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Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines

EIN 41-0877820 · Waite Park, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 97 cents.

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

What it says it does

TO BUILD GIRLS OF COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, AND CHARACTER WHO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 74%
Employees
32
Volunteers
1,751
Highest pay
$151,553, 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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 97 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

    11 of 11 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 (3)
  1. $2.7 million spent. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, GIRL SCOUTS LAKES & PINES PROVIDED IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH BOTH SUMMER CAMPS AND YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITIES. PARTNER PROGRAMS AND TRAVEL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR MEMBERS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND OUR COUNCIL, ACROSS OUR COUNTRY, AND ABROAD. WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE 522 YOUTH AND 246 ADULTS THROUGH VENDOR PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ICE CLIMBING, WOMEN IN LAW, ZOO SNOOZE, DOG SLEDDING, AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE WITH HUNT HILL AUDUBON SANCTUARY. WE PROVIDED TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES TO 37 YOUTH AND ADULTS THIS YEAR AS WE TRAVELED TO COSTA RICA AND TOOK A ROAD TRIP OUT TO COLORADO AND BACK. THIS SUMMER, WE HOSTED BOTH TROOP AND OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMMING TO JUST OVER 1,300 PARTICIPANTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE FACILITATED COUNCIL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS ON THE GO FOR 688 YOUTH AND 155 ADULTS DURING OUR 2025 MEMBERSHIP YEAR. WE CONTINUE TO RUN OUR TWO LARGEST EVENTS, KALEIDOSCOPE AND HOSTED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR WORLD OUR FAMILY, REACHING A TOTAL OF 163 AND 552 YOUTH AND ADULT PARTICIPANTS, RESPECTIVELY. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED MENTORING GIRL SCOUTS THROUGH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM, GIRL SCOUTS IN ACTION, PROVIDING ACTIVITIES TO TROOPS ACROSS THE COUNCIL WITH AND SUPPORTING GIRLS AS THEY WORKED TO EARN THEIR BRONZE, SILVER, AND GOLD AWARDS.
  2. $386,793 spent. COUNCIL SPONSORED CAMP AND EVENT PROGRAMMING FOCUSES ON THE FIVE OUTCOMES OF THE GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING A SENSE OF SELF, POSITIVE VALUES, CHALLENGE SEEKING, COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. IN ADDITION TO THESE OUTCOMES, GIRLS IN OUR PROGRAMS CONNECT WITH THEIR PEERS, DEVELOP CONFLICT-RESOLUTION SKILLS, LEARN HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, AND FEEL EMPOWERED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  3. $263,389 spent. THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE AND FALL PRODUCT PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST GIRL-LED BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRY AND GENERATES IMMEASURABLE BENEFITS FOR GIRLS, THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND THEIR COUNCILS. GIRLS SET GOALS TO SUPPORT THEIR CHOSEN ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR, TO FUND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP PROJECTS, TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP, TO TRAVEL TO DESTINATIONS NEAR AND FAR, AND TO PROVIDE EVENTS FOR GIRLS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. PARTICIPATING IN THE GIRL SCOUT PRODUCT PROGRAMS HELPS GIRLS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS: GOAL SETTING, DECISION MAKING, MONEY MANAGEMENT, PEOPLE SKILLS, AND BUSINESS ETHICS. IN ADDITION TO OUR REGIONAL COOKIE RALLY EVENTS, IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2025 COOKIE SEASON, WE FACILITATED PROGRAMMING TO 636 GIRLS THROUGH EARNED SERVICE UNIT RALLIES. GIRLS, TROOPS, AND OUR COUNCIL RECEIVE AWESOME BENEFITS. THE TROOP RECEIVES MONEY FOR ACTIVITIES, AND GIRLS RECEIVE RECOGNITION PRIZES AND VOUCHERS TO USE AT CAMP, FOR PROGRAM ATTENDANCE, OR IN THE SHOP. THE COUNCIL PROCEEDS HELP TRAIN VOLUNTEERS, MAINTAIN CAMP PROPERTIES, AND KEEP PROGRAM COSTS AFFORDABLE.

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 1965.

    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.