Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: Volunteering, Donating, and What the Council Runs

✍️ LargestCharities Editorial Team | 📅 Last updated: July 2026

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is one of the larger Girl Scout councils in the country, covering Chicago, suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties, plus northwest Indiana. Adult volunteers are its scarcest resource, especially on Chicago's South and West Sides. Here is what the council runs, how to volunteer, and how to support it beyond buying cookies.

TypeRegional council of Girl Scouts of the USA
Parent organizationGirl Scouts of the USA
Service areaChicago metro (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will Counties) and northwest Indiana
Websitegirlscouts-gcnwi.org
Donate → Volunteer

Programming that runs all year, not just cookie season

The council serves girls from kindergarten through 12th grade with STEM workshops, outdoor experiences, financial literacy, community service projects, and leadership development. Cookie sales are the visible part; the year-round programming is the point of the organization.

Priority goes to underserved Chicago neighborhoods where after-school options are thin. A troop can be the only structured, low-cost activity available to a girl in parts of the city, which is why the council keeps expanding where the gaps are largest.

Volunteering: troop leaders wanted, no sash required

Adult volunteers run the troops, staff the events, and keep the council functioning. Demand is highest on Chicago's South and West Sides, where the council is actively expanding and new troops wait on adults willing to lead them.

You do not need any Girl Scout background to become a troop volunteer; the council trains new leaders. Roles range from leading a troop to one-off event support if your schedule is unpredictable. Start at the council's volunteer page.

Cookies, cash, and which helps more

Cookie proceeds fund council programming, and buying from a local troop is one of the more direct ways to support the organization — the troop itself keeps a share for its own activities.

Direct donations through the official site fund programming without requiring anyone to move product, and they reach the council year-round rather than only during cookie season. If your employer runs a matching gift program, a matched cash donation typically outweighs any realistic quantity of Thin Mints.

Check before you give

Confirm the council's 501(c)(3) status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov and look over its Charity Navigator profile. Keep the written acknowledgment for any donation of $250 or more.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Girl Scout experience to volunteer?
No. The council trains new troop leaders and event volunteers from scratch. Willingness and a completed screening are the requirements.
Where are volunteers needed most?
South and West Side Chicago neighborhoods, where the council is actively expanding and new troops need adult leaders before they can launch.
Does buying cookies actually support the council?
Yes. Cookie proceeds fund council programming, and the selling troop keeps a portion for its own activities. A direct cash donation is still the more efficient gift if supporting the organization is your main goal.

Sources: Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana official site (girlscouts-gcnwi.org); our Illinois charity guide research. Retrieved July 2026. We are not affiliated with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]

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