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Boy Scouts of America

EIN 22-1576300 · Irving, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

As stated in the Boy Scouts of America Charter - The exempt purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to promote through community organizations, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train (Continued on Schedule O)

Income
$330.3 million
Spending
$277.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
3,064
Volunteers
465,943
Highest pay
$678,877, president (thru 1/3/2024)

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

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

    45 of 45 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 (7)
  1. $65.2 million spent. Program Development and Delivery - Development of the program for approximately 993 thousand registered youth and over 455 thousand adult leaders; providing camping and outdoor literature, materials, and techniques, as well as engineering service, to local councils; managing the volunteer training programs of the Boy Scouts of America and handling all national program support in the areas of health and safety, activities, program evaluation, and low-income program; developing uniforms and insignia and other program elements; operating the National Scouting Museum; operating four high-adventure bases and the national jamboree.
  2. $24.4 million spent. Field Operations - Support for local councils, including but not limited to, administration of standards of performance, inspection of council campsites, assistance with long-range planning, conduct of regional training and conferences for professionals and volunteers, administration of an extensive program of local council financial support, and administration and funding of the defense of our private membership rights.
  3. $6.2 million spent. Human Resources and Training - Administration of all aspects of human resources policies for the local councils including recruiting, placement, and training of professional employees; promoting diversity; managing compensation and benefits programs; and monitoring employee relations.
  4. $7.6 million spent. Marketing - Administration of public relations, including providing news releases, features for print and broadcast media, and internal news in the form of newsletters, fact sheets, and the annual report for the nationwide Scouting family. In addition, protection and promotion of the Scouting brand.
  5. $116.3 million spent. Scouting Programs: Insurance Costs Born for National and Local Councils - Support of the group medical, life, dental, and general liability insurance programs for local councils and the National Council.
  6. $1.6 million spent. Scouting Programs: World Bureau Fees - Payment to the World Organization of the Scout Movement in support of international enrichment programs based on an established fee for each registered, uniformed youth and adult member. This registration fee supports international enrichment programs for the youth and adult membership. These programs include World Jamborees, National Association encampments, international training programs and conferences, program related magazines, brochures and pamphlets.
  7. them in Scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts.

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? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, 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.