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Passes our checks

Boy Scouts of America

EIN 14-1338581 · Kingston, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

1.THE MISSION OF THE RIP VAN WINKLE COUNCIL IS TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO HELP THEM DEVELOP DESIRABLE QUALITIES OF CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP, PARTICIPATING CITIZENSHIP, PERSONAL FITNESS, GOOD FAMILY VALUES, AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TO PREPARE THEM TO MAKE ETHICAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIME IN ACHIEVING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$370,630
Spending
$357,472
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
15.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
7
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$83,830, scout exec & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $303,890 spent. CAMPING PROGRAM - THE RIP VAN WINKLE COUNCIL OPERATES ONE OUTDOOR FACILITY, CAMP TRI-MOUNT. THIS CAMP OFFERS SHORT TERM PARKING AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS YEAR-ROUND. TRI-MOUNT SERVES AS OUR OUTDOOR LAB TO TEACH LIFE SKILLS UTILIZING NATURE, SCOUTCRAFT, AQUATICS, SHOOTING SPORTS, SPORTS AND HIGH ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES. IT IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE OUR SCOUTS CAN LEARN THE PATROL METHOD AND PRACTICE CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
  2. COUNCIL ACTIVITIES - DURING 2022, THE RIP VAN WINKLE COUNCIL PROVIDED SCOUT MALL SHOW, VIRTUAL ROUND TABLES , FIRST AIDE MEET AND KLONDIKE DERBY
  3. COUNCIL PROGRAM AND UNIT SUPPORT - TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SUPPORT TO THE UNITS, THE COUNCIL EMPLOYS A FULL TIME EXECUTIVE AND THREE SUPPORT PERSONNEL. THEY PROVIDE TRAINING, FUNDRAISING, ACTIVITY, ADVANCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO SERVE 467 FAMILIES THRU THE 33 UNITS THEY BELONG TO. THIS PAST YEAR, THE SCOUTS OF THE RIP VAN WINKLE COUNCIL PROVIDED THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH OVER 20,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
  4. OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CUB LEADER BASIC TRAINING, WEBELOS OUTDOOR TRAINING, DEN CHIEF TRAINING, POW-WOW TRAINING, NEW LEADER ESSENTIAL TRAINING, SCOUTMASTER FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING, PATROL LEADER TRAINING, ALGONQUIN FIRST AID MEET, COUNCIL SCOUT SHOW AND COUNCIL CAMPOREE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.