Are Girl Scouts Being Used To Pay Off Corporate Debt?

Recent financial reports reveal that the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is in deep financial trouble, struggling under massive corporate debt while top executives allegedly continue to rake in six- and even seven-figure salaries.

Cookies, Debt, and Corporate Greed

GSUSA is reportedly running at a multi-million dollar deficit, with recent financial statements showing $115.6 million in revenue against $124 million in expenses—an $8.45 million shortfall. But instead of tightening the belt, executives are keeping the cash flowing at the top.

Former CEO Sofia Chang, who left in early 2023, walked away with $805,541 in total compensation. Meanwhile, other top brass—including the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer—pull in $400,000 to $500,000 a year. And let’s not forget former CEO Sylvia Acevedo, who somehow managed to collect $1.6 million in 2021 after leaving the organization in 2020.

While the executives live large, the organization is allegedly looking for ways to squeeze more money out of its members—including a proposed 240% membership fee hike that would see annual dues jump from $25 to $85 per scout. That’s right—parents and volunteers who already donate their time and money to the organization are now being asked to foot the bill for years of financial mismanagement.

Did They Sell Off Assets to Pay Bonuses?

Rumors have been swirling that GSUSA sold off valuable assets to cover executive compensation and corporate debt. While details remain murky, the financial strain is undeniable. The organization holds around $256.5 million in assets against $69.1 million in liabilities, but with continued operating losses, it’s unclear how long those assets will last.

Meanwhile, the financial burden allegedly falls on the backs of young Girl Scouts, who are still out there hustling to sell cookies—many earning mere pennies per box—to help keep the organization afloat.

Going Woke, Going Broke?

GSUSA’s financial collapse isn’t just about bad money management—it also follows years of alienating its core membership by embracing controversial progressive politics.

For decades, the Girl Scouts were known for teaching practical skills, outdoor survival, and leadership. But in recent years, the organization has made headlines for prioritizing “social justice” initiatives, promoting gender ideology, and cozying up to Planned Parenthood. This shift drove many families away, as parents sought alternatives like American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA, organizations that uphold more traditional values.

At the same time, Girl Scouts’ ties with the Boy Scouts of America—another organization suffering from financial and cultural crises—haven’t helped. The Boy Scouts, now rebranded as “Scouting America” to be more “inclusive,” declared bankruptcy in 2021 due to lawsuits and declining membership. Now, the Girl Scouts are struggling to keep their own membership numbers up, losing funds as families leave in search of better options.

Toxic Treats

If you do buy Girl Scout cookies to support your local troop, concerns have also been raised about the questionable ingredients lurking in these beloved treats—many of which are linked to serious health risks.

Independent testing and ingredient analysis have highlighted that Girl Scout cookies contain highly processed ingredients, seed oils, and glyphosate, which has been classified as a “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization. In a cultural moment where consumers are shifting toward organic, whole-food-based snacks, the fact that Girl Scout cookies haven’t evolved may be another reason for their financial troubles.

Will Troops Revolt?

Some predict a sharp decline in enrollment, as parents refuse to pay sky-high fees to keep an organization running that seems more concerned with lining executive pockets than supporting its troops. As the Girl Scouts' financial house of cards teeters, one thing is clear: if you buy cookies this year, you might not just be supporting your local troop—you could be helping to pay off corporate America's bad decisions.

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