Four Creative Fundraising Ideas for Scout Troops

These four creative fundraisers will inspire your unit to raise some extra cash for their next Scouting adventure.

SWEET TREAT

Bees support ecosystems by pollinating plants. They also support Troop 989 of Littleton, Colorado, by making honey. The troop owns multiple hives, which the Scouts take care of. When it’s time, they collect the honey, sometimes jarring around 100 pounds of the natural sweet stuff.

“I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills being the head beekeeper,” says Eagle Scout Owen Eversman, 17. “I help new Scouts learn about the bees, organize things and get everybody together to sell honey.”

Selling a pint for $25, the troop can earn up to $2,000 each year. The Scouts often set up a booth at a local fall festival.

“It’s a fun process,” says Kaeson Laabs, 11, a Scout. “I’ve learned I’m a really good beekeeper.”

BIG MONEY AT BIG GAMES

Scouts in Troop 777 of Northville, Michigan, wanted to go to Iceland for a couple of weeks, but they needed to raise a few thousand dollars to do it. So they got permission to sell snacks during University of Michigan home football games, which typically attract more than 110,000 people each game. The Scouts sold Latitude 40 Snacks, which they had seen at the National Jamboree.

“We went to tailgates, and we had these giant duffel bags full of granola,” says Molly Schaad, 17, a Life Scout. “We made $700 in a day.”

After selling a few times at the football stadium nicknamed “The Big House,” the Scouts had made enough money for their trip, which included hiking on a glacier, snorkeling between tectonic plates and exploring waterfalls.

“I truly earned it,” says Life Scout Amara Roux, 17. “It gave me a lot of experience with marketing and sales pitches.”

MORE THAN CHICKEN FEED

Everyone loves a good meal, and Troop 457 of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, cooks up a delicious one for its community every fall. They serve smoked chicken halves, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob and cookies.

Scouts put together as many as 500 plates for customers. Their efforts pay off by netting nearly $6,000.

“It’s tough to stand hours on end,” says Dimitri Matusiak, 16, a Life Scout. “But everyone has a lot of fun.”

The troop advertises the barbecue lunch on social media and around town. Some Scouts dress up as chickens during the event.

“The chicken suit certainly helps,” says Ian Maloney, 14, a Second Class Scout. “We put the ‘fun’ in fundraiser.”

RECYCLING PAYS

The Scouts in Troop 1299 of Allen, Texas, love high-adventure trips. To pay for them, the guys do several fundraisers, including a fabric drive.

They partner with a service called Phill the Box, which pays for donations of used clothing, shoes and accessories, like purses and bedding. Troop 1299 collects these items by inviting people to drop off donations at a neighborhood park.

“All the Scouts have to do is help load donations into the bins and trucks, making this a time where we serve our community while also getting to spend quality time with Scout friends,” says Iniyan Alagappan, 16, a Life Scout.

The troop usually makes around $1,500.

“Thanks to this fundraiser, we’re able to fund all the fun campouts and activities we go on as a troop,” says Life Scout Marc Dewailly, 15.

START EARNING

To make money for your Scouting adventures, first check with your council to see what fundraisers it offers. For extra money, your unit can organize its own fundraiser. File a unit money-earning project application with your council and chartering organization. If approved, follow local laws on solicitation rules and permits. Remember to also follow Scouting America’s safety practices. And remember to follow proper food handling procedures when preparing and serving food, and be sure to have a plan in case of severe allergic reactions.