Prior Grant Requests
| Organization Name | Grant Year | Cycle | Request Amount | Grant Awarded | Awarded Amount | Matching Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. | 2026 |
2026-1 |
$3,000.00 | Yes | $1,500.00 |
Organization Name: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.
Organization Website: GSGCF.ORG
Year Established: September 1959
Mission Statement:
Girl Scouts is uniquely positioned to help girls in grades K–12 develop the essential skills they need to become successful adults, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Since 1959, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF) has empowered girls throughout Southwest Florida, including Sarasota and Manatee Counties, to build resilience, embrace new experiences, and cultivate a strong sense of sisterhood. Through these opportunities, girls gain the skills, confidence, and support needed to make an impact in their communities today and achieve their goals for the future.
Contact Name: Mary Anne Servian Years in Position: CEO, 9 years
Contact Email: MAServian@gsgcf.org
Contact Phone: 941-921-5358
Address: 4780 Cattlemen Road
Sarasota, Florida 34233
Have you previously received a grant? No If yes, please indicate the year(s):
How did you hear about our organization?
We receive regular email updates and announcements from your organization and have followed your work through those communications.
What do you believe we can provide your organization?
We believe The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle can help us expand equitable access to Girl Scouts programming, ensuring that all girls, regardless of financial circumstances, can benefit from leadership development, skill-building and community engagement opportunities. Your mission to support meaningful, local impact aligns strongly with our work to empower girls to grow into confident leaders who contribute positively to their communities. Your investment would directly increase participation and strengthen outcomes for the girls we serve.
What will the grant be used for?
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is a comprehensive youth development program that offers age-appropriate, girl-led activities designed to prepare girls to take on challenges both large and small in their lives. Through cooperative, hands-on learning, girls develop leadership skills while earning badges, participating in outdoor adventures, exploring STEM topics and building essential life skills.
Girls grow and learn in a safe, supportive environment where they are encouraged to try new things, take healthy risks, build positive relationships, and take action in their communities. The GSLE curriculum is aligned with national and state learning standards, reinforcing skills and knowledge girls are developing during the school day.
A key component of GSLE is a series of project-based learning experiences called Journeys. These multidisciplinary learning adventures guide girls in working together to identify issues within their communities and develop meaningful solutions.
The GSLE curriculum is intentionally girl-led, meaning girls actively participate in determining the “what, where, when, how, and why” of their activities. Through this approach, girls take on meaningful leadership roles as decision-makers in planning and implementing their experiences. Adult volunteers and staff serve as facilitators and mentors, working alongside girls in a girl-adult partnership that strengthens empowerment, leadership, and confidence.
Adults provide age-appropriate guidance to ensure that planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of activities are carried out collaboratively with the girls. This girl-led model fosters engagement, leadership development, and critical decision-making skills that prepare participants to become active and responsible members of their local and global communities.
The GSLE framework also supports the four dimensions of wellness:
• PHYSICAL HEALTH
• ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
• EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
• SOCIAL WELLBEING
Across all age levels, GSLE activities are designed to build five core outcomes that develop progressively over time:
1) Sense of Self – Girls develop confidence in their abilities and build positive identities.
2) Positive Values – Girls learn to act ethically, honestly, and responsibly while demonstrating care and concern for others.
3) Challenge Seeking – Girls learn to take appropriate risks, try new experiences, and build resilience by learning from mistakes.
4) Healthy Relationships – Girls develop the ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts constructively, and maintain strong relationships.
5) Community Problem Solving – Girls learn to identify community needs and develop action plans to create meaningful change.
Program outcomes are measured through annual surveys administered each spring.
Research consistently demonstrates that the development of confidence, problem-solving ability, and interpersonal skills plays a critical role in long-term success. These competencies rival academic and technical skills in predicting positive life outcomes. Girls who build these skills are more likely to become responsible, productive, and engaged citizens; achieve higher academic success; maintain healthier relationships; and grow into confident and capable adults.
GSLE is implemented year-round through troop meetings, special programs, camps and community partnerships.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida delivers the GSLE through four core program pillars:
1. STEM
Girl Scouts offers robust STEM programming including cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, computer programming, robotics, environmental science, and health sciences, preparing girls for future careers in high-demand fields.
2. OUTDOORS
Through outdoor experiences, girls discover the wonders of nature, build resilience, and develop teamwork skills. Troops in Sarasota County have access to Camp Honi Hanta in Bradenton and Camp Caloosa in Lee County, providing opportunities for hiking, camping, environmental learning, and adventure activities.
3. LIFE SKILLS
Girls develop social-emotional skills that build confidence and independence. Through teamwork and collaborative problem solving, participants learn communication, leadership, and decision-making skills that empower them to turn ideas into action.
4. ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Girl Scout Cookie Program, the world’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program, teaches girls financial literacy, goal setting, marketing, and business ethics. These experiences build valuable skills such as risk-taking, creativity, problem solving, and innovation.
The benefits of Girl Scouts extend to girls from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status, Girl Scouts provides opportunities for girls to develop their full potential.
The demographics of Girl Scout members closely reflect the communities served, including Sarasota and Manatee, representing a diverse range of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent participation. Through the Promise Fund, the organization provides scholarships and financial assistance to girls from economically disadvantaged households. These funds help cover membership fees, uniforms, program materials, supplies, and participation costs such as activity admission fees.
Community partnerships are essential to the success of the program. Girl Scouts collaborates with nonprofit organizations, schools, civic groups, faith-based organizations and corporations to expand access to high-quality experiences for girls. These partnerships are designed to create shared value and measurable outcomes for both the girls and the community.
Volunteer leadership is another critical component of the program. Community volunteers deliver troop programming and serve as mentors and role models. As trusted community members, volunteers also help expand partnerships across schools, businesses, youth organizations and faith communities, strengthening the program’s reach and impact.
To sustain and expand programming, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida seeks support annually from a diverse network of funding partners. These resources help ensure that girls can participate regardless of their families’ financial capacity.
While the organization strives to provide programming throughout Manatee and Sarasota County regardless of funding levels, the number of girls served and the level of programming opportunities available are directly influenced by available funding.
The need for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience remains significant. Many families in Manatee and Sarasota County face financial challenges that can limit access to enrichment opportunities.
Through the Promise Fund, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida currently provides financial assistance to approximately 33% of local members. With an increase in the national Girl Scouts USA membership and insurance fee, these families may face additional financial strain that could impact participation.
Currently, Girl Scouts serves approximately 2,100 members (adults volunteers and girls) across 79 troops in Manatee and Sarasota County, providing leadership development, mentorship, and life-changing experiences that empower girls to reach their full potential.
Support from The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle will ensure that local girls have access to Girl Scout activities, workshops and leadership development experiences, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Provide the grant amount you are seeking: $3,000.00
Do you provide services to Sarasota and/or Manatee County? Yes
What is the financial impact per individual/program this grant will provide?
Currently, 76 troops led by more than 500 adult volunteers serve nearly 1,000 girls across Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Of these, 13 troops are designated as Fully Funded Troops (FFTs), serving approximately 150 girls in low-income and rural communities.
Fully Funded Troops were created to eliminate financial barriers to participation by covering membership fees, uniforms, program materials, activity costs, and transportation when needed. These troops meet weekly or bi-weekly after school in accessible community locations. By removing financial and transportation barriers, FFTs ensure that girls who might otherwise be excluded have access to positive role models, mentorship, and leadership development experiences.
In addition to FFTs, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida provides financial assistance through the Promise Fund, which helps families cover program-related expenses. Families requesting assistance share information about household income, participation in financial assistance programs such as SNAP, and any special circumstances that impact their ability to pay.
Recent increases in national Girl Scouts USA membership and insurance fees have placed additional strain on families already experiencing financial hardship. Currently, approximately 33% of local members receive Promise Fund assistance, and many may face added challenges in maintaining participation without continued support.
Financial assistance typically ranges from $60 to $150 per girl per year, helping cover essential program costs such as membership fees, curriculum materials, troop supplies, and participation in activities and events.
Support from The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle will help ensure that girls throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties have access to Girl Scout activities, workshops, and leadership development experiences, regardless of their financial circumstances.
A grant of $3,000 will support up to 50 girls from economically disadvantaged families in joining or remaining active in Girl Scouts. Through this support, girls will gain opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen financial literacy, and engage in their communities -preparing them to become the next generation of strong, capable women leaders.
By investing in girls today, The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle will help create a future where more young women are empowered to lead, serve their communities, and achieve their full potential.
Please provide the estimated number of women, children and families impacted.
Girl Scouts provides meaningful opportunities for girls facing socioeconomic barriers by ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent participation in leadership development programs. Funding supports direct financial assistance that allows girls from economically disadvantaged families to fully participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE).
Financial assistance typically ranges from $60 to $150 per girl per year and helps cover essential program costs such as membership fees, curriculum materials, troop supplies, and participation in activities and events. For example, assistance may cover a girl’s annual membership fee, her uniform, and troop supplies, while also allowing her to participate in activities such as badge workshops, community service projects, or local field trips that she might otherwise be unable to afford.
We estimate that this project will directly serve approximately 20 to 50 girls in Sarasota and/or Manatee County, depending on each family’s level of financial need. Through this support, girls will be able to participate in Girl Scouts without financial barriers, gaining access to mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful community experiences that help them grow in confidence and reach their full potential.
Is there a matching grant? No If yes, indicate donation source:
May we tour your facility? Yes
What reciprocal benefit can you provide our organization:
We would be honored to recognize The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle as a valued partner in empowering girls in our community. Your support may be acknowledged through our newsletters, website and social media, as well as inclusion in our annual report. We would also welcome the opportunity to share impact stories that highlight how your generosity is making a meaningful difference in the lives of girls and families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
Organization’s Logo https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/gsgcf-green-150×150.png [110 show_image=1]
Project/Program-specific budget: https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/GS-2026-TLC-Womens-Giving-Circle-GSLE-Budget.pdf
Guide Star Profile/Rating (if applicable): https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/GSGCF-GuideStar-Rating-150×150.png
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and for the meaningful work you do to support local organizations. Your generosity has a direct and lasting impact on our community. We would be honored to partner with The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle to ensure more girls have access to opportunities that help them build confidence, develop leadership skills and create positive change.