Girl Scouts of Colorado

What it reported doing in 2024

At girl scouts, the power within her isn't just welcomed, it's unlocked. It's already there and she holds the key. At girl scouts, she sees that her voice matters, that her actions make an impact, and that she is seen and celebrated. When a girl can stop performing and show up proud and fully as herself, her potential turns into her purpose. Girl scouts is the only space designed to grow a girl's power from the inside out; preparing her not just to succeed in something but to thrive in life. (continued on schedule o)every badge or patch she earns; each step she takes outside her comfort zone trying new things and experiencing outdoor adventures; every success and setback she faces while building her entrepreneurial experience or leading a take action project build her confidence, boost her courage, and develop her character. But, she doesn't do it on her own. The adult mentors, inspiring role models, and sense of belonging that girl scouts provides as well as powerful programming make a difference in the lives of girls. Some highlights from 2025: opened a new ropes course at sky high ranch, adding to the high adventure programming at this overnight camp property near woodland park. Also brought horse programming back to sky high ranch. Navigated a grocery workers strike during the girl scout cookie program while supporting girls and volunteers on their way to selling 3.6 million packages of cookies and raising more than $3.5 million in troop proceeds to fund troop activities and service projects. Added a paddle raise to our denver women of distinction event, dramatically increasing the amount of funds raised in the room. Expanded our efforts in school-based programming, including growing the adopt-a-troop paid facilitator model to 8 sites. More than 20 schools are on a waiting list for staff-led programming. Our goal is to maintain a strong presence in schools and continue offering high-quality programming to communities that need us most. Implemented a pay-what-you-can approach for early membership renewals to support families facing financial hardship due to the national dues increase. Created volunteer academies and expos, a new approach to in-person girl scout volunteer trainings. Opened a build-a-bear workshop inside the girl scout dreamlab boutique. Continued efforts to diversify funding and raised $1.7 million from donors, foundations, and partnerships.these are just a few of the successes because the real achievements lie in the leadership growth and accomplishments of the 14,830 youth members and the 6,740 adult volunteers who guide them on their journey.the girl scout program is a girl-led leadership experience where girls discover, connect, and take action through badge-earning, civic engagement, outdoor experiences, and travel. It's a life-long leadership journey that progresses as girls grow. Through the girl scout leadership experience, we know that girls are developing leadership skills through everyday actions big and small, and incorporating our four program pillars (stem, outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship) into everything they do as girl scouts. Participating in girl scouts is proven to help girls thrive in five ways as they: - develop a strong sense of self. - display positive values. - seek challenges and learn from setbacks. - form and maintain healthy relationships. - and identify and solve problems in the community.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 78.1%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $1.69 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 97.6%; rating input score 98; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 5.1%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.84; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.09; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.4%; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings