Fundraising is an important part of being a Boy Scout. To make all those fun group activities happen, the group has to have enough budget to make it work. Fundraising is a great learning and growing opportunity as well, as it’s another opportunity for the kids to interact with the community and learn how to talk to others.
However, fundraising can also feel really complicated! As a leader of a Boy Scout group, you probably feel a little overwhelmed at times with organizing outings and activities, along with the fundraisers that fund them. Do you have enough time in the day to also figure out the best way to accomplish that fundraising?
Luckily, you have some help! Here are some Boy Scout fundraising ideas to get your wheels turning.
1. WREATHS
It’ll come at no surprise that our top Boy Scout fundraising idea is our holiday wreath and other evergreen fundraising products. We have Boy Scout groups that have been using our products for decades, and continue to love selling them year after year. There’s just something special about our sustainably harvested, hand-assembled, traditional yet evolving holiday products that Boy Scout troops and community members love. Please check out our product catalog before you go!
2. CAR WASH
This old standby might feel outdated, but car washes are useful to community members! Freshen up the idea by adding your own twist. Make unique signs, get a local food truck or booth to hang out at the site with you, have a small carnival-type game for young kids – there are plenty of ways to make car washes feel more fun.
3. SILENT AUCTION
Hosting a silent auction can be a great way to raise money. Ask community members and Scout parents to donate items, gift certificates, or time to be auctioned off during a silent auction. Also make sure to include things that the Troop can contribute, such as lawn mowing, car washes (complete with vacuuming and detailing the inside), leaf raking, or sponsored community service.
4. HOST A COMMUNITY DINNER
Food is the way to everyone’s heart! Have your Troop serve dinner to the community. The food could be donated by a local restaurant or organization, donated and made by community members, or purchased by the Troop with a required donation or meal ticket purchased to enter. If the food has been donated, you can place a donation basket at the entrance to the facility or at the beginning of the serving line and encourage donating so that your Troop can reach a specific goal.
5. ASK FOR SPONSORSHIP
Give community members and organizations a chance to sponsor your whole group or one Troop member for a specific goal. For instance, say you live in Minnesota and want to take the Troop on a week-long camping and canoeing excursion in the Boundary Waters. Figure out how much money is needed for each Troop member to participate, and ask for individuals and organizations to sponsor a member. Have each member write up a fun bio about why he wants to go camping and what he thinks he’ll learn the most about and let everyone choose one boy to sponsor. Even if the money all goes into one pool, it gives people more of a chance to feel connected to the money they’re giving to the Troop.
