Money Earning Activities for Troops: Policies & Guidelines

WHAT ARE MONEY EARNING ACTIVITIES?
The Cookie and Fall Product Program activities should be girls' primary way to earn money for programs and activities.
However, if the budget goal for a specific activity has not been met, girls may participate in additional money-earning projects.
Money Earning Activities are fund producing activities that troops can execute to earn the dollars necessary for their planned and scheduled Girl Scout activities. Money Earning activities should be executed by girls with assistance and guidance from troop leaders.
FORMS:
Always refer to Volunteer Essentials, and Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints as well as council policies and standards when planning money-earning projects.
SKILL BUILDING:
Money Earning planning and goal setting should be done several years ahead of a large/international trip to allow the troop enough time to earn sufficient funds.
By planning and participating in money-earning projects, girls build real-world skills that benefit their troop/group, council, community, and most importantly, themselves.
Skills include:
- budgeting
- goal-setting
- customer relations
- good business practices
- public relations
- Calendar sale
- Garage sale
- Childcare at special events (with an adult who is First Aid and CPR certified)
- Recyclable drive (i.e., cans, paper, or ink cartridges)
- Themed car wash
- Talent show
- Produce a Troop cookbook
- Craft sale (jewelry, artwork, scarves, cards, bookmarks, candles, or other homemade goods)
- Sell handmade bird feeder or bird house
- Decorate a Wreath, flower, plant, or tree sale (items must be wholesale/non-branded)
- Sock hop or dance in the community (i.e., for the general public)
- Raking lawns/shoveling sidewalks
- Dog walking service
- Holiday photos
- Haunted house
- Bagging groceries or gift wrapping for donations (cannot replace employee’s reg. position)
- Tutoring
- Refereeing sporting events
- Offer clown activities or face painting at community or school events
- Organize a fall or international festival (accept donations or charge a small fee)
- Community dinner/breakfast (must have appropriate food license & follow promotion guidelines)
- Concession stand (must have the appropriate food license and receive 100 percent of the profits)
- Facilitate badge/patch workshops for younger troops
- Cookie or cocoa mix in a jar (must have the appropriate food license, if applicable)
If you have questions about money earning procedures and planning we recommend that you contact your Service Unit Manager first regarding scheduling and types of events that have been successful in the past.
If you have further questions please contact the Fund Development Department for a consultation at 914-747-3080.