
GSofSI Cookie Seller Resources
We want the Girl Scout Cookie Program to be as successful as possible for girls and volunteers! Check out the girl and family resources below for everything you need to know about the cookie program. Resources for volunteers can be found under Volunteer Cookie Resources.
Cookie Program Family Guide
Important Dates
Ways to Sell
There are many ways to sell Girl Scout cookies, and each one helps girls gain different skills along the way. Let girls take the lead in picking how they want to run their businesses.
Digital Sales
Use your council approved online digital platform (Digital Cookie) to reach customers near and far. Girls can promote their site by emailing friends and family, creating videos to share on social media, and hosting a virtual cookie booth where they make their pitch online. There are endless ways for girls to get creative in spreading the word about their Digital Cookie site.
Cookie Entrepreneur Family Toolkit
Make Girl Scout Cookie season a family affair! Earning Cookie Entrepreneur Family pins makes spending time with family easy, fun, and even sweeter during cookie season. Start your collection today, and get ready to rock your Girl Scout Pride all season long.
Find your girl’s level below to get started.
Walkabout/Red Wagon Weekends
Pile up cookies in your wagon and sell directly to customers! Who can resist delicious Girl Scout cookies when a Girl Scout comes knocking on their front door with their favorite cookies ready to eat!?
Door-to-door sales remain the most effective way to sell cookies. In a recent study, 78% of those customers who were not approached during a cookie sale stated they would have purchased 2-4 packages if asked.
Lemon Up Stands and Booths
Lemon Up stands are set up on the property where the girl or a close family member resides, as their city, homeowner’s association and/or property management permits.
At a Lemon Up stand, if a girl is accompanied by her own parent/guardian, that adult is not required to be a registered Girl Scouts volunteer. Remember to never leave cookies or money unattended.
When a troop hosts a booth sale, the cookies come from the troop’s inventory. Any cookies not sold still belong to the troop. When a girl hosts a Lemonade Stand, she must use cookies that have been transferred from the troop to the girl. Any leftover cookies belong to the girl and cannot be returned to the troop.
Lemon Up stands cannot be held in the same location as a council - or troop - secured booth.
The purpose of a Lemon Up stand is to give girls more opportunities to achieve their goals, not to replace the team effort of booth sales!
Digital Marketing Tips and Safety
Online Marketing Guidelines
Girls should NEVER share their last names, addresses, or any contact information when marketing their products. Online marketing should always be done with accounts set to private. Girls can only market their online storefront to friends and family: people that the girl or family personally knows. Girl Scouts forbids selling on storefronts or websites like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, Amazon or sales groups where the Girl Scout does not know all the members. Digital Cookie storefronts may be deactivated if we find girls selling cookies in ways that are unsafe. Adding a $ (dollar sign) to a post on your personal page will automatically move it to FB marketplace, which is not allowed. Girl safety is our number one priority.
Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Families
Safety Tips for the Girl Scout Cookie Program
Be safe online. Girls must have their parents’/guardians’ permission to participate in all online activities and must read and agree to the GSUSA Internet Safety Pledge before conducting any online activities. Additionally, to participate in Digital Cookie, girls must read and abide by the Girl Scout Digital Cookie Pledge, and parents/guardians must read and abide by the Digital Cookie Terms and Conditions for Parents/Guardians.
Start selling on DOC here: digitalcookie.girlscouts.org
On this online selling platform, girls can personalize their Digital Cookie site and send emails to invite friends and family to buy cookies with the option of getting in-person delivery or direct shipment to their home, based on Council approved methods of delivery.
Teens can customize their online site using Digital Cookie. Once their website is set up, they can tell their network of friends and family on social media that they are taking cookie orders online.
Girls younger than 12 can ask parents or guardians for help. Encourage girls to personalize their website with their goals and cookie pitch; then parents or guardians can post or email links to friends and family.
Girl Requirements
Upon DOC Activation
Digital Cookie - No Registration Email Received
Customer Options
Tips for DOC
You will receive cookies with your initial order and should deliver to customers right away. There is no money to collect, since orders are paid for online with a credit card! Girls can only have one Digital Cookie account. Separated caregivers are encouraged to work together to manage one Digital Cookie account for their Girl Scout. Work with your troop cookie manager to get the cookies to fulfill any girl delivered orders through Digital Cookie. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois cannot delete or change an order once approved. Therefore, you must be willing to deliver to the customer before you approve their order. Girls must approve their customers’ orders within FIVE days of the order being placed or the order will default to the customer’s second choice-either cancellation or donation. Check your email and digital orders regularly to approve those sales!
Digital Marketing Tips and Safety
Online Marketing Guidelines
Girls should NEVER share their last names, addresses, or any contact information when marketing their products. Online marketing should always be done with accounts set to private. Girls can only market their online storefront to friends and family: people that the girl or family personally knows. Girl Scouts forbids selling on storefronts or websites like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, Amazon or sales groups where the Girl Scout does not know all the members. Digital Cookie storefronts may be deactivated if we find girls selling cookies in ways that are unsafe. Adding a $ (dollar sign) to a post on your personal page will automatically move it to FB marketplace, which is not allowed. Girl safety is our number one priority.
Digital Marketing Tips for Cookie Entrepreneurs and Families
Zero Tolerance for Misuse of Girl Funds
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy for misuse of girl funds; any adult accepting responsibility for handling money is accountable for its proper use and safekeeping. Unresolved debt under $1,000 will be referred to a collection’s agency. Unresolved debt above $1,000 will be turned over to law enforcement for prosecution. Misuse of funds may result in legal action with law enforcement and termination of volunteer service. This policy includes both parent/caregiver and troop leader debt. Unpaid debt may jeopardize the opportunity to sever as a Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois volunteer.
In order to minimize the risk of loss, TCMs should regularly collect payments from caregivers throughout the sale and make prompt deposits into the troop bank account. Please provide weekly/monthly financial updates to families for full transparency. We appreciate your understanding and support of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The intent of the program standards are to ensure a positive experience for all.
Proceeds
How much will your troop earn?
Troop proceeds are based on the troop’s per girl average (PGA). The troop’s PGA is calculated by taking the number of boxes sold by the troop, divided by the number of girls selling. All troops earn a base rate of 86 cents per box! In addition, troops will have the opportunity to earn additional proceeds based off of their troop’s PGA.
*You are not able to delete a girl in eBudde once she has already been entered into the system. As long as her balance s zero and says that she has sold zero cookies, she will not be counted as a participant in the sale and the troop’s per girl average (PGA) will not be affected.
Reward Opt-Out
Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops can make a majority decision to opt out of rewards and earn an additional 10 cents per package sold.
Reward levels 750 packages and above are non-accumulative. Girls who sell 1750 packages will only get to select one reward from the 750-1750 reward choices. Higher level (750 packages and up) will be shipped directly to the girl. Please make sure that your girl’s address is up-to-date and on file with GSofSI.
Service Unit Proceeds
Service units earn cookie proceeds too! Each service unit earns $0.02 per package sold by troops in their service unit. Service unit proceeds are distributed at the end of the program.
Money Management
Girl/Caregiver Level
Caregivers are financially responsible for all cookies received and all money received from customers.
Checks-verify with your troop leader regarding accepting checks from customers.
Handling money is a serious matter and any misuse of girl funds collected is a criminal offense.
Since switching to a direct sale, all money should be collected from the customer at the time the order is received/given to the customer. This should result in zero collections at the end of the season. All Digital Cookie orders are paid for by credit card at the time of the order.
You are responsible for lost or stolen funds.
Money Safety
What to do if theft occurs:
Receipting and Transactions
Receipting
You will give this receipt to a girl/caregiver when they pick up cookies from you. The TCM will keep the white copy and the caregiver gets the yellow copy. Again, please keep these receipts for your records even after the sale is over.
Stay organized! Every time that you pick up cookies form your troop cookie manager and/or give her/her money, be sure to get a receipt Keep all receipts for your records. Do not take cookies from the TCM or give him/her money without also receiving a receipt in return.
Transactions
For each transaction, troop cookie managers are caregivers should count cookies and money together, then complete a receipt for the transaction. This way everyone is on the same page.
Note: Troops that get checks with Non-sufficient funds, can send those to their state’s attorney office collection.
What is Hometown Heroes?
Hometown Heroes is our rebranded cookie donation program or also known as Gift of Caring. In the past, all donations that were collected by girls and their troops were stored in a virtual warehouse and at the end of the season they were then donated to one organization. Now, each service unit has the opportunity to select their own organization to donate to. This will allow cookies to completely stay in their community giving the donation program a whole new purpose, while hitting closer to home for girls and their communities. At the end of the sale, we will use cookies from our cupboards to fulfill these donations for each service unit’s location.
How to Participate
Each service unit should come up with a location or two where they would like to donate their cookies.
Examples:
Donations can be collected in person through walkabouts, at booths, or even through Digital Cookie! All aspects of the program will count towards these service unit donations and their selected hometown hero organizations.
Download the 2023 Cookie Rewards Card!
Digital Cookie rewards are earned from selling through your online platform/link. Any direct shipped, girl delivery and donations purchased through your Digital Cookie link will count towards these rewards from Little Brownie.
Hometown Hero rewards are earned from donation cookies for both in-person and online sales.
Final Rewards
Cumulative
Final reward levels 25-750 package levels are cumulative.
Noncumulative
Final reward levels 1000-3000 are noncumulative.
Ex: If a girl reaches 1250 packages sold. She will earn all reward levels 25-750 and then the 1250 reward level.
Please note, cookie dough is also noncumulative. It can only be picked on one reward level.
Cookie Dough
Cookie Dough is a council reward card that can be used to pay for service unit camps, council sponsored programs, in the shop, or next year’s registration.
The Cookie Dough process has been updated!
Cookie Crossover
Patches will be mailed directly to the Girl Scout from M2. Please contact M2 customer care if you have any questions on your patch’s status. 800-372-8520
To earn:
Cookie Scavenger Hunt
Girl Scouts who check off 25 or more activities on the 2023 Cookie Scavenger Hunt List will be eligible for the charm patch. There are SIX coordinating charms that can be earned by checking off certain activities!
Race to the Rally
Get Ready. Get Set. Race to the Rally!
Each week of this cookie season, every girl with 10 donations or more collected through Digital Cookie will be entered to win a customized bluetooth speaker!
All girls need to do is to promote our Hometown Heroes campaign that celebrates local heroes with the gift of Girl Scout Cookies! Then, our Product Program team will automatically enter all girls who collect 10 or more donations that week into a random drawing. Three bluetooth speakers will be given away each week! Girls get to work towards their goals, while our community champions get to know how much we all appreciate all they do.
Rally Finale: February 27 - March 5
Let’s finish cookie season with a grand finale!
From February 27 to March 5, customers will be able to use Digital Cookie to order cookies to be shipped to their homes. They can even order the brand new Raspberry Rally cookie which is available through direct ship only!
Girl Scouts who sell 50+ boxes of cookies that are direct shipped through Digital Cookie will earn a mini crossbody sling bag and a custom patch!
PLUS, we will give away two customized bluetooth speakers each day!
Every girl who collects any Digital Cookie sales or donations will be entered into the following day’s giveaway. Ex: Girls with Digital Cookie Direct Shipped/Donation orders on February 27 will be entered in the drawing for February 28.
Independent girls, known as Juliettes, may participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, learn business skills, and earn rewards! Juliettes cannot have a troop account; therefore, proceeds will be calculated on a per box range and will be distributed in the form of a council gift card.
Girl Scout Juliettes will no longer receive a physical council gift card. Instead, each Juliette will be assigned a virtual gift card number. This gift card will stay with the Juliette throughout her Girl Scouting years, and will be reloaded with the proceed amount earned at the end of each Product Program.
Similar to the new cookie dough process, to use proceeds earned, fill out a Juliette Proceeds Request form. This form will ask for the amount requesting to be used and what the girl would like to use it on. In the case of a program event, resident camp, or day camp the caregiver will need to know the name, date, and cost of the event. Customer care will then process your request and be in contact with the caregiver. In the case of a shop purchase, the shop will be in contact with the caregiver within 4 business days to collect the order.
Juliette Proceeds Request Form
GSofSI Gift Card Proceeds
Total Packages Sold | Daisy-Ambassador (w/Rewards) | Cadette-Ambassador (w/Rewards) |
12-24 | $10 | $15 |
25-49 | $20 | $25 |
50-74 | $35 | $40 |
75-99 | $55 | $60 |
100-124 | $75 | $80 |
125-149 | $95 | $100 |
150-174 | $115 | $120 |
175-199 | $135 | $140 |
200-224 | $155 | $160 |
225-249 | $175 | $180 |
250-274 | $195 | $200 |
275-299 | $215 | $220 |
300-324 | $235 | $240 |
325-349 | $255 | $260 |
*Starting at 350 packages, every 25-package increment, the gift card amount will increase by $20 for both reward and no reward option.
Initial Order
How does the Juliette Come Up with Her Initial Inventory? By goal setting which is an important life skill!
When Can the Juliette's Starting Inventory Order (IO) be Picked-up? Communicate often and frequently with your Juliette Advisor.
Ways to Sell
Walkabouts: Door-to-door sales with cookies in-hand!
Cookie Booths: Juliette Girl Scouts can participate in a booth sale or Lemon Up Stand.
Juliette Cookie Booth Requirements
Digital Cookie: online sales.
Hometown Heroes: Donations can be collected from all aspects of the Cookie Program!
Click here to see ways to sell!
Getting More Cookies
The Service Unit Cookie Manager/Juliette Advisor can order additional cookies as needed. Please out to them if you need additional cookies. As a reminder, orders can only be placed in full case amounts.
Paying for Cookies
How is Money from Product Sales Handled?
Forms
Additional Websites
Little Brownie Bakers | littlebrowniebakers.com
The official baker of Girl Scout Cookies! You’ll find information, fun and games for girls.
Girl Scout Cookie Finder | Find Cookies
Digital Cookie | digitalcookie.girlscouts.org
Cookie portal for girls to create their online store front, set goals, track sales, and email customers.
Virtual Backgrounds
For more downloadable media assets, please visit littlebrowniebakers.com!
Snapchat Filters
For more downloadable media assets, please visit littlebrowniebakers.com!
Volunteer and Family Social Media Posts
Spread the word that it's Girl Scout Cookie Time! Here are a few graphics you can download to share on social media with Digital Cookie links.
For more downloadable media assets, please visit littlebrowniebakers.com!
Stories and Cover Photos
For more downloadable media assets, please visit littlebrowniebakers.com!