Boy Scouts of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE COUNCIL SERVES OTHERS AND IN OTHER WAYS, INSTILLS VALUES IN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT BETTER PREPARES YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIME BY INSTILLING THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW.
- Income
- $3.1 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 11.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 34%
- Employees
- 76
- Volunteers
- 1,531
- Highest pay
- $94,450, scout executive/ceo - nonv
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: 67 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 2547 of 47 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $2.3 million spent. THE NORTHERN LIGHTS COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO OUR MISSION OF PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIME BY INSTILLING IN THEM VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW. THIS MISSION IS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH FIVE ELEMENTS THAT ENCOMPASS THE FOUNDATION OF SCOUTING, LEADERSHIP, ACHIEVEMENT, CHARACTER, SERVICE AND OUTDOORS. THE PROGRAMS OF SCOUTING INCLUDE; CUB SCOUTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE FIFTH GRADE, SCOUTS BSA FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN 14 THROUGH 17 YEARS OF AGE, AND VENTURING FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN 14 THROUGH 20 YEARS OF AGE. THE NORTHERN LIGHTS COUNCIL, B.S.A.'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE METHOD FOR DELIVERING THESE PROGRAMS IS THROUGH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDE DAY CAMPS, RESIDENT CAMPS, COUNCIL ORGANIZED FAMILY CAMPS, CAMPOREES, SUMMER CAMPS, NATIONAL JAMBOREES AND HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPING. A SECOND METHOD FOR ACHIEVING THE MISSION IS THROUGH THE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION YOUTH RECEIVE FROM ACHIEVEMENT OF SKILLS, PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS.OUR COUNCIL PROVIDES SERVICE TO 78 COUNTIES IN 4 STATES. CURRENTLY WE HAVE 4,817 YOUTH MEMBERS AND 1,747 ADULT VOLUNTEER LEADERS IN OUR COUNCIL. OVER 5,500 YOUTH WERE SERVED THROUGHOUT 2024. ANY YOUTH OR LEADER IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE SCOUTING PROGRAM IF THEY ARE WILLING TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE BSA'S DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE, THE POLICIES AND BYLAWS OF THE BOY SCOUTS, AND THE AGE/GRADE JOINING REQUIREMENTS.
- $842,034 spent. CAMP OPERATIONS - CAMPS ARE USED BY SCOUTS AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTDOOR CAMPING ACTIVITIES, TRAINING COURSES, CONFERENCES, AND MEETINGS. CAMP IS OUR OUTDOOR CLASSROOM TO TEACH SKILLS, BUILD CHARACTER, PROMOTE GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND EARN MERIT BADGES BASED ON LIFE LESSONS, SKILLS, HOBBIES AND OCCUPATIONS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.