Community Partners

With the critical support of program partners and sponsors, Girl Scouts prepares girls to practice a lifetime of leadership, with access to new skills and experiences that develop the courage, confidence, and character they need to tackle whatever comes their way.

G.I.R.L. Awards

Annually, we honor the donors and community partners who make our program possible! Our Girl Scout Investor awards center around the G.I.R.L that we use to describe the DNA of a Girl Scout – Go Getters, Innovators, Risk Takers and Leaders.

Go-Getter Award: To receive the Go-Getter award, a recipient must be bold and determined to succeed. Whatever the obstacle, our go getter will figure it out, get back up and try again. The Go Getter displays vision and ambition, jumps on board with Girl Scout opportunities, and is often involved in multiple Girl Scout projects.

Recipients: Mike & Teresa Colgan

Mike & Teresa Colgan have supported Girl Scouts for more than 20 years. Together, they have made an incredible financial impact on girls. Teresa is a Girl Scout alum and lifetime member who served on the board since 2007, serving two terms at the helm. She was the board chair during the realignment that helped us to become the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. She also led the amazing process of building Camp Liberty, ensuring our girls continued to have an amazing place to create outdoor experiences. Mike too has been connected and supportive of Girl Scouts all along the way. He steps up any time there are opportunities to financially support girls or host some wacky Girl Scout fundraisers at their home. Together, this dynamic couple have given so much time and treasure so that girls can become their best selves, and for that they receive this year’s Go-Getter award.
Innovator Award: To earn the Innovator award, thinking outside the box has to be the specialty. The Innovator is always looking for a creative way to take action. They problem solve with creativity, curiosity and resourcefulness.

Recipient: Arconic

Arconic (formerly ALCOA) is known for its innovation. Specializing in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, this company recognized the value in investing in girls from the start. For more than 20 years, this company has said yes when asked to sponsor special events, host girls for a STEM program with their Women’s Network, invest in the renovation of Camp Liberty, and help build an Environmental Learning Center where girls learn so much about STEM and the outdoors. Arconic – and our go-to person John Riches – have said yes to building girls and have continued to ask questions and challenge our council to ensure we remain innovative. Girls have grown in many ways and for many years thanks to the innovation and support of Arconic.
Risk Taker Award: Our Risk Takers are courageous and strong. They’re ready to try new things and embrace the unfamiliar, taking risks in supporting new projects. They face their fears, take on new experiences, and can make the tough decisions.

Recipient: Judy Kreiter

Lifelong Girl Scout Judy Kreiter is the recipient for this year’s risk-taker award. A ‘green-blood’ as we lovingly call our long-time Girl Scouts, Judy is a go-to person for our council. She ran Camp Conestoga as camp director and served on the board – as board chair – when we purchased our Rock Island office. Judy took a risk as a major supporter during the 100^th anniversary celebration because she understood the importance of growing our Girl Scout program. And we knew we could go to Judy when considering building Camp Liberty. She didn’t disappoint and asked thoughtful questions which helped lead the project to where it is today. Judy has long supported Girl Scouts with her time, ideas, opinions, and her dollars. We are so happy to recognize her with the Risk-Taker Award.
Leader Award: In Girl Scout world, the Leader Award goes to someone or a group who demonstrates confidence, responsibility, and is committed to changing the world. They show empathy, and empower others. It is clear they are a true leader.

Recipient: Rachel Wheeler

It is such an honor to award Rachel Wheeler with our Leader award this year – as she is also celebrating her 100th Birthday!!! For more than five decades Rachel has done it all within Girl Scouts. She has served as a troop leader, a Day Camp Director, a Service Unit Director, a board member, and a board president. She bravely took her troop to Our Chalet in Switzerland and chaperoned a 10-day bus trip with girls to Juliette Low’s birthplace in Savannah, Georgia. Her generosity goes beyond giving her time to include incredible financial support for the council and major camp improvements. Rachel has kept the spirit of Girl Scouts alive within her own family as her daughters and granddaughters are also very active in the organization. She is an incredible inspiration and role model for girls and truly deserves this year’s Leader Award.

G.I.R.L Awards underwritten by Nikulski Financial, Inc., Hills Bank, and Business and Professional Women-Iowa.

Our Funders

Thanks to generous support from area foundations and grants, we can continue building girls of courage, confidence, and character!

Foundation Support: Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa

Benton County Community Foundation

Buchanan County Community Foundation

Mitchell-Howard County Opportunity Fund

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Allamakee County Community Foundation

Keokuk Area Community Foundation

Community Foundation of Des Moines County

Lee County Charitable Fund

Lee County Youth Services

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

Rock Island Community Foundation

Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine

Community Foundation of Johnson County

Galesburg Community Foundation

The Moline Foundation

Geneseo Foundation

McDonough Foundation

Under Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

Altorfer, Inc. Non-Endowed Donor-Advised Fund

Diamond V Corporate Fund

The Arconic Foundation

The R.J. McElroy Trust

Funding and support from United Ways across our council help provide access to life-changing programs for all girls!

Burlington/West Burlington Area United Way
Kewanee Area United Way
Oelwein Area United Way
United Way of Clinton County, Iowa
United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States
United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties
United Way of Muscatine
United Way of Winneshiek County
United Way of the Great River Region
Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way

Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities

Your company or organization can become a Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois partner or sponsor by supporting our mission with financial contributions, program partnership, gifts in-kind, or volunteer time.

Sponsorship

Connect your organization to the Girl Scout movement and support Girl Scouts of Eastern IA and Western IL as a nationally recognized council for innovative learning and leadership programs for girls. Sponsor a fundraising event, a pillar program initiative, or another learning event for girls. Contact us if you are interested in becoming a GSEIWI sponsor.

Program Sponsorship

As a program partner to Girl Scouts of Eastern IA and Western IL, you can give girls the skills and experiences to reach their full potential as leaders in STEM, entrepreneurship, outdoor skills, life skills, and more. Contact us if you are interested in becoming a program partner to help girls develop a strong sense of self and positive values, seek challenges, build healthy relationships, and solve community problems.

Does your company want to host Girl Scout field trip opportunities? Do you have a volunteer opportunity you would like to share with our troops? Contact us and a member of our team will be in touch.

Gifts In-Kind

Community leaders and local organizations can also give a gift of goods or services. Girl Scouts of Eastern IA and Western IL accepts gifts in-kind for fundraising events as well as programs for our members. Contact us to let us know what you are interested in donating so we can make sure it’s a good fit.

Community Partners

G.I.R.L. Awards

Go-Getter Award

Innovator Award

Risk Taker Award

Leader Award

Our Funders

Foundation Support

Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship

Program Sponsorship

Gifts In-Kind