Effective Fundraising Ideas for Boy Scouts

Planning a fundraising event for the Boy Scouts can be both fun and challenging. The choice of how to raise funds for your troop depends on several factors including the age and interests of the scouts, the available resources, and the community involvement. Below are some creative and proven fundraising strategies that can be successfully implemented.

An External Restaurant Fundraiser

A good external fundraiser is to set up a restaurant night. This method involves choosing a local restaurant and negotiating with them to host a fundraising night, typically on a weeknight. The restaurant agrees to donate a percentage of the sales generated by customers who bring in a flyer advertising the event. This could be anywhere from 20% to 50% of the sales. The troop members then need to publicize the event and distribute the flyers. It is crucial to remind participants to bring the flyers with them and to ensure the restaurant staples a flyer to each eligible receipt to avoid missing any sales.

In year pasts, my Boy Scout troop successfully used this strategy once or twice a year. The results were always positive, as the event not only raised money but also strengthened community ties with local businesses.

An Internal Cake Auction

Internal fundraising can take the form of a cake auction. Each family can contribute a cake based on a theme and add items such as gift cards, toys, and services certificates to the auction. The cakes and items are then sold at an auction, with all proceeds going to the troop.

This approach was utilized at our Pack's Blue Gold dinner. We had various awards for best decoration and most appetizing, which made the event fun and engaging. Importantly, we restricted the bidding to scouts for their family members, ensuring a more controlled and enthusiastic participation. The event raised nearly all the funds required to operate the pack throughout the year.

Other Flexible Fundraising Activities

There are numerous other ways to raise money for the Boy Scouts. If you're located in the USA and affiliated with Scouting, consider Trails End Popcorn. This involves organizing a popcorn sale managed through the local district and council. Last year, one of our new Girl troops earned over $8000 through this method. Additionally, selling camp cards, which are cards showcasing coupons and discounts from local businesses, can also be an effective way to raise funds.

Furthermore, more traditional fundraising activities such as yard sales and car washes can be organized within your unit. However, before conducting any unit-based fundraisers, ensure you have the approval from your council and fill out any necessary permission forms. It is important to remind scouts that they can only wear the uniform while selling popcorn or goods as part of the fundraising activities.

Conclusion

Fundraising events can be a pivotal part of running a Boy Scout troop. By exploring various options and finding the right combination of strategies that align with your goals and the interests of your scout members, you can successfully fund the activities and adventures that make Scouting such a valuable experience. Remember, the success of your fundraising efforts ultimately hinges on community support and effective planning.