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
MONEY EARNING PROJECT IDEAS:
- Tag/Garage Sale
- Used Book Sale
- Car Wash (consider a theme)
- Dog-walking service
- Movie night (w/ a variety of popcorn, treats - possible craft to match movie theme)
- Recyclable Drive (e.g. cans, paper, or ink cartridges)
- Craft item sale (birdhouses, jewelry, art work, scarves, cards, bookmarks, candles, pet toys, or other homemade goods - not branded)
- DIY Craft Workshop - provide supplies & instructions (consider serving food/drinks)
- Seasonal Fair/Festival (vendor table fees; activities)
- Conduct a wreath, flower, plant, or tree sale (items must be wholesale/non-branded)
- Raking lawns/shoveling sidewalks/Spring yard clean up
- Take holiday photos (possible at breakfast or fair)
- Tutoring
- Offer face painting or other activity at community or school events
- Community dinner (spaghetti dinner/breakfast/pancake)
- Facilitate badge/patch workshops for younger troops
- Dance/Community party
- "Parents Night Out"/Babysitting - older girls can offer to care for younger girls
- Product a troop cookbook/song book/coloring book
- Organize a 'game day'/Girl Scout Olympics event for girls/troops to participate in
- Organize a 'color fest'/'color run' for girls/troops to participate in
- Organize a 'Fitness Event' such as a Self Defense class open to girls/troops
- Sell something at a booth at local fairs/festivals/farm markets
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 or would like a consultation, contact the Philanthropy Department at Philanthropy@girlscoutshh.org, and someone will contact you.
