Creative Fundraising Ideas for a Scout Troop

There are an infinite number of ways to raise money for your scout troop by selling lollipops, popcorn or cookies. The best fundraising event not only raises money but creates memories and allows the scouts to see that their contribution makes a difference. With straightforward ideas and a little effort your next fundraising event will be a great success.

Traditional Ideas

Hosting a carnival can be as easy or as complex as the troop wants it to be. The festival can be easy games like tossing pingpong balls in a line of buckets or rolling a large basket ball into a pyramid of toilet paper. Inflatable obstacle courses and slides are relatively inexpensive and easily obtainable. A dunking or pie throwing booth is always well received.
A chili cookoff is a fun community event that requires a bit of organization but is worth the effort. Decide whether to have professionals in the community or parents within the troop compete with their best chili recipe. Troop members can sell tickets, clear tables, or fill drink cups.
Providing a car wash is a tried and true method to raise money. But by adding an interesting twist like having a themed car wash or offering live entertainment it will make your event memorable. Splitting the troop into teams will set the stage for a bit of competition. Which team can wash a car the fastest?

Minimal Effort Ideas

From Thanksgiving to Dec. 24 shoppers in the United States will flock to the malls. Arrange with mall management to set up a coat check area. Talk with some of the stores about borrowing racks and hangars, purchase tickets to label the coats and you are set for business.
An auction can be fun way to raise money. The selling options are endless. Clutter found in an attic, home-baked goods or home improvement services by the troop leader are all ideas that will make your affair festive.

Just Plain Fun

Plan a Flamingo invasion within your troop. Place flamingos on unsuspecting lawns with an attached note having the troop name and a phone number visible. The note explains that a $10 donation is needed to remove the bright pink bird. For $15 the flamingo will be moved to a lawn of the owner's choosing.
You can run a haunted house anytime of the year. It is versatile enough to be assembled anywhere your troop meets and demands enough work that everyone will have something to do. Be sure to set aside an area for the littler ones who scare easily and have fun activities set up for them.

References

• Do it yourself fundraising
• More fundraising ideas
• Additional Information