Girls Meeting at Our Cabaña
| Girls Meeting at Our Cabaña |
The World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc. is grateful to its many donors and volunteers whose contributions have enabled it to fulfill its purpose of promoting the success of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world.
The World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1971 and granted 501c(3) status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The two members of the World Foundation are the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the USA. The Board of Directors, consisting of nine members, meets at least two times each year.
The Foundation's purpose is "to promote in all lawful ways for charitable and educational purposes, the success of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in any and all countries of the world".
During the fiscal year October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008, the World Foundation received contributions of $267,546 and incurred a net investment loss of ($119,552) consisting of income from investments comprised of dividends, interest and long term realized gains of $25,237 less an unrealized loss of ($144,789). Grants of $208,659 were authorized by the Board of Directors during the year. Administrative expenses amounted to $69,483.
In the past year many programs and projects were made possible as a result of the work of the World Foundation and its many friends. The Board of Directors approved and authorized grants to the four World Centers, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Our Cabaņa, the World Center located in Cuernavaca, Mexico, received grants for the 50th Anniversary of Friends of Our Cabaņa celebration, travel scholarships for girls and adults from 14 Western Hemisphere countries to enable them to attend international sessions, support for "Leading Teams and Diversity within WAGGGS" seminar, and airfare and honoraria for volunteer international staff.
Our Chalet, the World Center in Adelboden, Switzerland, received grants for volunteer and participant travel scholarships from the Arabic, African and Asia Pacific Regions to assure diversity participation in WAGGGS' international seminars and for purchasing tents and self-catering equipment to promote greater use of the campsite.
Pax Lodge, in London, England, received grants for replacing the stove and dishwasher and general refurbishing of the kitchen, and for reproducing the Pax Lodge CD.
Sangam, the World Center in Pune, India, received grants to provide travel scholarships for participants to attend Advocacy Training Seminars and International Events in 2009, complete the repair of the swimming pool and courtyard, install air conditioning units in volunteer staff bedrooms, and produce the Sangam Sangeet CD.
The World Foundation made grants to the Girl Scouts of the USA to cover the costs of providing the "New Leadership Experience" training program to USA Girl Scouts Overseas volunteers.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, headquartered in London, England, received grants to enable 25 young South African Girl Guides to participate in the 33rd WAGGGS World Conference, to provide Associations in Eastern Europe with tailor made support to ensure sustained growth and development, and for a week long training event (Train Trainers-Leadership and Advocacy) for English speaking Membership Organizations in Africa. In addition, a grant was made to support WAGGGS' Capital Fund, the income from which is used for the development of programs and projects in the Regions/Regional Groups, which enable more girls and young women to become involved in the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement worldwide.
These are challenging times for all not-for-profit organizations; the World Foundation is not excluded. The Board of Directors of the World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc. thanks its many generous donors and project committee members for helping Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting grow and flourish throughout the world.
The needs of girls and young women in the different global environment of the 21st Century have changed dramatically. The World Foundation recognizes these changes are taking place; it is committed to keeping pace with these changes, and remains determined to continue to meet the needs of our constituents and unwavering in its commitment to "promote Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in any and all countries of the world."
The annual report of the World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc. is on file with the New York Department of State, Office of Charities Registration, Albany, NY 12231, and at the office of the World Foundation