It takes $500 to give a girl the entire Girl Scout advantage for a full year. Council Costs, alone, are $210 per girl. Then there are the sashes, camp fees, handbooks and programs that girls need to have a sense of belonging.

Donations provide Girl Scouting program, support and training for leaders, camps, facilities and materials that will help each girl set her own goals and achieve her dreams.

Look at what your support can do for the confidence, self-esteem and growth of these girls... the future of our community!

* Provides the best training, material and curriculum development for leaders and other adult volunteers to ensure the needs of each girl are met.

* Allows communication with our Girl Scout family and friends and the broader community through the Ripples and Leaders Link newsletters, our annual report, media relations and the Internet.

* Supports membership development including recruitment of volunteers and girls, service unit expenses, volunteer and staff support for two counties, and financial assistance to girls.

* Provides for reaching out to under-served populations through our various outreach programs to ensure Girl Scouting is available to a wider community of girls.

* Supports the development of Council-sponsored programs including summer camp.

WAYS TO HELP

Annual Giving
We annually send letters to existing donors, past donors and Family Partnership donors, encouraging donations. Please consider a once-a-year donation to GSMWC. Please call the Fund Development Department for more information.

Tributes and Memorials
In these times, it is more important than ever to let people who touch our lives know how treasured they are. Take a moment and honor someone special. You can truly give a gift from the heart.

Is there a special Girl Scout volunteer that goes above and beyond the call of duty? Do you have a friend or family member that has done something special for you? Or perhaps you just appreciate the tireless energy with which she/he makes an important difference in your life? Whatever the reason, we hope you’ll recognize that special someone by making a donation in her/his honor to Girl Scouts-Michigan Waterways Council.

Tribute gifts are very meaningful ways to let others know you care and are thinking of them. These contributions are tax-deductible and help our organization maintain affordable services for our girls. We’ll send a letter acknowledging your gift to the family or recognized individual and publish your message in future editions of our newsletters. You may contact our office to request Tribute Gift Envelopes for special events in your area or for a memorial service.

Family Partnership
Family Partnership is an opportunity for families and friends of Girl Scouts to make a financial contribution directly benefiting girls. Your contribution – of any amount -- assures that the distinct advantages of Girl Scouting will be available for your daughter.

Planned Giving
We offer donors the opportunity to provide future dollars to Girl Scouts through:

* life insurance policies
* bequests
* pooled income fund
* charitable remainder trust
* charitable lead trust

Women of Distinction
Our single largest fund raiser annually honors several community women who have been nominated by her peers. You can participate by attending the gala event, donating auction items, or underwriting an ad in the program. Watch this site for information about the 2008 event..

Charity Motors

Your donation of a used car, in any condition, will net a cash donation to Girl Scouts- Michigan Waterways Council and a tax deducation for you. Contact the Girl Scout Center for details.

Ink Cartridges
We also collect empty ink cartridges from printers, for which we get a rebate. Just drop them off at the Girl Scout Center, or give us a call and we will provide you with postage-paid envelopes.