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Boy Scouts of America

EIN 95-1727660 · Orange, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

IT IS THE MISSION OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 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. IT IS THE MISSION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY COUNCIL, INC. BSA (CONTINUED ON SCH. O)TO SERVE AN EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF YOUTH BY MARSHALING THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO DEVELOP TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY THROUGH ADVENTURE AND FUN ACTIVITIES THAT INSTILL VALUES AND TEACH LIFE SKILLS.

Income
$12.9 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
357
Volunteers
4,261
Highest pay
$293,261, 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    52 of 52 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
  1. $4.2 million spent. ACTIVITIES: THIS REPRESENTS A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS INCLUDING DISTRICT EVENTS SUCH AS CAMPOREE, CAMPORALL, TRAINING FOR ADULT LEADERS AND ADULT LEADER RECOGNITION DINNER. ADDITIONALLY, COUNCIL SPONSORED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED SUCH AS UNIVERISTY OF SCOUTING, COMMISSIONER COLLEGE, VENTURING ACTIVITIES, DAY OF SERVICE, HIGH ADVENTURE TRAINING, NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING, ROWING COMPETITIONS, WOODBADGE, SCOUT-O-RAMA, EAGLE SCOUT RECOGNITION AND COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER.
  2. $4.2 million spent. CAMPING: THIS REPRESENTS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT SCHOEPE SCOUT RESERVATION AT LOST VALLEY, OSO LAKE, NEWPORT SEA BASE AND THE IRVINE RANCH OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER. THOUSANDS OF YOUTH AND ADULTS USE OUR FACILITIES YEAR ROUND WHILE SPENDING TIME IN THE OUTDOORS AND LEARNING LIFELONG SKILLS. SPENDING TIME IN THE OUTDOORS IS A KEY TOOL TO DELIVERING THE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS YOUTH TO HAVE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES WITH ADULT MENTORS. OUR FACILITIES PROVIDE A UNIQUE AND SAFE ATMOSPHERE FOR OUR YOUTH.
  3. $2.4 million spent. DAY CAMPS: THE COUNCIL CONDUCTS A CUB SCOUT DAY CAMP IN THREE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE COUNTY. MORE THAN 600 FIRST-FIFTH GRADERS ATTEND THIS WEEK-LONG ACTIVITY WITH THEIR PARENTS AND LEADERS WHICH ARE HELD AT CITY OF COUNTY PARK FACILITIES. SCOUTS ARE ABLE TO PLAY GAMES, MAKE CRAFTS, AND LEARN THE SAFTEY RULES AND SKILLS TO SHOOT ARCHERY AND BB GUNS. DAY CAMP FOR MANY IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR SCOUTING YEAR. HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS HELP MAKE THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE.
  4. $562,037 spent. REVENUE INCLUDES COUNCIL PROGRAM FEES, COUNCIL INSURANCE FEES, TRADING POST, VENDOR REBATES

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.