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The Guide Friendship Fund (GFF) helps overseas Guide Associations by funding projects that improve the lives of girls and young women and benefit their communities.

It also helps units or Associations affected by natural disasters or emergencies such as flooding or fire. The GFF operates through the WAGGGS Mutual Aid Scheme.

What is the WAGGGS Mutual Aid scheme?

The scheme aims to promote international cooperation, friendship and understanding among Member Organisations of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Member Organisations with higher incomes pledge funds to support projects run by those in poorer countries. Past projects have focused on issues such as literacy, rights awareness, self-esteem and health.

Does the GFF help UK units too?

Yes - if your registered unit is in an area of need you could apply for a UK units in need grant of up to £250.

Is it connected to the World Thinking Day Fund?

No - the two funds are separate. The GFF is run by Girlguiding and makes donations to individual Associations. The World Thinking Day Fund is run by WAGGGS, and the money is used to support all of their work with guiding around the world.

How can I donate?

To donate to the fund, make your cheque payable to The Guide Friendship Fund. Everything that you donate to the GFF goes to help others as administrative costs are covered by Girlguiding Headquarters. 

How your donation can make a difference

Rebecca Cook, Branches Advisor, arranged a scholarship through the GFF for Winn Thant Thant from Myanmar to attend the Arts4change Kusafiri event in Madagascar.

‘It’s a great way of supporting Associations around the world where girls don’t have the same opportunities that we have here in the UK,’ she says. ‘Going to the event and meeting Winn was amazing – it really brought home the fact that we’re part of a worldwide movement where we can share our experiences and knowledge. And it’s especially good to know that, thanks to our members, we’re able to help others.

And Winn agrees: ‘I had a really wonderful experience in Kusafiri. It was my first time in Africa, and it was amazing to learn about the history and culture of Madagascar – and I got to see lemurs! I also learnt a Madagascan saying: “Don’t wait for tomorrow. Just do it right now with what you have." I’ve taken that to heart by running training sessions on the things I learnt at Kusafiri and visiting villages to tell people what the Girl Guide Association can offer girls in Myanmar.’

GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) empowers Girlguiding members aged 18-30 to work in partnership with other guide associations around the world. Past GOLD projects have travelled to more than 41 countries including Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malawi, Peru and Sri Lanka. Each project is tailored to the local needs of the host country, to provide community or guiding based development projects.

The bursary is a vital lifeline for GOLD that is given to young women who may find it difficult to fundraise to take part in a GOLD project.

How the bursary is used

• To offer grants to GOLD participants who live or guide in socially and economically deprived areas to use towards their participation fees to take part in a GOLD project
• To offer grants to GOLD participants with access needs to use towards their participation fees to take part in a GOLD project. This includes any young women with medical conditions, have low income, are carers, or experience any other circumstances that may impact their ability to fundraise for their participation fees.

How to donate

Send a cheque payable to 'Girlguiding' and mark it with ‘GOLD bursary’.

You can also donate to the GOLD bursary fund online via our JustGiving page.