Boy Scouts of America
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The corporation shall promote, within the territory covered by the charter from time to time granted it by the Boy Scouts of America and in accordance with the Congressional Charter, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, the Scouting program of promoting the ability of boys and young men and women to do things for themselves and others, training them in Scoutcraft, and teaching them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using the methods which are now in common use by the Boy Scouts of America.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 704
- Highest pay
- $156,261, 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
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 2525 of 25 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 (1)
- $1.3 million spent. THE EAST TEXAS AREA COUNCIL SERVES OVER 3,500 YOUTH AND 1,000 ADULT MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN 17 EAST TEXAS COUNTIES. THE MISSION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL AND MORAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIME BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW.CUB SCOUTS IS A FAMILY ORIENTED, FUN AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH IN GRADES K-5.SCOUTS BSA PROGRAM IS FOR 11-17 YEAR OLDS WHO STEP INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WITH GUIDANCE FROM TRAINED LEADERS. VENTURING PROGRAM IS A HIGH ADVENTURE AND THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM COMBINED TO TEACH 14-20 YEAR OLD BOYS AND GIRLS CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP.EXPLORING PROGRAM IS A HANDS ON CAREER EXPERIENCES WITH POSITIVE, PROFESSIONAL ADULT LEADERS.THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EDUCATED OVER 650 SCOUTS AS PART OF OUR WEEK-LONG SUMMER AND "TURKEY" CAMPS IN OUR COUNCIL AND ANOTHER 800 ELSEWHERE.2024 SAW 73 SCOUTS EARN THE BSAS HIGHEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS RANK: EAGLE SCOUT.
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.