American Heritage Girls Annual Ministry Report for the 2024-2025 Program Year

Sophia Gammariello, Stars & Stripes Award Recipient

2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR

ANNUAL

MINISTRY

REPORT

VISION. This Program Year’s theme challenged AHG members to explore what it means to have a Biblical Worldview and to focus the EYES of one’s heart on Christ so that He can fulfill one’s longing for belonging and speak truth into their identity. The significance behind the VISION logo is the lovable Iris the Owl that tweets out Hoo-Who they are in Christ.

Dear Reader, As we look back on this past Program Year, we see God’s faithful hand guiding every step of the journey for American Heritage Girls (AHG). Inspired by the VISION Program Theme, we’ve intentionally celebrated the profound value God places on each girl’s identity in Christ, much like the eyes of the heart from uncertainty into clarity and hope. For each girl, every moment in AHG—whether learning a new skill, serving others, or experiencing the fellowship of authentic community—has been a step in spiritual growth, transforming challenges into triumphs that reflect His Glory, just as God opens the eyes of the heart to reveal His calling and inheritance (Ephesians 1:18, NIV).

This 30th anniversary year has been especially meaningful for me, Patti, as I passed the “sacred keys of ministry” to my daughter, Rachael Culpepper. From her earliest years, Rachael was serving alongside me at AHG events—gaining a front-row view of the ministry’s heartbeat long before she ever joined the staff 18 years ago. Over the years, she has become a highly capable, strategic leader whose greatest strength is her clear and unwavering love for the Mission of AHG. It has been one of my life’s greatest joys to watch a God-given VISION grow into a national ministry, and an even greater joy to entrust its future to someone so deeply rooted in its calling. As AHG steps into its next chapter, I will continue to cheer, support, and pray with full confidence in Rachael’s leadership and in God’s faithfulness ahead.

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In the midst of this milestone leadership transition, AHG has continued to flourish. Here are just a few of the ways we’ve seen God move this year: • Lives Transformed: 43,376 Girls across the nation embraced the truth of God’s vision for their lives, growing in their faith and confidence as daughters of the King.

• Faithful Service: An astounding 721,326 total hours of service were completed, demonstrating the love of Christ in communities nationwide.

• New Opportunities: AHG’s reach expanded with the addition of 103 new Troops, connecting more girls and families to this life-changing ministry.

• The Impact of VISION: This year’s Program Year Theme, drawn from Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)—”I pray that the EYES of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people”—fostered meaningful conversations and related curriculum and event opportunities, helping girls discover the ultimate treasure of seeing themselves through God’s eyes.

Through every season, we have seen God faithfully direct the eyes of our hearts and provide exactly what this ministry needs. Jeremiah reminded God’s people in a time of uncertainty that the Lord’s plans are purposeful and good: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV). That same assurance steadies and strengthens AHG girls, volunteers, and staff today—empowering us to live boldly for Him, confident that our beloved ministry’s future rests securely in His hands.

To our AHG leaders, volunteers, families: thank you for pouring your time, energy, and love into this ministry. To our donors and supporters: your generosity enables AHG to continue equipping volunteers and families as they empower their Godly girls who will shine as candles in the darkness. As we continue in this Program Year, we are filled with anticipation for what God will do through American Heritage Girls in the next 30 years.

Together, we remain committed to walking alongside girls as they grow strong in faith, service, and character.

In His Service, Patti Garibay

Founder & Executive Director

Rob Rye

President, National Board of Trustees

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An Explorer with Troop VA0428 receiving her Joining Award, 2024

AHG Mission Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

AHG Oath I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.

AHG Creed As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal, perseverant, pure, resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.

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IN 2024,

“NEARLY 1 IN 3 GEN ZERS SAY THEY ARE LONELY EVERY DAY.” (31%)

This underscores the

heightened

daily loneliness experienced by the youngest generation compared to the national average of 20%. https://news.gallup.com/poll/651881/daily-loneliness-afflicts-one-five.aspx

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This national loneliness crisis reveals a profound need for meaningful human connection. In a world where countless people feel unseen and unloved, God calls His people to foster intentional community.

American Heritage Girls (AHG) offers a Christ-centered ministry that combats isolation by being the space for girls (and Adult Members!) to cultivate authentic, caring relationships.

In fact, according to research conducted by Masterworks Agency, AHG Members identified a “sense of belonging” as the primary emotion they experience within the organization.

Through AHG, girls aged 5 to 18 are nurtured in faith, friendship, and service in a safe and Holy Spirit-filled space where they can flourish.

AHG welcomes all biological girls, regardless of race, nationality, or socioeconomic background, who agree to uphold the AHG Oath and Creed.

2024-2025 Program Year Membership

Girls are invited to experience the joy of belonging in a safe and supportive environment

1,321

Troops

new passions through badgework, and make a

26,029

Adult Members

positive impact on their communities.

43,376

Girl Members

69,405

TOTAL MEMBERS

where they can grow in leadership, discover

Together, AHG Members forge lasting bonds, standing as a testament to the power of authentic, Christ-centered community where girls can feel the richness of God’s love in the midst

A 6.48% membership increase since the 2023-2024 Program Year

of a growing loneliness epidemic.

Even when joining a Troop

Trailblazers in 8 Foreign Countries The United Kingdom The Philippines Territory of Guam A Middle East country*

a Trailblazer Member. The AHG

Germany Japan Spain South Korea

Trailblazer Membership extends

243 Trailblazer Girl Members

isn’t an option—girls can find a sense of belonging in AHG as

the Ministry of AHG remotely to dedicated military service families, missionary families, and girls in isolated areas or girls who are unable to join a nearby AHG Troop.

157 Trailblazer Mentors 400

TOTAL Trailblazer Members

*The country has been kept anonymous for the security and safety of our members abroad.

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“My time in American Heritage Girls has meant the world to me. I’ve gained my closest friends, made the best memories and grown into a woman of integrity. I’m grateful for the chance to be part of this amazing Troop alongside my mom and three sisters. Our shared experiences have created lifelong bonds. I would not be the person I am today without AHG!”

– Riley Rosenfield, TN2011

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CROSS COUNTRY FRIENDSHIP Registering as AHG Pen Pals gives girls a unique opportunity to get to know other AHG girls across the nation, learn about their personalities, talents, and goals, and, in some instances, a chance to meet after learning so much about each other.

Explorers Elena and Gabby of AL0226, and Explorer Abigail of TX2237 took the special opportunity to take an AHG Pen Pal connection to the next level with a summer meet-up in person! Abigail and Gabby have been AHG Pen Pals since last year. Abigail’s Texas-based family recently traveled to Mississippi and Alabama to visit family. Along the way, her mother contacted Elena and Gabby’s family to arrange for the girls to meet for the first time. From nervous hellos to splendid giggles, the three settled in soon, learning about each other, trading their “best of” from the year’s pen pal letters, and developing a deep bond that will surely last for years to come. The girls had so much fun hanging out and plan to continue writing to each other in the next year!

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38 PERCENT

OF GEN Z WOMEN

AGES 18–24 NOW IDENTIFY AS

RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED, A NOTABLE STATISTIC

THAT SITS HIGHER THAN THEIR MALE PEERS.

THIS UNDERSCORES THE RISING TIDE OF DISCONNECTION FROM ORGANIZED RELIGION AMONG YOUNG WOMEN.

–Barna survey conducted in the Summer of 2023 https://www.barna.com/trends/gen-z-women-struggling-in-faith/

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Every girl is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of her Creator, intentionally knitted together in her mother’s womb with a set of unique strengths, talents, and God-given purpose. American Heritage Girls treasures its great responsibility to come alongside parents, churches, and Christian schools to nurture a girl’s identity in Christ.

Through intentional discipleship, AHG Troops nationwide are equipping girls with the self-confidence, resilience, and reliance on the Lord to enter adulthood as faithful women of integrity.

A girl’s Biblical Worldview is developed through her time in AHG thanks to: 4 Christ-Centered Curriculum rooted in Scripture and Biblical truth.

4 Affirmation of Her God-Given Identity as a uniquely designed daughter of the King.

4 Service Opportunities that foster compassion and selflessness.

4 Faithful Mentorship from trained volunteers guiding her through life’s challenges.

4 Family Engagement to cultivate a resilient, lasting foundation of faith.

AHG Faith Awards give girls a structured way to commit to developing their faith in childhood. This Program Year, 9,380 girls were recognized for their dedication to nurturing their relationship with Jesus through the AHG Faith Award Program.

2024-2025 AHG FAITH AWARDS EARNED B.Y. Faith Awards:

AHG Catholic Faith Awards:

8,913

467

There are two different types of Faith Awards: The Catholic Faith Awards and the Build Your Faith Awards (B.Y. Faith Awards). The two tracks were created to fit all American Heritage Girls. The Catholic Faith Awards honor the AHG Creed, Oath, and Mission connecting what girls are learning in AHG with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. B.Y. Faith Awards allow girls and adults to choose from different options that will accelerate girls in learning to live by faith. The B.Y. Faith Awards offer Troops the opportunity to tailor the program as much as they and their Charter Organization deem necessary. Both Faith Award tracks give girls the opportunity to grow deeper in their faith and relationship with Christ.

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Troop WA0722 worked on the Living and Working in Space badge in conjunction with the VISION program year theme. The girls enjoyed the hands-on activities including working in a confined space, experimenting with diaper filling, and making glove boxes.

During the 2024-2025 Program Year,

GIRLS EARNED

214,205 BADGES,

fostering new skills, talents, and confidence.

The AHG Curriculum carefully weaves together age-appropriate learning with deep, Biblical principles. Each and every American Heritage Girl, from first year Tenderhearts to graduating Senior Patriots, is guided toward a Biblical Worldview while building her toolkit of life skills. It’s in discovering her life’s passions, unique talents, and the love God has for her despite difficulty or failure that an American Heritage Girl becomes a woman of integrity. Put plainly—through AHG, a girl learns who she is and Whose she is in Christ.

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During the 2024-2025 Program Year, the American Heritage Girls Staff set out to equip volunteers, honor girls, and above all, GLORIFY GOD. This year, the AHG Staff achieved the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan and so much more that God had in store for the ministry.

HOW GOD IS MOVING AT AHG, INC. • Closed out the Program Year with the transition of leadership from Founder and Executive Director, Patti Garibay, to Rachael Culpeper.

• Totaled 203,087 Raising Godly Girls podcast downloads, allowing AHG to reach new audiences, providing Biblically-sound advice to parents and mentors, and attracting top-notch speakers/leaders.

• Developed three Raising Godly Girls Guides: Caring for Creation, Loneliness, and Joyful Giving, providing over 6,255 parents and ministry leaders girl-focused, Christ-centered resources free of charge through.

• Reached 7 million people and earned 62,000 clicks through paid social media ads encouraging families and faith leaders to Start a Troop.

• Published 100 Days of Valuing Creation, a girl-centered printed devotional encouraging a deep dive into God’s Word through experiencing the outdoors.

• Rolled out HubSpot as our customer relations management tool, providing robust database accessibility across departments with strong analytical reporting and advanced marketing tools, creating efficiencies in time and improved customer service.

• Adopted a more efficient Troop support system supporting 1,321 Troops and Trailblazer families across the globe, allowing for increased staff capacity and decreased response time.

• Filled 12 of the 22 open positions within the organization, with at least half being internal promotions, allowing for personal growth opportunities.

• Sustained a 96% retention rate on all Troops, indicating strong mission alignment, support, and commitment in faith communities across the nation.

• Amplified the Stars & Stripes Award Program, celebrating 194 recipients from 38 states.

• Started 167 new Troops across the country.

• Grew the number of Area Team High Impact Volunteers to a total of 76 volunteers serving in 22 major cities and 13 additional locales nationwide.

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https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/

A 2025 Pew Research study found

HALF OF TEENS (48%) SAY SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A MOSTLY NEGATIVE EFFECT ON PEOPLE THEIR AGE, UP FROM 32% IN 2022.

This sharp increase signals a growing sense of collective disconnection among peers, amplifying feelings of isolation in social environments.

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Getting girls offline and into their communities means they experience face-to-face connection, community need, and faith in action. Today’s youth are engaged and concerned for their communities, our nation, and our world. Young people sense a strong call to advocate and make change; and are ready to respond. AHG fosters this Godly desire to serve, guiding girls to God-honoring activism that upholds Truth and benefits God’s creation. Girls throughout America are answering God’s call to serve through their AHG Troop, allowing them an opportunity to build community, improve mental well-being, and live out their faith.

American Heritage Girls served a total of

721,326 HOURS last year,

which is equivalent to

82.29 YEARS

of service completed in just one year!

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“ A HG HA S GIV EN ME A WONDERFUL S UP P ORT GROUP OF GODLY FRIENDS A ND MENTORS . IT HA S GIV EN ME A S A FE P LA CE TO LEA RN, FA IL, A ND GROW.”

“My time in American Heritage Girls has had such an impact on my life.

AHG has given me a wonderful support group of Godly friends and mentors.

It has given me a safe place to learn, fail, and grow. It has challenged me, not only in my abilities and talents but also in my relationships. It provided an opportunity to be called a leader.

AHG makes me want to do everything I can for the younger girls in our Troop.

I want to help them grow, bloom, and flourish. I love to see their faith. Their eyes light up when I give them my full attention, an indescribable feeling! The only way I can explain it is love. Perfect, beautiful, Christ-like love shown through the community that we’ve built.”

—Amanda Hutchinson Stars & Stripes Award Recipient, MT2300, Kalispell, Montana

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION | INCOME AND EXPENSES for June 1, 2024—May 31, 2025

INCOME Program Income:

$3,757,971 $1,820,436

Merchandise Sales: Donations: Miscellaneous:

$219,670 $312,179 $6,110,256

Total Income:

EXPENSES Program:

$4,519,799

Management: Fundraising:

$1,487,700 $80,082

Total Expenses:

NET ASSETS Total Net Assets: $5,206,665

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$6,087,581

PER c 74 DOLLAR

DIRECTLY SUPPORTS GIRLS & VOLUNTEERS through program services

American Heritage Girls, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All contributions to AHG are tax-deductible. AHG as an organization is committed to financial transparency and accountability.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, American Heritage Girls receives the benefits of being an ECFA member. The ECFA provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully prove compliance with established standards for financial accountability, transparency, fundraising, and board governance.

Requests to view the current annual audit can be made in writing to the AHG National Headquarters, attn: Senior Director of Finance.

Form 990 is available for public inspection upon request. Annual audit performed by Barnes Dennig.

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Rachael Culpepper, Incoming Executive Director, furthering the mission of AHG through on-site interviews with media at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas, TX.

As protective stewards of American Heritage Girls resources, AHG continually seeks opportunities to share the Mission of AHG through media outlets without financial exchange. This exposure, which comes at no financial cost to the ministry, is known as earned media. Earned media is publicity or exposure gained from methods other than paid advertising. Through television news segments, podcast interviews, op-ed publishing, commentary placements, and more, the American Heritage Girls Ministry leveraged free publicity with an estimated value of $27.2 million during the 2024-2025 Program year. Earned media was instrumental in spreading awareness and increasing membership.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR FOX NEWS Ohio Family Leader Shares 11 Life Lessons She Wants Her ‘Beloved 11 Grandchildren’ to Know POLITELY RUDE WITH ABBY JOHNSON Raising Faith-Filled Girls: Patti Garibay on Gender, Faith, and Culture EWTN, LIVING DIVINE MERCY An Organization Helping to Form Our Children in Faith and Leadership to Counter the Craziness of Our Culture K-LOVE Social Media Concerns for Girls: A Guide to Help Parents

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® In addition to the $27.2 million in traditional earned media, the Raising Godly Girls (RGG) Minute, a daily, one-minute radio feature broadcast on over 1,000 Christian radio stations nationwide has a placement value of over $1.71 million. The RGG Minute is heard on large networks like Bott Radio and CSN, as well as regional networks, all at no cost to AHG. Stations value this Biblically-based parenting advice on key issues girls face as an important teaching and public service to their listeners.

For more information on AHG in the media, visit americanheritagegirls.org/news-media/recent-news.

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The American Heritage Girls Ministry is guided by a set of key performance indicators, benchmark goals, and vision set forth by the Staff and ultimately overseen by the Board of Trustees known as the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan guides the plan of work for every staff member, the operating budget for the entire ministry, and ultimately, seeks Kingdom impact in its determination of success over a two-year span.

Over the course of the next year, American Heritage Girls is focused on growth through its mission to build women of integrity. This year has been a particularly significant one for AHG as we celebrated our 30th anniversary and the heartfelt transition of leadership. After 30 years of devoted service, AHG Founder and Executive Director, Patti Garibay, entrusted the “key” to AHG’s future to a new leader, Rachael Culpepper. Rachel’s deep love for the AHG Ministry, her wealth of experience with the program, and her steadfast commitment to furthering its mission promise a bright future for the organization.

One keyfactor will always remain the same–

the American Heritage Girls Ministry exists for God, because of God. This ministry is His, and His alone.

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IN THE 2025-2026 PROGRAM YEAR, AHG STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS INCLUDE: • GROW MEMBERSHIP THROUGH NEW AND EXISTING TROOPS with a goal of 186+ new Troops, bringing us to over 1500 total Troops, resulting in 90,000 members by the end of the 2025-2026 Program Year.

• CREATE AWARENESS AND CONNECTION among private Christian schools as potential Charter Organizations for continued AHG Troop growth nationwide.

• DEVELOP CURRICULUM AND LEAD-GENERATING CONTENT centered around a Biblical Worldview that help girls and parents remain bold in faith against a chaotic, noisy culture.

• SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND INVEST IN AREA TEAMS to elevate regional impact and volunteer retention.

• EXPAND PAID MEDIA EFFORTS and explore methods of reaching new audiences with an urban focus.

• HIRE EXPERT, MISSION-ALIGNED TALENT for remaining open positions within the organization.

• ROLL OUT ROBUST PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL for tracking workload and maximum efficiency.

• EMPOWER AND EQUIP Troop Volunteers and Charter Organizations with resources that foster Troop well-being and longevity.

• CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE AHGSTORE MERCHANDISE LINE, ensuring alignment of market and mission for Kingdom Impact while optimizing point-of-sale efficiencies.

• EXPAND VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN via new media channels and Troop Support specifically targeting women over the age of 55 to come alongside their local Troop to develop the next generation of female leaders through an Embracing Wisdom campaign.

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EXECUTIVE TEAM Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director Rachael Culpepper, Incoming Executive Director Elizabeth Besade-Perez, General Counsel Rebekah Keasling, Chief Operations Officer

NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers: Rob Rye, President (Kalispell, MT) Philip Williamson, Vice President (Cincinnati, OH) Marci Powell, Chairman (Frankston, TX) Nick Harshfield, Treasurer (Flower Mound, TX)

Members-at-Large: Joseph Ashbrook (Cincinnati, OH) Larry Cunningham (Cincinnati, OH) Nancy Dendramis (Cincinnati, OH) Pat Garibay (Cincinnati, OH) Linda Grinalds (Cincinnati, OH) Geoff Stover (Cincinnati, OH) Greg Schmidt (Anchorage, AK) John Wolterbeek (Duarte, CA)

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EXPANDING THE KINGDOM, TOGETHER. The Ministry of American Heritage Girls is fueled by the generosity of dedicated volunteers, families, Staff, Board Members, and supportive benefactors nationwide.

God is doing an incredible work through AHG. If you give to AHG, THANK YOU. If you pray for AHG, THANK YOU. If you shop in the AHGstore, THANK YOU. If you share about AHG, THANK YOU. With your support, AHG can continue its mission to build women of integrity, introduce the ministry to more churches and schools across this great nation, and in turn, grow the kingdom of God. There is a great need in our world for AHG in a time such as this.

Join in supporting AHG, the premier character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18.

americanheritagegirls.org/donate

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americanheritagegirls.org

American Heritage Girls 35 Tri-County Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45246