Funding Youth Activities in Local Wards With Popcorn

Many units sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have an interest in selling popcorn but may feel they are prohibited from participating in the sale.  Below are guidelines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in regards to funding youth Scouting activities.  In summary, popcorn sales are permitted if the sales are not door-to-door, are used to fund a camp experience or buy camping equipment, and permission is received from the bishop to conduct a sale. Click here for a PDF about LDS approval of popcorn sales or answers from a Q & A from the Boy Scout director of LDS relations.

Click here for a letter from Charles Dahlquist II, General President of the Young Men's Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .  The text of this letter reads that "If conducted within policies of the Church, the sale of popcorn is an approved fundraiser for LDS sponsored units."

Funding Youth Activities

1. Stakes and wards should fund all youth activities, including Cub Scout, Boy Scouts, Young Women, and Primary activities, from the budget allowance. The only exceptions are covered in numbers 2, 3, and 5 below and should be avoided if possible.
2. If budget allowance funds are insufficient, young men and young women may individually earn their own money for the cost of one annual camp. (Annual day camp experiences for Cub Scouts also qualify as annual camps.)
3. If budget allowance funds are insufficient and young men and young women are unable to individually earn enough for the one annual camp, they may hold group fund-raising activities. This should be done only as a last resort.
4. Wards should not charge young men and young women (including Cub Scouts and Primary children) fees or dues for weekly or monthly activities.
5. Young men and young women (and Cub Scouts) may hold group fund-raising activities to pay for equipment for the unit if there is not sufficient budget allowance.

Fund-Raising Guidelines for Annual Camps and Equipment.

Those conducting fund-raising activities should:

1. Comply with tax and liability guidelines presented in the Church Handbook of Instruction, book 1, section 15.
2. Not sell product or services door-to-door.
3. Provide meaningful value or service.
4. Provide a positive experience and build harmony and unity within the group.
5. Obtain the bishop's approval for the activity.