Girl Scouts of the USA historically has relied on a self-generating funding system. But as it approaches the century mark, a sweeping organizational transition will mean a new focus on fundraising and an enhanced partnership with its local councils around

By David Mckenna

“We’re experiencing a major shift in our organizational culture,” Cloninger says. “The deeper we go into community outreach and serving girls who need us most, the more we’ll have to reach out to the community to fund girls who are most in need.”

Ironically, the organization’s transformation strategy entails re-emphasizing some of the core ideas that led Juliette Gordon Low, an activist in women’s circles, to found the Girl Scouts. “We’ve returned to our roots, with a strong focus on leadership experience,” Cloninger reiterates. “We’re currently developing a persuasive Girl Scout philosophy about leadership.”