Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Boy Scouts of America

EIN 86-0101295 · Scottsdale, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SCOUTING AMERICA 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. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)PROGRAMS OF SCOUTING AMERICA AND GRAND CANYON COUNCIL INCLUDE CUB SCOUTING, SCOUTS BSA, VENTURING, AND EXPLORING.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
151
Volunteers
2,888
Highest pay
$300,687, 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

Fair: 53 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 30 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

    50 of 50 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. $5.5 million spent. SCOUTING AMERICA AND THE GRAND CANYON COUNCIL OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CUB SCOUTING, SCOUTS BSA, VENTURING, AND EXPLORING. ALL PROGRAMS ARE GUIDED BY THE FOUR AIMS OF SCOUTING: CITIZENSHIP, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, PERSONAL FITNESS, AND LEADERSHIP.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)CUB SCOUTING IS DESIGNED FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE AND IS A FUN, FAMILY-ORIENTED PROGRAM. IT ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO GROW FROM THEIR BEST CURRENT SELVES INTO THEIR BEST FUTURE SELVES THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT. CUB SCOUTING IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT, HELPING TO BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES SEVEN CORE METHODS: LIVING THE IDEALS, BELONGING TO A DEN, ADVANCEMENT, FAMILY INVOLVEMENT, ENGAGING ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND WEARING THE UNIFORM.SCOUTS BSA SERVES BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 11 TO 17, OFFERING A STRUCTURED PROGRAM THAT HELPS YOUTH GROW INTO RESPONSIBLE AND CAPABLE LEADERS. THE METHODS USED TO ACHIEVE THE AIMS OF SCOUTING INCLUDE: LIVING THE IDEALS, PARTICIPATING IN PATROLS, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, ADVANCEMENT, ASSOCIATION WITH ADULT MENTORS, PERSONAL GROWTH, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND THE UNIFORM.VENTURING IS A CO-ED PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGES 14 TO 20. IT FOLLOWS THE A-L-P-S MODEL: ADVENTURE-PLANNING AND PARTICIPATING IN CREW-LED EXPERIENCES. LEADERSHIP-DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP THROUGH TRAINING, MENTORING, AND REAL-LIFE APPLICATION. PERSONAL GROWTH-SETTING AND WORKING TOWARD PERSONAL GOALS. SERVICE-ENGAGING IN MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE.EXPLORING ALSO SERVES YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AGES 14 TO 20, WITH A FOCUS ON CAREER EXPLORATION. THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES AND MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS GAIN VALUABLE INSIGHT AND TRAINING IN VARIOUS CAREER FIELDS TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR THE FUTURE.THE GRAND CANYON COUNCIL SUPPORTS THESE SCOUTING PROGRAMS BY WORKING WITH LOCAL CHARTER PARTNERS AND SCOUTING UNITS, OFFERING TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND ORGANIZING CAMPING AND OTHER YOUTH ACTIVITIES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS, IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUTH CAN PARTICIPATE, REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 7, 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.