Gifts to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana ensure that every girl in Chicago has the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. Your gifts give girls access to activities like computer and science workshops, Celebrate the Seasons' camp weekends, and our new From Badges to Businesses financial literacy program. Other gifts help a girl travel overseas on a Wider Opportunity or participate in a leadership development weekend. And we have multiple ways of making a gift:

Outright cash contributions (via check or credit card)
Direct contributions, a traditional and important support for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, provide the foundation for services and programs to 15,000 girls and 2200 adult volunteers. Not only do you get the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of girls, you also may be able to claim a charitable tax deduction.

If you'd like to make a Tribute Gift in honor or memory of friends or family members, we'll send an acknowledgement of your contribution to whomever you wish.

You can maximize your contribution through a Corporate Matching Gift. Many businesses offer this benefit to their employees, active and retired, directors or spouses, enabling contributors to double or triple a charitable contribution. To participate, obtain a form from your personnel office and send it with your contribution to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

You also may be eligible for a Volunteer Grant if you volunteer with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and your company has a program to recognize the volunteer efforts of their employees. To find out if your company offers such a program, contact your personnel office.

Stocks & other securities
Gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, treasuries and mutual funds that have increased in value benefit Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and you! Not only do you get a charitable tax deduction, you also bypass the capital gains tax you would pay if you sold them.

Real estate and personal property
Gifts of land and buildings, art or other personal property (which must be approved by the Board of Directors), bring needed funds to GSC and allow you to receive an income tax deduction and avoid tax on appreciated property.

Bequests
A bequest allows individuals of both great wealth and modest means to ensure that Girl Scouting in Chicago will endure for generations of girls to come. Bequests do not reduce your current income and may help you reduce estate taxes. They certainly enhance Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana's long-term stability.

Life insurance
A gift of life insurance is an easy way to support Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Making Girl Scouts of Chicago the beneficiary of an existing policy entitles you to claim an income tax deduction. You may also purchase a new policy and name Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana both owner & beneficiary.

Income-producing gifts
A number of plans allow you to make a gift to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and still receive an income for yourself or your beneficiaries. The most common plans are charitable gift annuities that pay you an agreed upon amount on a regular basis - often more than you are currently receiving in dividends or interest.

Donate a Vehicle
Support Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana by donating your unwanted car, truck, boat, or motorcycle! When you make a donation, your vehicle is auctioned and 70% of the proceeds go to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Click here for more information. Or to donate a vehicle, please call 877-537-5277 toll-free or email donations@charitableautoresources.com.

Reserving an Illinois Girl Scout License Plate
Support your local Girl Scout council by reserving an Illinois Girl Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award license plate. For each plate purchased, $25 goes to your local council.

Take Action!
If you are ready to make a contribution to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, click here to print out a form to mail or fax to us. If you want more information about any of the above please contact Pat Broughton at 312/416-2500 x239 or pbroughton@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

 Go to top of page