Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes

What Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes does

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local council chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, headquartered at 4693 N. Lynndale Dr. in Appleton, Wisconsin. The council delivers youth development programming to girls in grades K-12 across 58 counties in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, structured around six age-tiered levels (Daisy K-1, Brownie 2-3, Junior 4-5, Cadette 6-8, Senior 9-10, Ambassador 11-12). Core programming includes troop-based weekly or bi-weekly meetings led by adult volunteers, a national research-based Girl Scout Leadership Experience curriculum covering STEM, outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills, badge and journey progression, three-tiered Highest Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold), and individually registered memberships (Juliettes) for girls without troop access. The council operates two residential camp properties — Camp Birch Trails and Camp Nesbit — and runs a progressive travel program spanning local to international experiences.

The council's revenue model is multi-stream and typical of a Girl Scout council: annual membership dues ($45 girl + $5 council fee; $30 adult), extended-year memberships through September 2027, a one-time $400 lifetime membership ($200 reduced rate for alums under 30 or 10+ year volunteers), the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program (one of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial programs in the U.S.), a Fall Product Program (nuts, chocolates, magazines), camp fees, and — critically — individual, corporate, and foundation donations. The council explicitly states it receives no government funding and relies on donor support, with a 4-star Charity Navigator rating signaling financial-transparency standards. The go-to-market motion combines direct-to-consumer family enrollment through the myGS portal and community events with a volunteer-led, community-based growth model where adult volunteers form and run troops via the Volunteer Collective platform. Distribution is overwhelmingly volunteer-driven: ~22 named corporate and foundation donors (Capital Credit Union, Walmart.org, Procter & Gamble, Schneider National Foundation, ThedaCare, Cleveland Cliffs, Xcel Energy, Kwik Trip, Kohl's, 3M, Kimberly-Clark, Green Bay Packers Foundation, Costco, Associated Bank, Thrivent, and others) underwrite programming alongside individual giving and the Juliette Gordon Low Society planned-giving program.

Name

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes

Legal name

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes

Website

https://gsnwgl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit council serving girls in grades K-12 across 58 counties in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula through troop-based leadership programs, summer camps, badges, cookie sales, and Highest Awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Leadership Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Child and Youth Services (62411), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMALAA

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAMALAC

STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYEDAMALAO

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Girl scouting programs
• Summer camp experiences
• Cookie fundraising program
• Volunteer-led troop activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from girl and adult members. Girl Scout membership is $45 for girls ($50 with council fee), $30 for adults. Extended year memberships available for $91 for girls ($96 with council fee) and $42 for adults through September 2027.
2. Cookie Program: Girl Scout Cookie Program generates revenue for troops and council through annual cookie sales. Girls learn entrepreneurial skills while participating in one of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial programs.
3. Fall Product Program: Council-sponsored fall product sales program including nuts, chocolates, and other items. Generates revenue for participating troops.
4. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, and planned giving through Juliette Gordon Low Society. The council emphasizes that it receives no government funding and relies on donor support.
5. Lifetime Membership: One-time lifetime membership purchase for $400, with $200 pricing for alums under 30 or volunteers with 10+ years of service. Portion of fee helps fund memberships for girls whose families cannot afford participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes delivers a year-round youth development membership program for girls in grades K-12 through volunteer-led local troops, the annual Cookie Program and Fall Product Program (nuts, chocolates, magazines), overnight and day summer camps at Camp Birch Trails and Camp Nesbit, a progressive badge and journey curriculum covering STEM, outdoors, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and a three-tiered Highest Awards program (Bronze, Silver, Gold). The council also operates financial assistance, scholarships, lifetime memberships, planned giving, and corporate community partnerships that sustain program access and operations.

Product overview

Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes operates a portfolio of interconnected youth development programs organized around membership, skill-building, product sales, outdoor experiences, and recognition. The core offering is the Girl Scout Membership program, which provides girls in grades K-12 access to troop activities, badges, journeys, and highest awards. Supporting programs include Summer Camp (Camp Birch Trails and Camp Nesbit), the Cookie Program, Fall Product Program, Travel Program, and Scholarships. New members receive resources like the Girl Scout Experience Box and Get Ready with Girl Scouts program. The Juliette program serves individually registered members. Adults can participate as lifetime members, volunteers, or donors through planned giving and community partnership programs. Financial Assistance ensures access regardless of economic circumstances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Girl Scout Membership Annual membership program for girls in grades K-12 and adult volunteers providing access to troop activities, badges, journeys, highest awards, council events, and travel opportunities. Current membership runs October 1 through September 30.
• Cookie Program Annual Girl Scout Cookie sales program teaching entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business skills. Includes online and in-person sales, product tracking, and proceeds supporting troop activities and council operations.
• Fall Product Program Council-sponsored fall product sales program including nuts, chocolates, and magazines, providing a second major troop fundraiser alongside the Cookie Program.
• Summer Camp Programs Overnight and day camp experiences at Camp Birch Trails (Appleton) and Camp Nesbit for girls Pre-K through grade 12, including themed sessions, wilderness trips, and outdoor adventure programs.
• Badges, Journeys, and Awards Skill-building program of badges across STEM, outdoors, entrepreneurship, life skills, creative arts, and community service, with multi-session journey explorations and achievement awards.
• Highest Awards (Gold, Silver, Bronze) Three-tiered highest award program: Bronze Award for Juniors, Silver Award for Cadettes, and Gold Award for Seniors and Ambassadors. Each requires completion of prerequisite leadership awards/journeys plus a community Take Action project.
• Girl Scout Travel Program Progressive travel opportunities for Girl Scouts including local field trips, regional overnight experiences, and extended national and international travel for older members.
• Individually Registered Members (Juliettes) Program for girls who want to participate without joining a troop. Juliettes earn badges and attend events independently, accessing all Girl Scout programming on their own schedule and interests.
• Lifetime Membership One-time $400 lifetime membership fee for ongoing association with Girl Scouts; $200 rate for alums under 30 or volunteers with 10+ years of service. Portion of fee subsidizes memberships for girls whose families cannot afford participation.
• Financial Assistance Need-based financial aid covering membership dues, uniforms, council activities, and camp fees. Council awards over $160,000 annually and never turns away members for inability to pay.
• Scholarships Financial awards for Girl Scout members supporting educational pursuits, camp attendance, travel programs, and other Girl Scout activities.
• Volunteer Programs Multiple volunteer pathways including Troop Leader/Assistant, Troop Helper, Troop Treasurer, Cookie Program Volunteer, Fall Product Volunteer, Event Support, Administrative Support, Property Support, Translator/Bilingual Advocate, Board Member, and Service Area Delegates.
• Community Partnership Program Partner program for businesses and organizations to engage with Girl Scouts through Field Trip and Travel Partner opportunities, Event Partner collaborations, and community volunteer engagement.
• Planned Giving / Juliette Gordon Low Society Estate planning program allowing members to name Girl Scouts as beneficiary of wills, retirement plans, charitable gift annuities, living trusts, donor-advised funds, life insurance policies, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, or real estate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of girl members love being a part of Girl Scouts (2024 Girl Scout Voices Count survey)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Capital Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCapital Credit Union partnered with GSNWGL as a sponsor for the Women of Influence in the New North Region event, supporting the Sponsor a Lifetime of Leadership initiative to help girls prepare for leadership. Their sponsorship supports financial assistance programs for girls.
• Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Smithsonian's National Zoo to host interactive online experiences like 'Let's Go Outside!' for new Girl Scout members joining between April and June. Zoologists host behind-the-scenes animal adventures.
• National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Award Girl Scout Alexis Brazil partnered with NAMI to create educational sessions on mental health awareness and suicide prevention for student leaders and high school students.
• American Legion Post 10minorOthersCentral Region donor and community partner supporting Girl Scouts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Girls Inc. National nonprofit inspiring girls with research-based programming in leadership, STEM, and life skills. Directly comparable in girl-focused mission, badge/curriculum-style programming, and affiliate-network delivery model.
• Camp Fire: National co-ed youth development organization offering similar troop-style programming, summer camps, and badge/award pathways. Comparable as a chartered council-based nonprofit delivering youth enrichment across multiple U.S. regions.
• Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland: Neighboring Wisconsin Girl Scout council with overlapping territory and identical programming, badge, cookie, and camp framework. The most direct operating peer, sharing the GSUSA charter model, revenue streams, and member lifecycle.
• Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America): The historic counterpart youth membership organization with parallel troop structure, badge/award progression, and camp properties. Directly comparable as a chartered youth-development organization reliant on volunteers, membership fees, and product fundraising (popcorn) in overlapping rural American markets.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development network with comparable mission, clubhouse model, and reliance on donations and corporate partnerships. Overlaps with GSNWGL in youth development outcomes and fundraising approach, though delivered through facility-based rather than troop-based programming.
• American Camp Association (Accredited Camps): Accrediting body and umbrella for the broader U.S. resident camp industry. Comparable to GSNWGL's Camp Birch Trails and Camp Nesbit operations in programmatic standards, seasonal delivery, and youth outdoor programming.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit with a similar affiliate-network delivery model and donor-dependent operating model. Comparable in mission (youth outcomes), nonprofit governance structure, and reliance on volunteer recruitment.
• YMCA of the USA: Large national youth and family services nonprofit operating camp, childcare, and youth development programs. Comparable in camp-property operations, youth programming breadth, and mixed membership/donation/direct-pay revenue model.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): The largest U.S. youth development organization, delivered through land-grant university extension offices. Comparable as a youth membership/club model with STEM, outdoors, and leadership curricula reaching a similar rural K-12 demographic.

Regional players

• Police Athletic League (National PAL): Network of youth-serving organizations offering sports, recreation, and enrichment programs primarily to underserved youth. Comparable in youth-development mission and club/membership delivery model, with overlap in urban and underserved-population programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gsnwgl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/gsnwgl
• Facebookfacebook.com/gsnwgl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/girl-scouts-of-the-northwestern-great-lakes-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/gsnwgl
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gsnwgl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes