The GIRLS Chapter Model
The GIRLS Chapter Model
One mission. Every school. Every community. Every girl.
GIRLS is built to grow. Our chapter model is designed so that everything that works in Winder, Georgia can be replicated in Atlanta, California, Minnesota, and everywhere female student-athletes are showing up without the support they deserve. Here is exactly how it works — and how you can be part of building it.
What is a GIRLS Chapter?
A GIRLS chapter is an authorized local program operating under the umbrella of Girls Inspiring Resilient Leaders in Sports, Inc. — a single nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Chapters are not separate legal entities. They do not incorporate independently. They do not apply for their own tax-exempt status. They operate as fully supported divisions of GIRLS National — which means every chapter benefits from the legal protection, organizational infrastructure, training, and brand recognition that GIRLS National has already built.
Think of it like a franchise — except everything is free, the mission is what matters, and the girls in your community are who benefit.
| Comparison: | Without GIRLS | With a GIRLS Chapter |
| Girls sporting events | Empty bleachers | Packed spirit section |
| Athletic fees | Girls sit out seasons | GIRLS covers the cost |
| College recruitment | Nobody explains the process | Mentors walk them through it |
| Gear and equipment | Girls make do or go without | Gear drives put equipment in their hands |
| Community recognition | Female athletes go unnoticed | GIRLS shows up and makes noise |
| Coaching support | One coach for two teams | GIRLS advocates for equal resources |
Three Types of GIRLS Chapters
GIRLS recognizes three chapter types — each designed for a different community context. All three operate under the same mission, the same standards, and the same national support structure.
A school chapter is based at a specific K-12 school and operates within the school community. It is typically led by a Faculty Advisor — a teacher, coach, or counselor who serves as the responsible adult leader. Student officers are elected and play an active leadership role. School chapters attend games, run gear drives, visit feeder schools, and host on-campus workshops and events.
School chapters are the most common chapter type and the easiest to launch — the school already provides the meeting space, the student population, and the built-in community.
A community chapter serves female student-athletes across a broader area — a city, county, or neighborhood — rather than a single school. It is led by a Chapter Director — a vetted, trained adult community leader. Community chapters are ideal for areas where multiple schools exist but no single school has a faculty advisor ready to lead, or where girls from different schools benefit from coming together in one shared space.
Community chapters often partner with local parks and recreation departments, community centers, churches, and youth organizations to host their meetings and events.
A state chapter serves as a coordinating hub for multiple school and community chapters within a single state. It will is led by a State Chapter Director who oversees chapter compliance, supports chapter growth, and serves as the primary liaison between local chapters and GIRLS National. State chapters are established once a state has a minimum of three active local chapters and the organizational capacity to support coordination.
GIRLS GA — the Georgia state chapter — is the first and currently the only state chapter. It will grow as additional Georgia chapters launch.
How the GIRLS Chapter Model Works
Every GIRLS chapter operates under the same structure — locally led, nationally supported, and mission-driven at every level.
Girls Inspiring Resilient Leaders in Sports, Inc. Georgia — 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation
GIRLS National is the legal entity. It holds the 501(c)(3) status, the bank account, the brand, and the organizational infrastructure. It provides training, materials, compliance oversight, and support to every chapter. Every chapter operates under its umbrella.
GIRLS GA — Georgia State Chapter Coordinates all Georgia chapters — supports growth and compliance — reports to GIRLS National
School Chapters and Community Chapters Winder Barrow High School Chapter and all future chapters Led by Faculty Advisors or Chapter Directors — serving girls directly — reporting to GIRLS National
GIRLS Youth Advisory Board Chaired by the Founder and Youth Director. Representing the student voice advisory to GIRLS National board — chapter representatives welcome.
The Four Pillars in Every Chapter
Every Chapter. Every Pillar
No matter where a GIRLS chapter is located every chapter operates through the same four pillars. The specific activities look different in Winder than they will in Atlanta or Los Angeles — but the mission is identical everywhere.
The Final Structure
How Chapter Finances Work
Every dollar raised under the GIRLS name flows through GIRLS National — protecting the chapter’s tax-exempt status and ensuring full financial accountability. Here is exactly how chapter fundraising is allocated:
When a chapter raises $1,000:
| Allocation | Amount | Purpose |
| Chapter Local Fund — 70% | $700 | Stays in the chapter sub-account for local programs, events, gear, and activities |
| National Operations Fund — 20% | $200 | Supports GIRLS National infrastructure — legal, accounting, insurance, technology |
| National Pillar Fund — 10% | $100 | Pooled mission fund deployed across all chapters by the national board |
The 70% local allocation means the vast majority of what a chapter raises stays directly in that chapter’s community. The 30% national contribution funds the infrastructure that makes the chapter possible in the first place — the 501(c)(3) status, the training, the branded materials, the organizational support.
Chapters access their local funds through a simple expenditure request process — submit the request, receive approval, and GIRLS National processes the payment. Full transparency at every step.
What GIRLS National Provides
What GIRLS National Provides to Every Chapter
Starting a GIRLS chapter does not mean starting from scratch. Every authorized chapter receives the full support of GIRLS National from day one.
| Support Provided | Detail |
| Chapter Director Training | Four-hour orientation covering mission, operations, financial compliance, youth safety, and brand standards — delivered via Zoom |
| Complete Chapter Handbook | Step-by-step operational guide for running every aspect of the chapter |
| All Required Forms and Templates | Member enrollment, consent forms, incident reports, meeting agendas, monthly report templates — all ready to use |
| Branded Materials | Chapter banner, member welcome packets, social media templates, event materials — all in official GIRLS brand colors |
| Chapter Portal Access | Online hub for submitting reports, requesting funds, accessing resources, and staying connected with GIRLS National |
| Dedicated National Contact | Every chapter has a specific GIRLS National contact person — never navigating alone |
| Website Listing | Every authorized chapter is listed on the GIRLS national website chapter finder page |
| Grant Support | GIRLS National identifies and applies for grants that can benefit chapter programs |
| Annual Chapter Summit | Annual gathering of all chapter leaders for training, networking, and celebration |
| Background Check Processing | GIRLS National coordinates required background checks for all Chapter Directors |
| Social Media Support | Content templates, caption frameworks, and brand guidance for chapter social accounts |
| Fundraising Support | GIRLS National processes all chapter fundraising and maintains the chapter sub-account |
The Authorization Process
From Interest to Launch — The Five Steps
Every GIRLS chapter goes through the same authorization process. It typically takes four to six weeks from initial interest to the first official chapter meeting.
The chapter may begin recruiting members and scheduling its first meeting immediately upon authorization.
Chapter Standards and Accountability
Standards Every Chapter Upholds
GIRLS chapters are trusted with the GIRLS name, the GIRLS brand, and most importantly — the safety and wellbeing of the female student-athletes they serve. Every chapter is held to the same clear standards.
| Standard | Minimum Requirement |
| Active members | Minimum 5 active chapter members |
| Meetings | Minimum 8 meetings per academic year |
| Mission-aligned events | Minimum 3 pillar-aligned events per year |
| Monthly reports | 100% submitted on time by the 5th of each month |
| Financial compliance | Zero unresolved financial violations |
| Chapter Director training | Annual training renewal current |
| Safety requirements | Two-adult rule maintained at all times — background checks current |
| Brand standards | All materials use official GIRLS brand colors and naming format |
Chapters that fall below these standards enter a corrective action process — a supportive structure designed to get them back on track before more serious consequences become necessary. GIRLS National is always the first call when a chapter is struggling — not the last.
Youth Safety
Safety Is Not Optional
Every GIRLS chapter operates with the safety of young women as its highest priority. No program, no event, no activity — however well intentioned — is worth compromising the safety of a single student.
Currently Active Chapters
Where GIRLS Chapters Are Today
GIRLS is in its founding year. The Winder Barrow chapter is our pilot — the proof of concept that everything we have built works in the real world before we scale it everywhere else.
GIRLS GA — Winder Barrow Chapter Winder Barrow High School Winder, Georgia — Expected launch August 2026
This will serve as our founding chapter — where GIRLS began. Serving female student-athletes across all sports at Winder Barrow High School with all four pillars active from day one.
GIRLS GA — BASA Chapter Barrow Arts & Science Academy Winder, Georgia — Expected to launch by January 2027
More chapters are forming now. If you want to be one of the first — there has never been a better time to reach out.
Expansion Vision
Where GIRLS Is Going
The Winder Barrow chapter is the beginning of something much larger. Here is the growth plan:
Launch and perfect the Winder Barrow pilot chapter. Develop the replicable systems, training, and materials. Launch additional Georgia chapters. Establish GIRLS GA as a functioning state chapter model.
Expand to neighboring states — Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina. Recruit and train Chapter Directors in each new market. Establish state chapter coordinators as chapter density grows.
GIRLS chapters in all 50 states. A national network of Chapter Directors, Faculty Advisors, and Youth Advisory Board members. Corporate sponsors funding chapters in every market. Every female student-athlete in America within reach of a GIRLS chapter.
Three Ways to Get Involved
Ready to Be Part of It?
If you are a teacher, coach, counselor, or community leader who wants to bring GIRLS to your school or community — we want to hear from you. The authorization process is straightforward, the support is comprehensive, and the impact is immediate.
If you want to support the chapter model without leading one — donate to GIRLS National, sponsor a specific chapter, volunteer at chapter events, or donate gear and equipment that goes directly to girls in a chapter near you.
Already know you want to join or get involved? Find the chapter closest to you and reach out directly to the Chapter Director.
The model works when the community does.
GIRLS chapters do not run themselves. They run because teachers believe in their students enough to stay after school. Because coaches notice which girls need support and do something about it. Because community members show up to games that would otherwise be empty. Because parents and businesses invest in the girls growing up in their communities.
Every chapter that launches makes the next one easier to start. Every chapter that thrives makes the case for the one after it. And every girl who benefits from a GIRLS chapter grows up knowing that someone built something specifically for her — and that she can build something for someone else too.