We believe that girls should not have to face financial barriers participate in all the fun activities our organization has to offer. We offer financial assistance programs for membership and outdoor experiences so that every girl member of Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council (GGCOC) can be everything she wants to be.
Membership Subsidy
The Membership Subsidy program helps families who require financial support to register their daughter with GGCOC. Families are required to pay a minimum of $75 for each girl registering; the remaining $100 is eligible to be considered for subsidy.
How to apply
Applications are completed by the parent/caregiver through the online girl membership registration system. Confirmation of the approved subsidy amount is provided on the payment screen as the registration is processed. A family discount for third and subsequent registrations will be applied automatically. To complete the registration, you will be asked to pay the balance owing and will receive an email confirming the process is complete.
For more information about membership subsidies, contact info@girlguides.ca, or call 1-877-564-6188.
Get ON Outdoors Subsidy – Getting Girls Outdoors!
Girls told us that outdoor activities are some of their fondest memories of their time at Girl Guides. We want to help make more of these experiences happen and have you spend quality time outdoors together as a unit. The Get ON Outdoors Subsidy is intended to build friendships and to connect girls with nature through interactive engagement with the natural environment.
All Ontario Council units are eligible to apply to receive up to $30 per girl for unit-led outdoor activities. Provided as a reimbursement, this subsidy is meant to make outdoor experiences more affordable and encourage your unit to get outdoors. This is a unit subsidy, not available for individual applications.
The Get ON Outdoors Subsidy will be available seasonally in the fall, winter and spring. Your outdoor activity needs to fall within the season’s eligibility dates. For spring 2024, these are experiences taking place between April 19 and June 16.
Learn more about the Get ON Outdoors Subsidy
Please review the FAQs. If you still have questions, please email
on-getoutdoors@girlguides.ca.
Outdoor Experience Financial Assistance
The Outdoor Experience Financial Assistance (OEFA) program helps families who require financial support for their daughter/ward to engage in outdoor activities that take place outside of typical unit meetings. OEFA is available for the following types of activities:
- Fully Serviced Outdoor Experiences
- Overnight Events (listed on the ON Events Calendar)
- Overnight Unit Camps that meet the criteria - 80% of the activities take place outdoors
- Day events that meet the criteria – 80% of the activities take place outdoors
Each girl member is eligible to receive assistance for up to 50% of an activity’s fee (before taxes) and up to $300 of funding per Guiding year (September 1 - August 31). OEFA is not available for these types of activities:
- Day events that do not meet the criteria – 80% of the activities take place outdoors
- Camps that do not meet the criteria - 80% of the activities take place outdoors
- Weekend/day trips to attractions of an entertainment nature.
Each girl member is eligible to receive assistance for up to 50% of the activity fee (before taxes) up to $300 of funding per Guiding year (September 1 - August 31).
Financial Assistance for Outdoor Experiences Fully Serviced Programs
Outdoor Experience Fully Serviced Programs are defined as those that appear on the Planned Programs for Units webpage.
How to apply
Unit Experiences
For Fully Serviced Outdoor Experiences, the Unit Guider submits a registration on behalf of any participants from their unit that wish to attend. The Unit Guider applies for financial assistance on behalf of any families that indicate a need for it, as she is submitting the unit’s registration. There will be a spot on the registration form for a Unit Guider to indicate that a girl is applying for financial assistance. Any applications made through this channel are reviewed, and if deemed eligible based on information on file, the subsidy will be applied to the payment balance on the unit’s online registration. An email will be sent to the Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) to inform them of which girls have received OEFA. Therefore, the Guider will be aware of the outstanding funds that need to be collected. An email will also be sent to the parent/guardian of the girl, notifying them of the OEFA granted.
Girls who are not deemed as eligible have automatically to received OEFA when submitting the registration form for a fully serviced program but are interested in receiving subsidy can still apply. Upon request, a digital application form will be sent to the Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) to forward to the parent/guardian for completion and consideration. The parent/guardian must submit the is form. Once the form is received, GGCOC will review the form and contact the parent/guardian with to provide the status of the application. The Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) will be contacted only if the girl has been approved for subsidy to determine identify the outstanding amount that is required to be collected.
Financial Assistance for local Ontario/Nunavut Events
When completing an event registration form for a community-level Ontario event, the Unit Guider will have an opportunity to apply for financial assistance (OEFA) on behalf of any families that require assistance. There will be a field on the registration form for a Unit Guider to indicate that a girl requires OEFA. Any applications received through this channel are reviewed, and if deemed eligible, the subsidy will be applied to the payment balance on the unit’s online registration. An email will be sent to the Unit Guider to inform them of the approval and the amount of OEFA that has been approved. No money will be transferred to the parent. The Guider will then be aware of the outstanding funds that need to be collected from the parent/caregiver.
If there are any questions, the Events team will contact the Unit Guider.
Financial Assistance for Ontario/Nunavut Unit Planned Camps
Unit Guiders can apply for OEFA for unit planned camps using the OEFA application form on behalf of a girl/youth member attending their unit's camp. Upon receipt of the application, the application will be reviewed, and if deemed eligible, the Unit Guider will be informed of the approved amount. The approved amount will be transferred into the unit account. No money will be transferred to the parent/caregiver. The Guider will then be aware of the outstanding funds to be collected from the parent/caregiver.
If there are any questions, the Events team will contact the Unit Guider.
Notes
- *This program is only for girls that are active members of GGCOC during the Guiding year in which the activity takes place. Girls who are part of our organization through the Try Now, Join Later program are not eligible.
- It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to pay any camp or event costs more than the amount available from the subsidy program.
- Assistance is limited to the fee before taxes (if applicable).