To help you, here is a spaghetti dinner money-earning example from the Kenyon Service Unit troops. Participants were Brownies to Ambassadors.

Money-earning tips

A service unit cannot host or conduct money-earning (ME) projects but can assist troops in developing and implementing projects. All proceeds must go back to troops.

When dealing with food for a ME project, you must contact the State Health Department to inquire whether or not you will need a food license prior to approval.

Spaghetti Dinner Insights

Was your project successful?

Yes. It was a great success. We served 140 people and the girls did a great job serving, assisting, cleaning and thanking everyone.

Did you meet your fundraising goal?

Just barely. We didn’t raise our prices, even though we knew the cost of food would be more. Each troop made about $100.

Would you do the same event again or change it in anyway?

We will do it again next year. It is a great way for the girls to be seen in the community. Not sure we would change anything, maybe plan sooner to have more time to advertise.
Thank you to all who have been sending in pictures from their money-earning projects. I am going to give you one more helpful reminder—Cookie Sales are just around the corner and ME projects cannot be held during the fall product sales or cookie sales. Please continue to turn in your approval forms 30 days in advance.

For more information check out money-earning guidelines and stay tuned for more money-earning tips!

Craft + Bake Sale Experience

Was your project successful?

Yes. We, Troop 51282, organized the event, set up a concession stand and also sponsored a food drive. Interacting with troops of all age levels was fun. We learned about planning, budgeting, marketing, selling, making change, dealing with customers and more.

What are you raising money for and did you meet your fundraising goal?

We are planning a trip to Pax Lodge World Centre in London. We will participate in a special program for the 100th year in Girl Scouting. Our goal was to make enough for the next trip payment. We met our goal, with a little extra help from some generous donations. You can learn more about taking a trip with your troop, destinations.

Would you do the same event again, or change it in anyway?

Yes. We want to encourage greater troop participation in our service unit. Currently we’re collecting feedback and asking troops who have hosted similar events how we can inspire more interest. Next year we want troops to submit an application with hopes to qualify as the host troop.

Helpful Money-Earning Tips

• When dealing with food you must contact the State Health Department to determine if a food license is needed prior to approval.
• Money-earning projects cannot be held during the Fall Product Sales and Cookie Sales. Please continue to turn in your money-earning project approval forms 30 days in advance.

Thank you to all troops sending in pictures in coordination with approved money-earning projects. I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday season! Stay tuned for more fun money-earning excursions throughout River Valleys!

For other helpful tips and money-earning guidelines visit the money-earning section.

Here are the steps to upload a picture to our page.

1. First Like us.
2. Next click Photo.
3. Click Upload a Photo.
4. Click Browse and find the picture on your computer.
5. Click Share and tell us about the photo.
6. Your picture is posted.

Now you can go to our Facebook page, like us and add your pictures.

Reflection is a powerful tool to help you see what you have accomplished throughout the year, appreciate your personal milestones (as well as the girls’), and look ahead to the upcoming year.As you spend time reflecting on your Girl Scout year this summer, think about how you made the journey purposeful for the girls, their families, and yourself. This intentional reflection time will help you realize how all of your hard work has helped create a unique Girl Scout experience for everyone.

Another aspect of reflection is actually sharing your thoughts. Consider sharing your Girl Scout story today; your genuine leadership voice will inspire those around you to get involved and create positive action.

Let’s Reflect Together!

Take some time to reflect on this year, and share your experience with your fellow first-time leaders on this blog. What was your most rewarding Girl Scout experience this year?

• Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program or Fall Product Program…of course!
• Make handmade cards for special occasions
• Plant sale (make sure plants are wholesale or non-branded)
• Pick up litter after sports events
• Have a themed car wash
• Do face-painting at a community event
• Wash neighborhood windows
• Hold a drive for returnable cans
• Garage Sale
• Walk pets

Look around you and see what needs could be filled or what interests your girls have. What will your next project be?

Check out the Money-Earning page for additional information and guidelines for how to keep girls safe, as well as a list of great project ideas. If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact Liana Tessum, 800-598-5516.

Can Girl Scouts raise money for other charities, organizations, or a good cause?

As a member of Girl Scouts, you cannot raise money for other organizations. However, groups can decide to give donations of funds already earned, or goods purchased from group funds, to a cause or another charity. For example, a Girl Scout group might purchase groceries for a shelter at Thanksgiving or “adopt” an animal at the zoo. Groups can also volunteer at events. They can give out water bottles, for example, or cheer on runners. Just be sure that your presence does not give the perception of endorsing a product, political cause, or candidate.

Check out the money-earning page for additional information and guidelines for how to keep girls safe, as well as a list of great project ideas. If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact Liana Tessum, 800-598-5516.

Are your girls looking for ways to support their Girl Scout experience in addition to the Cookie and Fall Product Program Activity? If so, be sure to check out the Money Earning page for additional information and guidelines for how to keep girls safe, as well as a list of great project ideas.

Money-earning projects over $100 need to be approved through the council by submitting a Troop Money-Earning Project Approval form 30 days prior to the planned activity.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our staff contact for money earning events, 800-598-5516.

Please call and get informed before starting your project. Troops can contact the below agencies to find out more about licensing guidelines in their area:

Minnesota

Wisconsin

• Food stands and community dinners:
  Wisconsin Department of Health
  1-608-266-2835
• Bake sales: 1-608-224-4700

For additional information about troop money earning, please go to the money earning page.