From what I have read the local GS organizations only get 10 to 20 percent of the money made on cookie sales. The rest goes to GSHQ.
You should do more research on what they do with the money at HQ.
and you should do more reading. In our GS Council the money not sent to the selling troops goes to support our camps and programs run by combination of paid staff and volunteers. It costs about $180 a year per girl on average to maintain the camp propeties and run programs (including those to train leaders)
The girls pay $12 a year dues to National GSUSA.
So go figure “what they do with the money at HQ”
As for National GSUSA and their “cut”, the baker cost includes the fee they pay to GSUSA for licensing the product and use of the logo and brand. Cookies is not the biggest source of revenue to GSUSA national HQ
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_faqs.asp#money_where
Cookie Revenue
Q: When I buy Girl Scout Cookies, where does the money go?
A: With every purchase, approximately 70% of the proceeds stays in the local Girl Scout council to provide a portion of the resources needed to support Girl Scouting in that area, including the portion that goes directly to the group selling the cookies. The balance goes directly to the baker to pay for the cookies.
Q: How does the cookie revenue benefit girls?
A: All of the revenue earned from cookie activities —every penny after paying the baker—stays with the local Girl Scout council that sponsors the sale. This includes the portion that goes directly to the group selling cookies. Councils use their cookie revenue to supply essential services to troops, groups, and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers, and conducting special events. The Girl Scout council’s volunteer board of directors:
•Chooses the baker
•Determines the price per box
•Decides how this revenue will be used to provide vital services—such as adult recruitment and training and operation of camps and service centers—and other indirect expenses
•Decides how much money will be returned to groups selling cookies for their projects and activities
Q: What portion of the cookie revenue is shared with the group selling cookies?
A: This decision is made by each local Girl Scout council, so the portion varies from one council to another. Nationwide, girls receive an estimated 10 – 20% of the purchase price of each box of cookies sold. Cookie proceeds are held in a group or council account and allocated for activities based on the way a girl has joined Girl Scouts, e.g. as a member of a troop, as a special interest group, as a camper, or in a travel group. In many councils girls earn “cookie credit” after a certain number of boxes are sold, which may be used towards council programs, travel or Girl Scout related purchases in the council shop.
Was just answering some other posters. They mentioned where the money goes. Thanks for your answer.