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Boy Scouts of America

EIN 34-0737790 · Stow, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
98
Volunteers
2,636
Highest pay
$238,149, scout executive

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: 69 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 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 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    68 of 68 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. THE GREAT TRAIL COUNCIL SCOUTING AMERICA'S MISSION IS TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW. IN 2024 THE GREAT TRAIL COUNCIL CONTINUED THEIR JOURNEY TO DELIVER TRADITIONAL AND NEWER PROGRAMING BEYOND OUR HISTORICAL SCOPE. WE FULLY UTILIZE OUR THREE CAMPS, MANATOC, BUTLER AND STAMBAUGH TO EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, TEACH LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS OF MAHONING, TRUMBULL, PORTAGE, SUMMIT, MEDINA AND NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTIES. DURING MORE THAN 80,000 CAMPING NIGHTS, SCOUTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE EMBRACED THE OUTDOORS, CONSERVATION AND NATURE OF NORTH EAST OHIO. IN 2024, 157 SCOUTS BSA EARNED THE PRESTIGIOUS EAGLE SCOUT AWARD. NEARLY 1200 YOUTH ATTENDED SUMMER CAMP AT CAMP MANATOC. OVER 50 SCOUTS ATTENDED THE NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM AT CAMP STAMBAUGH. OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED IN 2024 WERE SCOUTREACH AND PATHFINDERS FOR CAREER EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES. THE GREAT TRAIL COUNCIL ADDED 1645 NEW YOUTH IN 2024. OVERALL WE SERVED 8,050 YOUTH AGES, 5-18 AND REGISTERED 2636 ADULT MENTORS. GTC OFFERS PROGRAMMING TO ALL YOUTH REGARDLESS OF GENDER, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, RACE, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS, ORIENTATION OR ABILITY.

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 November 6, 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 November 4, 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.