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Girl Scouts of Orange County

EIN 95-2023244 · Irvine, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 53 cents.

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

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$10.2 million
Spending
$13.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
15.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 79%
Employees
165
Volunteers
9,780
Highest pay
$286,413, 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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 53 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

    17 of 17 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 (4)
  1. $4.2 million spent. GIRL SCOUTS IS THE NATION'S PREMIERE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS FROM ALL CULTURES, ZIP CODES AND WALKS OF LIFE. THE CHALLENGES GIRLS FACE TODAY ARE GREATER THAN EVER AND THEY AFFECT ALL GIRLS. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT GIRLS ARE BACKING DOWN AND OPTING OUT OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. A RECENT REPORT FROM THE GIRL SCOUT RESEARCH INSTITUTE SHOWED THAT A GIRL'S DESIRE TO LEAD IS STRONGEST WHEN SHE IS EIGHT YEARS OLD, YET DECLINES DRAMATICALLY WHEN SHE IS 16. WITH SCHOOL FUNDING CONTINUING TO DECLINE, GIRL SCOUTING PROVIDES EXPANDED LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS IN AREAS THAT FILL CRITICAL TALENT GAPS LIKE FINANCE, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. ADDITIONALLY THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALE PROGRAM IS THE NATION'S LARGEST BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS.
  2. $3.4 million spent. THE GIRL SCOUTS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES FOR NEARLY 25,000 GIRLS, VOLUNTEERS AND ADULT MEMBERS, INCLUDING REGISTRATION, FINANCE, RECOGNITIONS, STAFFING SUPPORT, RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES, ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONAL AND MARKETING MATERIALS.
  3. $3.3 million spent. THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, GIRL SCOUTS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROVIDES A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, BEGINNING WITH RECRUITMENT AND BACKGROUND SCREENING.THE SYSTEM INCLUDES PREPARATORY AND ONGOING TRAINING, AS WELL AS RESOURCES,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TRAINED STAFF, PROGRAM MATERIALS, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND SAFE PROGRAM FACILITIES FOR GIRL PROGRAM DELIVERY. THIS SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES COACHING, EVALUATING AND RECOGNIZING ACTIVE ADULT VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ORANGE COUNTY'S GIRLS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP LEADERSHIP VALUES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES.
  4. $1.3 million spent. THE GIRL SCOUTS OF ORANGE COUNTY OPERATES A 700 ACRE YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTIAL CAMP AND 5 PROGRAM CENTERS, INCLUDING IRVINE STAFF AND RETAIL SHOP,THROUGH WHICH NEARLY 15,000 GIRLS AND 10,000 VOLUNTEERS AND ADULT MEMBERS CAN BENEFIT FROM GIRL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SKILLS-BUILDING ACTIVITIES THROUGH EVENTS,SERIES, TRAVEL, CAMP AND TROOP EXPERIENCES AND ADULT VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

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 August 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.