The year 2020 has been rough on most everyone. But the unfortunate
truth is that 2021, and years after, will remain challenging.
Across Greater Iowa, girls have seen schools close, experienced
disrupted routines, the pain of social injustice, and financial
hardship. They’ve been distanced from friends, teachers, and many who
love and care for them. The long-term pause on many social activities
and routines have led to so much change and stress that
girls are having a mental health crisis.
In a recent national survey, girls reported the highest rates of
loneliness on record. In 2019 – months before COVID-19 hit – more than
one in three girls in the U.S. said they felt extremely anxious daily.
Even worse, suicide rates in girls ages 10-14 have increased nearly
13% since 2007.
Connection and community-building are core to Girl Scouting, and
GSGI provides the resources to help girls and families when they
feel alone.
Our Annual Fund provides security and stability for our
organization, in turn providing security and stability for the Girl
Scouts in Greater Iowa. This will never change. As school programming
adapts, and families juggle the changes, your support provide a
healthy outlet for girls to stay connected with their friends and
community. More girls experience life-changing programs in Girl Scouts
when our organization has the resources to provide programming.
Without a secure Annual Fund, we run the risk of losing those
resources, directly impacting the girls.
GSGI is 100% locally funded. A gift to our Annual Fund spreads
across all departments and all council needs. A gift to our Annual
Fund fuels our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and
character. A healthy Annual Fund helps to provide girls with girl-led,
girl-only programming in the core areas of STEM, outdoors, life
skills, and entrepreneurship.
A gift to our Annual Fund is a gift directly to local Girl Scouts.

It’s important to us to support girls and volunteers during these
trying times and eliminate any barriers to participating in Girl
Scouts by showing love. During this membership year, we are
offering free membership for all girls and adult volunteers.
This act of love does not come without a true cost to our
organization. The $25 annual membership fee, normally paid by all new
and returning Girl Scout members, supports the cost of technology,
liability insurance, materials, and research in girl programming.
You can help eliminate the financial barrier for girls across
Iowa to join Girl Scouts. Every $25 you donate to the Show Love
campaign will fund the membership for one local Girl Scout.
Donate to the Show Love campaign using this
link or reach out to our team at philanthropy@gsiowa.org.
