Troops flex their financial muscles in two distinct ways:
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and other sales of Girl
Scout–authorized products (such as calendars, magazines, or nuts and
candy), organized by your council. All girl members are eligible to
participate in two council-sponsored product sale activities each year
with volunteer supervision: the cookie program and one other
council-authorized product sale. Please remember, volunteers and Girl
Scout council staff don’t sell cookies and other products—girls do.
Group money-earning activities organized by the troop (not by the
council) that are planned and carried out by girls (in partnership
with volunteers) and that earn money for the group.
Participation Guidance
Girls’ participation in both council-sponsored product sale
activities and group money-earning projects is based upon the following:
- Voluntary participation
- Written permission of each
girl’s parent or guardian
- An understanding of (and ability
to explain clearly to others) why the money is needed
- An
understanding that money earning should not exceed what the group
needs to support its program activities
- Observance of local
ordinances related to involvement of children in money-earning
activities as well as health and safety laws
- Vigilance in
protecting the personal safety of each girl
- Arrangements
for safeguarding the money
Additional Guidelines
Keep these specific guidelines—some of which are required by
the Internal Revenue Service—in mind to ensure that sales are
conducted with legal and financial integrity.
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All rewards earned by girls through the product sale activities
must support Girl Scout program experiences (such as camp,
travel, and program events, but not scholarships or financial
credits toward outside organizations).
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Rewards are based on sales ranges set by councils and may not
be based on a dollar-per-dollar calculation.
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Troops are encouraged to participate in council product sales as
their primary money-earning activity; any group money earning
shouldn’t compete with the Girl Scout Cookie Program or other
council product sales.
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Obtain written approval from your council before a group
money-earning event; most councils ask that you submit a request for
approval.
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Girl Scouts discourages the use of games of chance. Any
activity which could be considered a game of chance (raffles,
contests, bingo) must be approved by the local Girl Scout council
and be conducted in compliance with all local and state laws.
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Girl Scouts’ Blue Book policy forbids girls from the
direct solicitation of cash. Girls can collect partial payment
toward the purchase of a package of Girl Scout Cookies and other
Girl Scout–authorized products through participation
in council-approved product sale donation programs.
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Girl Scouts forbids product demonstration parties where the use
of the Girl Scout trademark increases revenue for another
business, such as in-home product parties. Any business using
the Girl Scout trademark or other Girl Scout intellectual property
must seek authorization from GSUSA.
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Group money-earning activities need to be suited to the
ages and abilities of the girls and consistent with the principles
of the GSLE.
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Money earned is for Girl Scout activities and is not to be
retained by individuals. Girls can, however, be awarded
incentives and/or may earn credits from their Girl Scout product
sales. Funds acquired through group money-earning projects must be
reported and accounted for by the group according to council
procedures.
Sample Money-Earning Activities
Collections/Drives
- Cell phones for refurbishment
- Used ink cartridges
turned in for money
- Christmas tree recycling
Food/Meal Events
- Lunch box auction (prepared lunch or meal auctioned off)
- Themed meals, like a high tea or a build-your-own-taco bar,
related to activities girls are planning (For instance, if girls are
earning money for travel, they could tie the meal to their
destination.)
Service(s)
- Service-a-thon (people sponsor a girl doing service and funds
go to support a trip or other activity)
- Babysitting for
holiday (New Year’s Eve) or council events
- Raking leaves,
weeding, cutting grass, shoveling snow, walking pets
- Cooking class or other specialty class
The Girl Scout Cookie Program and other council-sponsored product
sales are designed to unleash the entrepreneurial potential in your
girls. From there, your troop may decide to earn additional funds on
its own.
