Eden Prairie Brothers Raise Thousands for Veterans With Lemonade Stand

Noah and Cole Dingels, two brothers from Eden Prairie, have scaled a backyard lemonade stand into a significant fundraiser for Tee It Up for the Troops. By pivoting from direct sales to corporate sponsorships, the boys raised $33,168 last year and have already secured $16,000 for their fifth annual event.

How the Dingels Brothers Scaled Their Fundraising

The operation began five years ago when Noah and Cole were 7 and 4 years old. Their first year yielded about $360, followed by $762 in the second year and $1,820 in the third.

Growth accelerated sharply last year, reaching $33,168. This surge occurred after the family recognized a ceiling in their original business model, as the number of golfers at the Olympic Hills tournament remains constant each year.

Did You Know? To supplement their inventory, the boys collect used golf balls from the course, clean them, and sell them back to golfers for charity.

Why the Shift to Corporate Sponsorships Mattered

To break past their revenue plateau, the boys shifted their strategy to include community and business outreach. They sent emails, visited local businesses, and delivered a PowerPoint presentation to explain the mission of Tee It Up for the Troops.

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This professional approach attracted several partners. Walmart provided supplies and sponsorship, Anagram donated a balloon arch, and Kodiak Custom Lettering provided matching logo shirts.

According to Angela Dingels, this shift demonstrated the impact of community collaboration. The broader Tee It Up for the Troops event at Olympic Hills, including the stand, raised $174,000 last year.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the Dingels brothers effectively transitioned from a B2C (business-to-consumer) model to a B2B (business-to-business) strategy. By identifying a fixed customer base and seeking corporate partners, they decoupled their revenue from foot traffic, allowing for exponential growth.

What Could This Mean for Future Youth Fundraisers?

The success of the stand suggests that youth-led initiatives could achieve significant scale by adopting professional business tactics. The boys’ use of presentations and direct outreach may serve as a blueprint for other children seeking to make a community impact.

Financial trajectories indicate the stand’s five-year total is likely to top $50,000. This growth could encourage more local businesses to partner with youth-led charitable efforts.

The cause remains personal for the family. Brian Dingels’ father, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eugene “Papa Gene” Dingels, served 33 years as an Army helicopter pilot.

Tom Groom, a national board member for Tee It Up for the Troops, described the effort as “patriotism in action.” The funds support veterans, active-duty service members, and military families through organizations like the Armed Forces Service Center and Loops for Troops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who benefits from the lemonade stand proceeds?
All money goes directly to Tee It Up for the Troops, a national nonprofit based in Burnsville that supports military families, active-duty members, and veterans.

How did the boys increase their donations so significantly?
The boys began seeking corporate sponsors through emails, business visits, and PowerPoint presentations to reach people beyond the golfers attending the event.

What products are sold at the stand?
The stand offers canned lemonade, Arnold Palmers, candy bars, and golf balls, some of which are donated by Rush Creek Golf Club or found on the course.

Do you think corporate sponsorship models are the most effective way for youth-led charities to scale their impact?