Money Earning (Fundraising) Projects
New Girl Scout Leader talking to her Girl Scout Leader Mentor....
OMG - WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY...Girls can earn their own way for trips, events and activities! Are you insane? How do girls raise their own funds? I can barely keep my checkbook balanced let alone think of how girls can raise funds!!!!
Girl Scout Mentor....
JTLYK - I had the same reaction when I was first a leader! Selling cookies is major fundraiser in most troops and girls pick it up so fast. Did you know Cookie Sales are considered a fund raising project? You are going to be amazed at how quickly girls learn goal setting, planning, sales, and spending their rewards! And, even more amazed how much responsibility they can take on the older they get (called Girl Progression). No more freaking out! Our Service Unit has lots of information and experience to help you and your troop!!!
New Leader to her Girl Scout Mentor....
LMSO - I can MIH with this info - TXS my Wonderful Mentor!
OMG - WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY...Girls can earn their own way for trips, events and activities! Are you insane? How do girls raise their own funds? I can barely keep my checkbook balanced let alone think of how girls can raise funds!!!!
Girl Scout Mentor....
JTLYK - I had the same reaction when I was first a leader! Selling cookies is major fundraiser in most troops and girls pick it up so fast. Did you know Cookie Sales are considered a fund raising project? You are going to be amazed at how quickly girls learn goal setting, planning, sales, and spending their rewards! And, even more amazed how much responsibility they can take on the older they get (called Girl Progression). No more freaking out! Our Service Unit has lots of information and experience to help you and your troop!!!
New Leader to her Girl Scout Mentor....
LMSO - I can MIH with this info - TXS my Wonderful Mentor!
Money Earning Overview*
1. Set goals for money-earning activities. What do girls hope to accomplish through this activity? In addition to earning money, what skills do they hope to build? What leadership opportunities present themselves?
2. Create a budget. Use a budget worksheet that includes both expenses (the cost of supplies, admission to events, travel, and so on) and available income (the group’s account balance, projected cookie proceeds, and so on).
3. Determine how much the group needs to earn. Subtract expenses from available income to determine how much money your group needs to earn.
4. Make a plan. The group can brainstorm and make decisions about its financial plans. Will Council Cookie/Product sales—if approached proactively and energetically—earn enough money to meet the group’s goals? If not, which group money-earning activities might offset the difference in anticipated expense and anticipated income? Will more than one group money-earning activity be necessary to achieve the group’s financial goals? In this planning stage, engage the girls through the Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) and consider the value of any potential activity. Have them weigh feasibility, implementation, and safety factors.
5. Decide on type of money earning event. There are two types of money earning events according to Girl Scouts Western Washington.*, **
7. Once approved, carry out the money earning project and have fun while learning!!!
* Councils other than Girl Scouts Western Washington may have different guidance.
** Girl Scouts Western Washington requires girls to participate in Council Product Sales (Cookies or Fall Product) before being approved for other money earning events. The Council product (cookie) program
teaches invaluable business and people skills, and sets the groundwork for developing other successful money-earning opportunities.
2. Create a budget. Use a budget worksheet that includes both expenses (the cost of supplies, admission to events, travel, and so on) and available income (the group’s account balance, projected cookie proceeds, and so on).
3. Determine how much the group needs to earn. Subtract expenses from available income to determine how much money your group needs to earn.
4. Make a plan. The group can brainstorm and make decisions about its financial plans. Will Council Cookie/Product sales—if approached proactively and energetically—earn enough money to meet the group’s goals? If not, which group money-earning activities might offset the difference in anticipated expense and anticipated income? Will more than one group money-earning activity be necessary to achieve the group’s financial goals? In this planning stage, engage the girls through the Girl Scout processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) and consider the value of any potential activity. Have them weigh feasibility, implementation, and safety factors.
5. Decide on type of money earning event. There are two types of money earning events according to Girl Scouts Western Washington.*, **
- "Council-sponsored product sales" are council-wide sales of Girl Scout–authorized products (such as Girl Scout Cookies) in which members participate as part of the Girl Scout program. Learn more about Girl Scout Western Washington Product Sales Program.
- "Money-earning" refers to activities organized by girls (not by the council) that are planned and carried out by girls (in partnership with adults) and that earn money for Girl Scout activities. These activities must be approved by the council in writing prior to the activity. Before planning any money-earning events for your troop, please review the Managing Group Finances and Additional Money-Earning sections of Girl Scout Western Washington Volunteer Essentials.
7. Once approved, carry out the money earning project and have fun while learning!!!
* Councils other than Girl Scouts Western Washington may have different guidance.
** Girl Scouts Western Washington requires girls to participate in Council Product Sales (Cookies or Fall Product) before being approved for other money earning events. The Council product (cookie) program
teaches invaluable business and people skills, and sets the groundwork for developing other successful money-earning opportunities.
Creative Money Earning Ideas
Money earning projects beyond Council Product Sales are endless! Below are just some ideas. Girls can be very creative with a little encouragement and below are just some ideas to get their ideas rolling!!!!
Collection(s)/Drive(s):
Cell phones for refurbishment
Used ink cartridges turned in for money
Christmas tree recycling
Food/Meal Event(s):
Lunch box auction (prepared lunch or meal auctioned off)
Themed meals, like high tea, Indian meal, Mexican dinner (if girls are earning money for travel, tie the meal to their destination)
Celebrate a holiday from another Country
Badge Workshop(s):
Journey or Badge workshop for a specific age
Legacy Badge workshop using old badges
Design and hold a Patch workshop, e.g. Outdoor Day (learn outdoor skills)
Product(s):
Make a product to be resold, e.g. kid's pillowcases, game in a can, etc.
Have a holiday wreath sale, e.g. coordinate with a local nursery to purchase wreaths and resell
Service(s):
Service-a-thon (people sponsor a girl doing service; funds go to support trip)
Babysitting for holiday (New Year’s Eve) or council events
Raking leaves, weeding, cutting grass, shoveling snow, walking pets
Cooking class or other specialty class
Face painting at a local fair or farmers market
More Ideas/Resources:
Do it yourself fundraising - site has many ideas (note, not all ideas are Girl Scout appropriate)
Collection(s)/Drive(s):
Cell phones for refurbishment
Used ink cartridges turned in for money
Christmas tree recycling
Food/Meal Event(s):
Lunch box auction (prepared lunch or meal auctioned off)
Themed meals, like high tea, Indian meal, Mexican dinner (if girls are earning money for travel, tie the meal to their destination)
Celebrate a holiday from another Country
Badge Workshop(s):
Journey or Badge workshop for a specific age
Legacy Badge workshop using old badges
Design and hold a Patch workshop, e.g. Outdoor Day (learn outdoor skills)
Product(s):
Make a product to be resold, e.g. kid's pillowcases, game in a can, etc.
Have a holiday wreath sale, e.g. coordinate with a local nursery to purchase wreaths and resell
Service(s):
Service-a-thon (people sponsor a girl doing service; funds go to support trip)
Babysitting for holiday (New Year’s Eve) or council events
Raking leaves, weeding, cutting grass, shoveling snow, walking pets
Cooking class or other specialty class
Face painting at a local fair or farmers market
More Ideas/Resources:
Do it yourself fundraising - site has many ideas (note, not all ideas are Girl Scout appropriate)