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Boy Scouts of America

EIN 41-0698309 · Rochester, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP YOUTH MATURE INTO WHOLESOME, CAPABLE, CONTRIBUTING, AND PERSONALLY FIT ADULTS BY INSTILLING THE VALUES EXPRESSED IN THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW. THE SCOUTING PROGRAM FACILITATES MEANINGFUL CONTACT AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN YOUTH, PARENTS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (PARTNERS) TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE ADOPT STRONG VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS. THE PROGRAM PRESENTS ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE FUN, INTERESTING, AND PROVIDE VALUABLE EXPERIENCE DIRECTED AT THE MATURITY AND INTEREST OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THEIR APPROPRIATE AGE AND ABILITY LEVELS. THE PURPOSE OF GAMEHAVEN COUNCIL IS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAM, ASSEMBLE AND TRAIN VOLUNTEERS, GATHER RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT, AND TO PROMOTE THE PROGRAMS' PARENTS, YOUTH AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY IN THE SEVEN COUNTIES OF SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$772,084
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
13.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
7
Volunteers
717
Highest pay
$80,869, scout executive/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: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 92% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 823% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $366,819 spent. CUB SCOUTING - A FAMILY AND HOME-CENTERED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADE (OR 5 THROUGH 10 YEAR OLDS). LIONS IS AN INTRODUCTORY PROGRAM FOR KINDERGARTEN AGE CHILDREN. 4TH & 5TH GRADERS ARE WEBELOS SCOUTS (WE'LL BE LOYAL SCOUTS) AND PARTICIPATE IN MORE ADVANCED ACTIVITIES THAT BEGIN TO PREPARE THEM TO BECOME BOY SCOUTS. CUB SCOUTING'S EMPHASIS IS ON A QUALITY PROGRAM AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHERE MOST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVOLVED. ALL SCOUTING PROGRAMS PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CITIZENSHIP, TRAINING, CHARACTER BUILDING, AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH CAMPING AND ACTIVITIES. THERE WERE 625 YOUNG PEOPLE SERVED IN 2024.
  2. $294,654 spent. SCOUTS BSA IS A PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 11 THROUGH 17 DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THE AIMS OF SCOUTING THROUGH A VIGOROUS OUTDOOR PROGRAM AND PEER GROUP LEADERSHIP WITH THE COUNSEL OF AN ADULT SCOUTMASTER. THERE WERE 502 YOUTH PARTICIPANTS IN 2024.
  3. $19,335 spent. LEARNING FOR LIFE/EXPLORING - DESIGNED FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AGES 14 THROUGH 20 TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT OFFER LEADERSHIP TRAINING, FITNESS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SERVICE, AND CAREER HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES. EXPLORING PROMOTES THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENT YOUTH. THE MISSION OF LEARNING FOR LIFE IS TO SERVE OTHERS BY HELPING TO INSTILL VALUES OF GOOD CHARACTER, PARTICIPATING CITIZENSHIP, AND PERSONAL FITNESS IN YOUNG PEOPLE, AND IN OTHER WAYS TO PREPARE THEM TO MAKE ETHICAL CHOICES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. IT'S DESIGNED TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, MOTIVATION, AND SELF-ESTEEM. IT CAN HELP STUDENTS LEARN POSITIVE VALUES AND MAKE ETHICAL DECISIONS. CHARACTER BUILDING IS A LIFELONG PROCESS, WITH ROOTS FIRMLY PLANTED IN CHILDHOOD. LEARNING FOR LIFE HAS CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO FULFILL ITS MISSION. THERE WERE 25 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024.

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.