay
$373,928, chief executive 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 89 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 25

    24 of 24 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 (12)
  1. $7.6 million spent. OTHER GIRL SCOUTING PROGRAMS: ALL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES ARE DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED AS PART OF A CONSISTENT CORE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON "STEM" (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH), OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, LIFE SKILLS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. FOR FISCAL YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS PLEASE SEE FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D NARRATIVE ON SCHEDULE O.
  2. $5.8 million spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: THE COUNCIL PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS IN BERKS, BUCKS, CARBON, CHESTER, DELAWARE, LEHIGH, MONTGOMERY, NORTHAMPTON AND PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES. MORE THAN 25,100 GIRLS EXPERIENCE GIRL SCOUTING THROUGH SUMMER CAMP, TROOP-BASED, INDIVIDUAL, AND EVENT-BASED MEMBERSHIP, AND A RANGE OF OTHER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. MORE THAN 14,000 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN NUMEROUS CAPACITIES AND FREQUENCY TO SUPPORT THE COUNCIL, AND PROVIDE ONGOING LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAM TRAINING. FOR FISCAL YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PLEASE SEE FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D NARRATIVE ON SCHEDULE O.
  3. $4.4 million spent. CAMP PROGRAMS: THE COUNCIL OPERATES SIX CAMP PROPERTIES (ALL ARE ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION) THAT ENCOMPASS NEARLY 2,000 ACRES. SUMMER RESIDENT AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE, ENCOURAGE SELF-DISCOVERY, INTERACTION WITH OTHERS, EXPLORATION, RESOURCEFUL DECISION MAKING, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ALL IN A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. FOR FISCAL YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS PLEASE SEE FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D NARRATIVE ON SCHEDULE O.
  4. PROGRAM REVENUE FOR ALL GSEP PROGRAMS (SPECIFIC PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS DETAILED BELOW):
  5. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2024-SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 (FY2025): GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, INC. (GSEP), OPERATES AS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CHARTERED BY GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA (GSUSA). GIRL SCOUTS' MISSION IS TO BUILD GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, AND CHARACTER, WHO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE IN NINE PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES: BERKS, BUCKS, CARBON, CHESTER, DELAWARE, LEHIGH, MONTGOMERY, NORTHAMPTON, AND PHILADELPHIA. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 (OCTOBER 1, 2024-SEPTEMBER 30, 2025), GSEP PROVIDED THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (GSLE) TO JUST OVER 25,000 GIRLS, WITH THE HELP OF MORE THAN 14,000 ADULT MEMBERS. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FY25 GIRL SCOUTS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA STABILIZED MEMBERSHIP AND ENDED THE 2025 MEMBERSHIP YEAR AS THE FIFTH LARGEST GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL IN THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO FOCUSED RECRUITMENT EFFORTS AND NEW STRATEGIES. AT YEAR END, GSEP'S MARKET SHARE WAS 5.9% OF THE AVAILABLE GIRL POPULATION, APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS THE YEAR PRIOR. SOME AREAS OF THE COUNCIL EXPERIENCED TANGIBLE GROWTH, NOTABLY PHILADELPHIA, BERKS AND DELAWARE COUNTIES AS WE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS TO JOIN SCHOOL-BASED TROOPS AND ATTEND PROGRAMMING THROUGH CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES, CAMP FOR A DAY AND SUMMER PROGRAM PARTNERS. WHILE MEMBERSHIP WAS STAGNANT, THE GOAL WAS MET. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, GROWTH IN ALL AREAS OF THE COUNCIL IS A CORE FOCUS BY ENSURING AWARENESS AND ACCESS MAKING SURE ALL GIRLS IN GSEP'S NINE-COUNTY FOOTPRINT ARE AWARE OF AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE. BELOW IS A RECAP OF MEMBERSHIP YEAR 2025. STRATEGY AND NEW MARKETS THE GSEP TEAM HAD THREE PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS FOR FY25 RECRUITMENT: (1) BUILD NEW TROOPS, ESPECIALLY IN THE K-3 AGE RANGE, (2) DETERMINE KEY POTENTIAL GROWTH AREAS AND IMPLEMENT HYPER LOCAL RECRUITMENT STRATEGY, AND (3) SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE VISIBILITY TO ENSURE BROAD AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY. IN APRIL 2025, RENEWALS FOR MEMBERSHIP YEAR 2026 KICKED OFF, WITH NATIONAL MARKETING FROM GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA ENCOURAGING MEMBERS TO RENEW FOR THE NEW YEAR.
  6. GSEP ALSO LAUNCHED ITS OWN EARLY RENEWAL CAMPAIGN, FROM APRIL 1 JUNE 30, WITH TIERED INCENTIVES OFFERED TO GIRL SCOUTS TO RENEW THROUGH JUNE. 4,347 GIRLS EARNED A GSEP-BRANDED BEACH TOWEL FOR RENEWING IN THE FIRST WEEK OF RENEWALS. THOSE GIRLS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 3,152 GIRLS RECEIVED THE PATCH INCENTIVE FOR RENEWAL BY THE END OF JUNE. THERE WERE ALSO RAFFLES TO BOOST RENEWALS. AS A RESULT OF THESE AND OTHER SUMMER RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AT THE END OF OCTOBER, THE FIRST MONTH OF THE 2026 MEMBERSHIP YEAR, MORE THAN 75% OF THE GIRL MEMBERSHIP IN TROOP GOAL WAS REACHED. THROUGH 2025, TO CUSTOMIZE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS TO LOCAL NEEDS, THE TEAM ANALYZED COMMUNITIES WITH A LOWER MARKET SHARE AND INCREASED EFFORTS IN THOSE AREAS. IN JANUARY, RESOURCES WERE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY-BASED RECRUITMENT, ENSURING MANY AREAS OF THE COUNCIL SAW GROWTH, INCLUDING THOSE WITH A MORE LIMITED PRESENCE. GSEP'S VISIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY WAS SUPPORTED BY EARNED AND PAID MEDIA EFFORTS. THROUGH PRESS OUTREACH BY GSEP AND COVERAGE GARNERED BY TROOPS IN THEIR COMMUNITY NEWS OUTLETS, THERE WERE MORE THAN 200 PLACEMENTS ACROSS PRINT, ONLINE AND BROADCAST MEDIA, EARNING OVER 1 BILLION IMPRESSIONS. THIS IS A 33% INCREASE IN PLACEMENTS YEAR-OVER-YEAR. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED THE CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES PROGRAM, AS WELL AS ROBUST NEWS COVERAGE OF THE 2025 COOKIE KICKOFF ON JANUARY 16. TAKE THE LEAD AND HIGHEST AWARDS ALSO RECEIVED NEWS COVERAGE. ON SOCIAL MEDIA, GSEP GAINED MORE THAN 1,000 NEW FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS, MORE THAN 800 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS, AND NEARLY 300 FOLLOWERS ON LINKEDIN. PAID ADVERTISING FEATURED A "LIFE READY FOR TODAY, AND TOMORROW" AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS FALL AND WINTER "JOIN" CAMPAIGNS IN ADDITION TO THE PROMOTION OF COOKIES AND SUMMER CAMP. MEMBER AND COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE IN FY25, GSEP MEMBERSHIP FINISHED THE YEAR AT 25,147 GIRLS NARROWLY MEETING ITS GOAL OF 25.123. ADULT AND LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP WAS UP 0.57% TO 14,023. LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP WAS UP 4%, AT 3,822. THESE OUTCOMES MOVED GSEP INTO THE SLOT AS FIFTH LARGEST GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL IN THE NATION, SERVING 5.9% OF THE AVAILABLE GIRL MARKET. - FY25 WAS A YEAR OF RESTRUCTURING, FOCUSING ON BUILDING STRONG POSITION EXPERTISE - PHILADELPHIA TEAM: A HEAD OF PHILADELPHIA PARTNERSHIP AND STRATEGY ROLE WAS ADDED TO DRIVE AN INCREASED PRESENCE IN PHILADELPHIA THROUGH DEEP SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS AND INCREASED RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. - REGIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM: A HEAD OF REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND STRATEGY POSITION WAS ADDED TO BUILD A STRONG RECRUITMENT MACHINE ACROSS OUR EIGHT NON-PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES. - VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TEAM: MANY OF OUR VETERAN MISSION DELIVERY STAFF TRANSITIONED TO THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TEAM TO FOCUS HEAVILY ON REVAMPING AND IMPROVING THE ONBOARDING AND SUPPORT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. - GIRL EXPERIENCE TEAM: THIS TEAM FOCUSED ON DESIGNING AND RUNNING OUR 6 SUMMER CAMPS AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS YEAR-ROUND TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE.
  7. - HIGHEST AWARDS TEAM: THE GIRL LEADERSHIP TEAM WAS EXPANDED AS CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES AND TRADITIONAL HIGHEST AWARDS SUPPORT WAS COMBINED TO ENSURE SYNERGY AND INCREASED PROGRAM QUALITY ACROSS ALL OUR OLDER GIRL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THE FY25 FALL PRODUCT PROGRAM EXCEEDED THE GOAL BY 14%, WITH GIRL SCOUTS SELLING $908,249 WORTH OF NUTS, CANDY, AND MAGAZINES, TUMBLERS, BARK BOXES, AND NEWLY ADDED PERSONALIZED STATIONERY, A NEARLY 16% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR'S GROSS SALES. MORE THAN 3,500 GIRL SCOUTS TOOK PART, AN INCREASE OF 15% OVER THE PRIOR YEAR. THE FY25 COOKIE PROGRAM RAN FROM JANUARY 16 MARCH 9 AND CLOSED WITH $17,658,547 IN GROSS REVENUE. THE PER GIRL AVERAGE (PGA) WAS 244.39, SLIGHTLY BELOW FY24'S NUMBER OF 261.68 BOXES. 73.3% OF REGISTERED GIRL SCOUTS PARTICIPATED, OR 14,393 GIRLS. BY COMPARISON, IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AN AVERAGE OF 79.1% OF REGISTERED GIRL SCOUTS PARTICIPATED. A FEW CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED THIS YEAR INCLUDED: ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES THAT ADJUSTED CONSUMER SPENDING HABITS AND YEAR TWO OF THE ONLINE PLATFORM, DIGITAL COOKIE, WHICH TROOPS AND FAMILIES ARE STILL LEARNING TO USE. GSEP ADJUSTED THE WAY WE ORDER COOKIES FROM THE BAKER, AND MONITORED INVENTORY TRENDS, LEAVING LESS THAN 1% OF PURCHASED INVENTORY LEFT AT THE END OF THE SEASON. THE RETAIL DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY MET ITS REFORECAST GROSS SALES GOAL FOR THE YEAR. TRADITIONAL BRICK AND MORTAR STORES WERE AT 100% OF REFORECAST; ONLINE BUSINESS WITH GSUSA WAS AHEAD BY $16,900. MOBILE BUSINESS FELL SHORT OF GOAL DUE TO LIMITED STAFFING. TRADING POSTS MET THE REFORECAST GOAL AS A WHOLE; IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE REFORECAST REDUCED THIS GOAL SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO PROJECTED CAMP REGISTRATION NUMBERS. RETAIL'S PROFIT MARGIN STAYED CONSISTENT AT 42%. THIS YEAR'S DISCOUNT RATE AS A PERCENTAGE OF SALES WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR (6.4% VS 6.1%.) THE DOLLAR-PER-GIRL RATE FOR THE TOTAL BUSINESS (COUNCIL AND ONLINE) SURPASSED THE GOAL AND REACHED $31/GIRL MEMBER. CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES IN FALL 2024, GSEP LAUNCHED CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES (CAGB), A NINE-MONTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS IN PHILADELPHIA, DESIGNED TO IGNITE PASSION, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH "TAKE ACTION" PROJECTS, PARTICIPANTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOWARD EARNING THE PRESTIGIOUS GIRL SCOUT SILVER OR GOLD AWARDS WHILE GAINING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. FROM SEPTEMBER 2024 THROUGH MAY 2025, GIRLS TOOK PART IN 12 DYNAMIC WORKSHOPS THAT GUIDED THEM THROUGH EXPLORING THEIR INTERESTS, IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND DESIGNING MEANINGFUL, SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS. THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED MENTORSHIP, COACHING, AND PEER SUPPORT TO HELP ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS. DURING ITS FIRST YEAR, THE PROGRAM SAW REMARKABLE ENGAGEMENT AND A MEASURABLE IMPACT. MORE THAN 100 GIRLS REPRESENTING 93 SCHOOLS ACROSS 48 ZIP CODES PARTICIPATED, SUPPORTED BY MORE THAN 50 VOLUNTEERS. 18 CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED THEIR SILVER OR GOLD AWARD AND WERE HONORED AT THE MAY 2025 HIGHEST AWARDS CEREMONY.
  8. IMPACT SURVEYS REFLECTED STRONG SATISFACTION AND ENTHUSIASM AMONG ALL STAKEHOLDERS. EIGHTY-SIX PERCENT OF PARENTS STRONGLY AGREED THAT CAGB WAS THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR THEIR CHILD, WHILE 93 PERCENT OF VOLUNTEERS INDICATED THEY WOULD VOLUNTEER AGAIN OR RECOMMEND THE OPPORTUNITY TO OTHERS. AMONG THE GIRLS THEMSELVES, 79 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD RECOMMEND CAGB TO THEIR FRIENDS. PARTICIPANTS DEMONSTRATED GROWTH ACROSS ALL TARGETED OUTCOMES OF THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, UNDERSCORING THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS IN FOSTERING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. BUILDING ON THE PILOT YEAR'S SUCCESS, GSEP EXPANDED CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES FOR THE 2025-2026 PROGRAM YEAR TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PROGRAM HUBS IN ALLENTOWN AND READING, ALONG WITH A NEW TROOP-LED PILOT IN PHILADELPHIA. THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO PARTICIPANTS, WITH GSEP COVERING ALL COSTS RELATED TO MEMBERSHIP, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, AND PROGRAM SUPPLIES. FUND DEVELOPMENT IN FY25, GSEP RAISED $1,586,775 IN CONTRIBUTED REVENUE (NOT INCLUDING PASS THROUGH DONATIONS OR GIFT-IN-KIND SUPPORT). INCLUDING GIFT-IN-KIND SUPPORT, $2,127,884 WAS RAISED. INDIVIDUAL GIVING SURPASSED THE ORIGINAL BUDGETED GOAL BY $11,188 OR 3%, RAISING $432,446, BUT FELL SHORT OF THE INCREASED REFORECAST GOAL BY 10%. OVERALL, 2,089 DONORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISSION, 331 OF WHOM GAVE $1,000 OR MORE. THERE WERE ALSO 489 NEW DONORS. THE ANNUAL TAKE THE LEAD EVENTS WERE HELD IN MARCH AND APRIL IN PHILADELPHIA, BERKS COUNTY AND THE LEHIGH VALLEY. THESE EVENTS ARE LED BY GIRL SCOUTS, AND EACH HONORED FOUR INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN. FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2025 TAKE THE LEAD EVENTS FELL SHORT OF THE GOAL BY 22% OR $133,065. GSEP HELD ITS 4TH ANNUAL GOLF FOR GIRL SCOUTS EVENTS ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2025, SURPASSING ITS GOAL BY $7,977 OR 10%, RAISING $97,477 IN TOTAL. UNITED WAY EFFORTS SURPASSED THEIR FUNDRAISING GOALS, BRINGING IN $159,072. GSEP ALSO BENEFITED FROM THE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS INSTITUTIONAL FUNDERS, INCLUDING LOCAL AND NATIONAL FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, RAISING MORE THAN $328,760. AN ADDITIONAL $40,492 IN RESTRICTED FUNDS WAS RAISED FOR THE SPECIAL PROJECT INITIATIVE, CALLING ALL GIRL BOSSES. DURING FY25, GSEP SECURED $320,000 IN SUPPORT OF VARIOUS CAMP CAPITAL PROJECTS, THANKS TO GOVERNMENT GRANTS FROM PENNSYLVANIA'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. $125,000 FOR CAMP MOUNTAIN HOUSE RENOVATIONS $125,000 FOR CAMP SHELLY RIDGE ACCESS PROJECT $70,000 FOR VALLEY FORGE REPLACING HVAC UNITS
  9. AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE TIMKEN FOUNDATION ($75,000) WILL GO TOWARD THE INSTALLATION OF A HIGH ADVENTURE COURSE AT CAMP SHELLY RIDGE IN 2026. PROJECTS APPROVED FOR PLANNING IN 2026 AND FUNDING THAT WILL BE APPLIED FOR: $209,000 FOR RENOVATIONS AT CAMP MOSEY WOOD (INCLUDING UPDATE OF WATER AND HEATING SYSTEMS AND REPAVING OF BLACKTOP DRIVEWAY) PROJECT AWARDED FUNDING BUT WAITING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS: $70,000 FOR POOL RENOVATIONS AT CAMP WOOD HAVEN (SUMMER 2026) OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE THIS YEAR, THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TEAM REVAMPED THE SUPPORT AND ONBOARDING APPROACH FOR NEW LEADERS AND NEW TROOPS. SPECIFICALLY, A TROOP LEADER RESOURCE GUIDE WAS CREATED, A COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE FOR TROOP LEADERS TO ENSURE EASY ACCESS TO POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND BEST PRACTICES. OTHER RESOURCES CREATED, BASED ON VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK, INCLUDE A CLEAR KICKOFF CHECK LIST, AND A GOOGLE DRIVE RESOURCE DEPOSITORY. ADDITIONALLY, NEW LEADER TRAINING WAS REVAMPED AND INCLUDED A RETURN TO LIVE WEBINAR AND IN PERSON TRAINING AS OPTIONS. FINALLY, ALONGSIDE SERVICE UNIT VOLUNTEERS, THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS FOR WELCOMING NEW LEADERS WAS STREAMLINED AND SIMPLIFIED, PROVIDING A SINGLE CONTACT FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HAVE GUIDANCE AS THEY KICK OFF THEIR TROOP. FORTY NEW LEADERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST EVER NEW LEADER LAUNCHPAD PILOT. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, LEADERS RECEIVE IN-DEPTH, IN PERSON TRAINING, FOCUSED MENTORSHIP FROM STAFF, AND STREAMLINED ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS. SURVEY DATA WILL BE CAPTURED THROUGHOUT THE PILOT TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT ON LEADER SATISFACTION AND RETENTION AND TROOP HEALTH AND QUALITY, SPECIFICALLY COMPARED TO LEADERS WHO DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT. MORE THAN 1,000 GIRLS FROM PHILADELPHIA, READING AND ALLENTOWN PARTICIPATED IN GSEP'S CAMP FOR A DAY PROGRAM, SPENDING THE DAY ON A GSEP PROPERTY, ENGAGING IN A VARIETY OF TEAM BUILDING AND TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES. THE EXPERIENCE ALLOWS GIRLS TO TRY SOMETHING NEW, CHALLENGE THEMSELVES, STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITY, AND LEARN ABOUT THE JOYS OF GIRL SCOUTING. PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS ARE STARTING TROOPS AFTER THE POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. FROM OCTOBER 20-22, 2024, THE FALL LEADERSHIP WEEKEND EVENT SERVED 170 PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL OVER GSEP FOR A DAY OF LEARNING, NETWORKING, AND FUN. NEW ADDITIONS TO THE PROGRAM INCLUDED A NEW LEADER LEARNING PATH AND PROVIDING CHILDCARE FOR PARTICIPANTS. THE ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS CEREMONY WAS AT CAMP LAUGHING WATERS IN EARLY NOVEMBER. GSEP HONORED 108 VOLUNTEERS AND 34 SERVICE UNITS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO GSEP. THERE WERE 28 NUMERAL GUARD PINS AWARDED, TOTALING 1330 YEARS OF COLLECTIVE SERVICE TO GIRL SCOUTS.
  10. TWELVE SERVICE UNITS RECEIVED THE CEO AWARD, WHICH RECOGNIZES THEIR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE COUNCIL'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF SERVICE, LEARNING, AND GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP YEAR 2024. IN MAY, GSEP CELEBRATED 700 BRONZE AWARD GIRL SCOUTS AND HELD IN-PERSON AWARD CEREMONIES FOR 117 SILVER AWARD GIRL SCOUTS AND 43 GOLD AWARD GIRL SCOUTS. 2025 WAS THE THIRD YEAR FOR GSEP'S PHILLY CAMP, HELD IN TWO SCHOOL PARTNERS IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA. MORE THAN 150 GIRLS PARTICIPATED IN PHILLY CAMP MORE THAN 100 WERE NEW TO GIRL SCOUTING. ENROLLMENT WAS LOWER THAN IN YEARS PAST, LIKELY ALIGNED TO THE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NEW SUMMER PROGRAMMING IMPLEMENTED BY BOTH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA. DUE TO THE DECREASE IN DEMAND, PHILLY CAMP PROGRAMMING WILL NOT OCCUR IN THE SUMMER OF 2026. GSEP'S FOUR RESIDENT CAMPS AND THREE DAY CAMPS SERVED CLOSE TO 3,300 GIRL SCOUTS DURING SUMMER 2025. THERE WERE 1,596 REGISTRATIONS FOR DAY CAMP, AND 2,091 REGISTRATIONS FOR RESIDENT CAMP. CAMPERS IN GRADES K-3 MADE UP 38% OF ALL GSEP CAMP REGISTRATIONS, WHILE CAMPERS IN GRADES 4-5 MADE UP 28%. CADETTES AND OLDER CAMPERS MADE UP AROUND 33% OF CAMP REGISTRATIONS. THE AVERAGE AGE OF ALL CAMPERS WAS 10.6 YEARS; 9 YEARS FOR DAY CAMP AND 11 YEARS FOR RESIDENT CAMP. GIRL SCOUTS BEYOND BARS (GSBB) SERVED 17 GIRLS IN 2025. AN IMPORTANT LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAM AT GSEP FOR GIRLS WHOSE MOTHERS ARE OR WERE INCARCERATED; THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE THE 1990S. THIS YEAR'S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED A WATER PARK EXCURSION AND OVERNIGHT CAMPING AT CAMP SHELLY RIDGE. ADULT CAMPING WEEKEND, ORGANIZED BY GSEP'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, WAS A BIG SUCCESS IN AUGUST 2025, WITH 187 PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING FROM THE GSEP FOOTPRINT AND WELL BEYOND. IN TOTAL, THE EVENT RAISED MORE THAN $31,000, THE MAJORITY FOR OLDER GIRL SCHOLARSHIPS. IN MAY 2025, GSEP HOSTED "GIRLZDAY: OUR WORLD, OUR WAY," A VIBRANT, DAY-LONG CELEBRATION AT THE PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 1500 PARTICIPANTS. THE EVENT FEATURED A HANDS-ON HALL OF EXPERIENCES WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ROLLER SKATING, CRAFTING, AND CAMP GAMES; A WALK-THROUGH EXHIBIT SHOWCASING GIRLS' HIGHEST AWARDS PROJECTS; INSPIRING BREAKOUT SESSIONS AND GUEST SPEAKERS; AND A HIGH-ENERGY FINALE GLOW PARTY FEATURING A LIVE PERFORMANCE BY MADISON REYES, STAR OF THE NETFLIX SHOW "JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS." GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDED BONNIE BARCZYKOWSKI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, GSUSA; CYDNEY HOPE BROWN, 2023 NORTHEAST REGIONAL YOUTH POET LAUREATE AND LIFETIME GIRL SCOUT; YASMINE MUSTAFA, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF ROAR; DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MYESHA MASSEY, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AT THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND OTHERS.
  11. FUNCTIONAL EXCELLENCE IN FY25, THE HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN STRENGTHENING GSEP'S PEOPLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALIGNING STAFF PERFORMANCE WITH ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES. HR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE COUNCIL-WIDE FY24 PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL CYCLE, IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNAL PROMOTIONS, POSITION EVALUATIONS, AND FUTURE RECLASSIFICATIONS. THE COUNCIL'S COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY WAS FINALIZED IN FY25, PROVIDING THE FRAMEWORK FOR COST-OF-LIVING UPDATES AND RECLASSIFICATIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN FY26. HR LED THE DEVELOPMENT AND ROLLOUT OF A FULLY UPDATED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKAPPROVED BY THE HR COMMITTEE AND BOARDMODERNIZING POLICIES IN HYBRID WORK, EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERISM, TECHNOLOGY USE, AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT. THE TEAM MANAGED SEVERAL KEY REORGANIZATIONS AND THE CAREFUL HANDLING OF EMPLOYEE TRANSITIONS RESULTING FROM THE ELIMINATION OF CHILDCARE ACCOMMODATIONS AND RETURN-TO-OFFICE CHANGES. RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING WERE STRENGTHENED THROUGH STREAMLINED PROCESSES AND CLOSER CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION FOR SEASONAL AND CORE STAFF HIRING. FY25 CLOSED WITH A STRONGER OPERATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, WORKFORCE PLANNING, COMPLIANCE, AND EQUITABLE COMPENSATION PRACTICES IN FY26. FOR FY26 GSEP PLANNED FOR 92 TOTAL CORE STAFF MEMBERS, 85 FULL-TIME AND 7 PART-TIME. IN FY25, GSEP'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) TEAM COMPLETED SEVERAL ENHANCEMENTS TO IMPROVE SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTIVITY, INCLUDING THE TRANSITION OF THE MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER (MSP) FROM THRIVE TO DYOPATH. GSEP ALSO AUTOMATED THE WORKFLOW FOR THE TROOP FINANCIAL REPORTING PROCESS, A STEP TOWARD ENHANCING OUR DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESS. AND NETWORK TRAFFIC ANALYZERS (NTAS) WERE INSTALLED AT PROPERTIES, ALLOWING IT TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ISSUES WITH NETWORK PERFORMANCE. THE DATA TEAM ALSO COMPLETED A REFRESH AND REORGANIZATION OF SHAREPOINT, ALLOWING STAFF EASIER ACCESS TO FILES. RELATED TO CYBERSECURITY, GSEP MIGRATED ITS EMAIL SECURITY PLATFORM FROM MIMECAST TO HARMONY. THIS TRANSITION IMPROVES INTEGRATION WITHIN OUR OFFICE365 ENVIRONMENT, PROVIDING NOT ONLY ENHANCED EMAIL SECURITY BUT ALSO EXTENDING PROTECTION TO DOCUMENTS STORED IN ONEDRIVE, SHAREPOINT, AND TEAMS. ADDITIONALLY, HARMONY ENABLES SEAMLESS USE OF BUILT-IN MICROSOFT SECURITY FUNCTIONALITIES WITHIN OUR TENANT. THE IT TEAM HAD TO DEAL WITH AN UNFORTUNATE FACILITY ISSUE. A LEAK IN THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DAMAGED LAPTOPS, TABLETS, DOCKING STATIONS, AND CAMERAS. AFTER THE AREAS AFFECTED DRIED OUT, INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED AND DISCUSSIONS TOOK PLACE TO AVOID ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE. IN FY25, AFTER MANY YEARS OF PLANNING, GSEP RECEIVED APPROVAL TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE RENOVATION OF THE PERSING HOUSE AT CAMP MOUNTAIN HOUSE. WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN LATE 2025, SO THAT SPACES WILL BE READY FOR SUMMER CAMP IN 2026.
  12. 15 CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THEY RANGED FROM NEW EQUIPMENT PURCHASES INCLUDING LAWN MOWERS, MAINTENANCE TRUCK, TENTS, MATTRESSES, AND NEW COTS FOR TENTS. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDE AN ADDED BATHROOM STALL IN THE MEN'S ROOM AT SHELLY RIDGE AND 12 NEW TENT PLATFORMS AT MOSEY WOOD. SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED INSTALLING PANIC BUTTONS AT OUR SERVICE CENTERS AND REPLACING GAS RANGES WITH ELECTRIC RANGES IN THE LODGES AT SHELLY RIDGE AND MOSEY WOOD. THE THREE REMAINING PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR. THEY INCLUDE ROOF REPLACEMENT AT VALLEY FORGE AND HVAC REPAIRS AT SHELLY RIDGE AND VALLEY FORGE.

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 1945.

    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.

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