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

In other words, cookie production still is going strong, and the Girl Scouts has worked with bakers to remove trans fats from the product. But with all the changes in the pipeline and a new focus on fundraising, will the Scouts scuttle the cookies?

Cloninger laughs at the question. “You want to see strong cookie sales,” she says. “It’s such a key component of our Girl Scout leadership-development experience and is part of the funding infrastructure for councils. We want to see contributed income grow as a percent of the revenue we generate, because we’re really creating a critical need for girls across the country.