Microgrants & Local Grants

USAGSO Microgrant Program 2026-2027

Thank you for your interest in the USAGSO Microgrant Program. All available microgrant funds for the 2026–2027 cycle have been awarded, and applications are now closed.

We appreciate the incredible response and the many volunteers and communities who applied for funding to support local volunteer development, girl programming and recruitment activities.

Please check back in March 2027 for information about the next USAGSO Microgrant Program cycle, including eligibility, funding details and application dates.

Thank you for helping make Girl Scouting overseas accessible and impactful!

Learn more about Microgrants

Who can apply? toggle arrow

Volunteers who are registered for the 2026-2027 Membership Year. Volunteers requesting microgrant funds must have completed all required trainings and background checks for their role at the time of application. Volunteers who request funds, but have not met their required trainings and background checks will not be awarded funding.

What can I request funds for? toggle arrow

Funds can be used to support volunteer development, girl programming and recruitment activities.

Volunteer Development
Volunteer development funds are intended to help communities attract and retain volunteers by equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide a quality Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Below are just a few things that would fall under volunteer development and support.

Volunteer training related expenses
Costs associated with hosting an Overseas Volunteer Partner (OVP)
CPR and/or First Aid training
Activities that foster volunteer collaboration

We look forward to seeing your creative ideas to build a strong and confident volunteer force!

Girl Programming
Girl programming funds are intended to benefit registered Girl Scouts. Here are just a few ways you can use a USAGSO microgrant to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to every girl, everywhere:

Camps and Events
Troop or group trips
First aid, CPR and/or babysitter training for older Girl Scouts
Resources for earning badges or Journeys
Travel to a Girl Scout event or activity
Take Action/Community Service Projects

Recruitment Activities
Recruitment funds are intended to provide additional resources to market Girl Scouting in your community and/or host recruitment events and activities. Here are just a few ways you can use a USAGSO microgrant to recruit in your area:

Marketing ads (social media, local print publications, spotlight on an expat podcast, blog, radio or video/TV)
Recruitment event supplies & printing costs
Recruitment event facility rental

When do applications open? toggle arrow

Applications are open April 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, or once all funds are awarded, whichever comes first.

How do I apply? toggle arrow

Submit this online application (starting April 1) and please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. We recommend submitting applications early. However, on rare occasions, we may also grant funding retroactively with submitted receipts. Please be sure to include the following information on your application to expedite the review process:

Detailed list of expenses
E-mail of an approving OCMT member or staff member.
Group type (troops or groups, single community or two or more communities)
Estimated number of USAGSO girl and adult members impacted
Payment Information

Can I request more than one microgrant? toggle arrow

To ensure all USAGSO members have access to funding, we encourage volunteers to limit their requests. Priority for approval will be given to groups that have not received funding this microgrant cycle, are in areas with limited access to fundraising opportunities and requests that have the greatest potential impact for their members.

How much can I expect to receive? toggle arrow

The chart below shows the amount of microgrant funds you can expect to receive for your request. USAGSO communities that are eligible, but choose not to participate in the USAGSO cookie program, will not receive full funding.

While we will do our best to support all requests, funding is limited, and approval is not guaranteed.

When does the grant need to be spent? toggle arrow

The 2026-2027 microgrant must go to support activities taking place April 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Grant funds should be spent and receipts submitted to USAGSO no later than September 30, 2027.

More About the USAGSO Microgrant Program toggle arrow

Information for Grant Recipients

Reschedule/Cancellation: We understand that plans change. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please e-mail details to overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org with the subject line “Microgrant”.

Returning unused funds: If you have unused funds, please e-mail overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org with the subject line “Microgrant”. Be sure to include the amount of unused funds and reason the funds were not used in the body of the message.

After the Event: Grant recipients must submit a microgrant response form, and include receipts and photos, within two weeks of the event. Recipients that fail to submit an after-action report and receipts will be asked to return the microgrant funds and denied future funding. Please fill out the form here.

Local Grants

Interested in other sources of funding support? Check with local organizations in your community to see if they offer grants to Girl Scouts. Some organizations that have previously provided grants to USAGSO communities are:

Military Spouses’ Clubs
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Local American Chambers of Commerce
Lions Clubs
Kiwanis Clubs

PLEASE NOTE

USAGSO is not able to manage these grant applications, receipts, reconciliations or acknowledgments, therefore the GSUSA/USAGSO EIN/FID should not be provided.
USAGSO will not be involved in the receipt of these grants - all funding will be managed by and go directly to the applicant community.
OCMTs can apply for these local grants on their own. Anyone applying for a grant over $1,000.00 should contact Customer Care for assistance (overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org).
OCMTs will oversee all applications for grants of this kind, whether on behalf of the Overseas Committee, a troop, or an individual (Highest Awards or Travel). Individuals and troops may not apply for grants without express approval from their OCMT.
Any grant funding received must be reported in the Year End Financial Report submitted to USAGSO.
Don’t forget to thank your funders! Check out our Thank You Postcard Template (pdf/word) and Writing Tips.
Have questions or want to apply for a large grant? Contact your Membership Manager or overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org.