Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana

Name

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana

Legal name

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Website

https://girlscoutsgcnwi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Camping Services

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAGAOAA

Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites)

Travel & Hospitality/Lodging & Accommodation/Camping & Glamping Facilities

SECONDARYEDAMALAA

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

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

SECONDARYMPAKAJAA

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Camps, Academies & Training Centers

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Girl leadership training
• Summer camp programs
• Membership-based programs
• Community youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for Girl Scout youth members (Kindergarten through 12th grade) and adult volunteers. Membership provides access to programs, events, camps, and Girl Scout resources.
2. Cookie and Product Sales: Annual Girl Scout Cookie Program generates revenue through product sales by girl members. Also includes Fall Product Program. The council supports cookie distribution through cookie cupboards and booth sales.
3. Retail Merchandise Sales: Online and physical retail shop selling Girl Scout merchandise including uniforms, badges, apparel, accessories, camp gear, gifts, and council-specific items. Operates multiple shop locations and an e-commerce platform.
4. Camp and Program Fees: Fees for summer camp programs (day camp and overnight camp), year-round outdoor programs, and special programs. Financial assistance is available based on need.
5. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Receives grants such as Healing Illinois Grant from Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with Field Foundation of Illinois.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is a 501(c)(3) non-profit local council that delivers girl-only youth development programming from kindergarten through 12th grade, including age-graded troop activities, the annual Cookie Program, the Fall Product Program, Highest Awards (Bronze/Silver/Gold), and day and overnight summer camps at four camp properties. Membership is sold via annual dues, and the council also operates an online and physical retail shop selling uniforms, badges, and Girl Scout merchandise; charitable donations and grants support program access for families needing financial assistance.

Product overview

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana operates as a regional council of Girl Scouts of the USA, offering a portfolio of youth development programs through troop-based activities, residential and day camps, and retail operations. The council's core offerings include the Girl Scout Cookie Program (entrepreneurial skill-building), Summer Camp Programs at four camp properties, Troop Year Planner resources, Highest Awards recognition, and an online Girl Scout Shop. The organization also runs community programs like 'Where Belonging Grows' focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Programs are structured by grade level (Daisy through Ambassador) serving girls from kindergarten through 12th grade across 245 communities in 10 counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Girl Scout Cookie Program Annual cookie sales program that teaches Girl Scouts entrepreneurial and life skills, featuring multiple cookie flavors, digital and mobile ordering, booth sales, and cookie cupboard distribution. Open to registered Girl Scout members.
• Summer Camp Programs Day camp and overnight camp experiences at four council properties (Camp Butternut Springs in Valparaiso, IN; Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, WI; Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge, IL; and Camp Palos in IL) offering swimming, archery, hiking, backcountry trips, sailing, high ropes courses, ziplines, and Counselor-in-Training leadership programs for registered Girl Scouts.
• Girl Scout Shop (Online Store) E-commerce storefront selling Girl Scout merchandise including uniforms, badges, starter kits, fun patches, camp gear, apparel, accessories, gifts, and council-specific items, organized by girl grade level. Offers shipping and local pickup, with multiple payment options.
• Highest Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) Prestigious recognition awards for Girl Scouts at three levels — Bronze Award (elementary), Silver Award (middle school), and Gold Award (high school) — each requiring sustained community service Take Action projects.
• Get Ready with Girl Scouts Program Early engagement program for girls entering kindergarten or first grade that provides activity books delivered to new members who sign up by July 31, supporting a smooth transition into Daisy-level Girl Scouting.
• Where Belonging Grows (Social Inclusion Program) Series of social inclusion experiences that bring people together, deepen understanding, and strengthen a culture of inclusion through museum visits, cultural activities, yoga, movement, and leadership development, supported by the Healing Illinois Grant.
• Fall Product Program Annual fall product sale program that complements the cookie program, teaching Girl Scouts goal-setting, decision-making, and money management skills through magazine and nut/treat product sales.
• Annual Girl Scout Membership Recurring annual membership for Girl Scout youth members (Kindergarten through 12th grade) and adult volunteers, providing access to programs, events, camps, and Girl Scout resources across the council footprint.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 112 years of serving girls and building leaders

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Heritage Museum of Asian ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for Social Inclusion - Where Belonging Grows initiative. The museum is the only one in the Midwest exclusively dedicated to exhibiting Asian art, founded in 2014. Hosts field trips, free neighborhood nights, hands-on workshops, and special events.
• The DuSable Black History Museum and Education CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's oldest independent Black history museum and Smithsonian Institution affiliate, founded in 1961. Dedicated to collection, documentation, preservation, study and dissemination of African American history, art and culture.
• Will County Historical SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical society dedicated to connecting people and organizations to the rich history of Will County, Illinois. In 2019, helped secure Illinois and Michigan Canal designation as Underground Railroad site with National Park Service.
• Joliet Area Historical MuseumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum promoting awareness, understanding, and preservation of Joliet area's diverse history. Opened in fall 2002 with main exhibition gallery introducing stories of the Joliet area and its people.
• Lombard Historical SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety cultivating appreciation and comprehension of Lombard's rich history through interactive exhibitions, educational programming, and collection interpretation. Committed to preservation, interpretation, and celebration of Lombard's past.
• Urban PilónsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary movement honoring and preserving cooking traditions from Puerto Rico, Caribbean, and Latin America using natural, healthy ingredients. Led by chef and musician Roberto Pérez, co-founder of acclaimed Afro-Puerto Rican group Bomba con Buya.
• Zora's PlacesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBookstore mission cultivating vibrant space centering Black women and femmes through literature, community, and wellness. Founded by award-winning journalist and communications executive L'Oreal Thompson Payton to amplify underrepresented voices.
• Center for Childhood ResiliencesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResource partner providing training and resources for troop leaders and volunteers on creating safe spaces and supporting girls' mental health and emotional well-being.
• KIT - Kids Included TogethersupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization providing training, consultations, policy and standards development, and coaching for including children with disabilities and complex needs. Offers free resources for making Girl Scouting accessible to all.
• Homewood Science CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerShared space partner for satellite Gathering Place location serving South Cook County communities. Space available to Girl Scouts Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m. with scheduled programming monthly on weekends.
• Bunk1supportingTechnology or IntegrationCommunication platform used to help families stay connected with campers during summer camp. Families can view photos and send Bunk Notes that are printed and delivered to campers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 4-H (National 4-H Council): U.S. youth development organization delivered through Cooperative Extension offices, offering STEM, civic engagement, outdoor education, and camp programs. Targets a similar youth demographic and competes for school partnerships and volunteer networks in the same geography.
• Camp Fire: A national youth development organization offering inclusive, co-ed programming similar in structure to Girl Scouts, including camp experiences, badges, and community service. Operates as a comparable nonprofit with local councils and camp properties.
• Boy Scouts of America / Scouts BSA: The closest direct peer in the U.S. scouting/youth development space, offering badge-based programming, camp properties, and membership models for youth. Competes for the same family time, volunteer pool, and charitable dollars across the Chicago and Northwest Indiana region.

Broad incumbents

• Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA): The national umbrella organization for all 100+ local Girl Scout councils including GSGCNWI. Holds the Congressional Charter and trademark rights; GSGCNWI operates as a chartered local council under its governance and brand standards.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Regional affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America providing after-school programs, summer camps, and youth development services in Chicago. Competes for the same volunteer and donor base, plus overlapping parent demand for safe, structured youth activities.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: A large regional nonprofit offering youth programs, summer camps, swim lessons, and childcare across the same Chicago and Northwest Indiana footprint. Competes directly with Girl Scout camps and troop experiences for family enrollment and seasonal program dollars.

Regional players

• Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast: Neighboring Girl Scout council serving southeast Wisconsin, including portions of the greater Chicago-metro area. Operates a comparable camp property (Camp Pottawatomie) and serves overlapping geographies, making it a regional peer for council scale and camp operations benchmarking.
• Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois: Adjacent Illinois-based Girl Scout council covering northern and western portions of the state. Comparable in scale, structure, and programming portfolio; useful peer for benchmarking operational efficiency and membership trends across Illinois.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/girlscoutsgcnwi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVosgTX4ZqYGWz0mFiEmPyg
• Facebookfacebook.com/GirlScoutsGCNWI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/girlscoutsgcnwi
• Instagraminstagram.com/girlscoutsgcnwi
• Pinterestpinterest.com/girlscoutsgcnwi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana