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Boy Scouts of America

EIN 94-1156483 · Foster City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE ETHICAL CHOICES OVER THEIR LIFETIMES BY INSTILLING IN THEM THE VALUES OF THE SCOUT OATH AND LAW.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
16.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 36%
Employees
21
Volunteers
1,902
Highest pay
$267,297, scout executive (thru 9/24)

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: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% 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 25

    33 of 33 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. $2.9 million spent. PACIFIC SKYLINE COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, (THE "COUNCIL") PROMOTES CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY IN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THROUGH ITS MANY SCOUTING ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS TIGER CUBS AND CUB SCOUTS, SCOUTS BSA, VARSITY SCOUTING, AND THE VENTURING. THE COUNCIL OPERATES WITH THE TERRITORY COVERED BY THE CHARTER FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM. THE COUNCIL OPERATES IN SAN MATEO COUNTY AND NORTHERN SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND SERVES YOUTH FROM DALY CITY, SOUTH FRANCISCO, AND BRISBANE IN THE NORTH MOUNTAIN VIEW, LOS ALTOS, AND LOS ALTOS IN THE SOUTH, AND FROM THE BAY TO THE OCEAN ON THE PENINSULA IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA OF CALIFORNIA. THE COUNCIL OPERATES THREE CAMPING FACILITIES INCLUDING BOULDER CREEK SCOUT RESERVATION AND CUTTER SCOUT RESERVATION IN THE PRIME COASTAL REDWOODS OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS IN THE HIGH SIERRA. THE COUNCIL OPERATES CAMP OLJATO EACH SUMMER ON THE SHORES OF THE HUNTINGTON LAKE. ANNUALLY, OVER 4,500 YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN CUB SCOUTING, SCOUTS BSA, CO-ED VENTURING, AND CO-ED EXPLORING PROGRAMS IN THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE GUIDED AND INSPIRED BY 1,902 VOLUNTEERS.

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.