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Passes our checks

Boy Scouts of America

EIN 98-0000121 · Apo, AE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 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.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 55%
Employees
67
Volunteers
1,200
Highest pay
$255,426, scout executive/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 58 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    37 of 38 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 2025, 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. $1.4 million spent. TRANSATLANTIC COUNCIL (The Council or TAC) SERVES OVER 4100 YOUTH AND 1,200 volunteers ACTIVE IN CUB SCOUTING, SCOUTS BSA and VENTURING scouting programs. TAC SUPPORTS US MILITARY AND EXPATRIATE FAMILIES LIVING OVERSEAS IN EUROPE, AFRICA, the MIDDLE EAST, AND CENTRAL ASIA. The council's partnerships with local chartered organizations deliver these scouting programs, engaging U.S. MILITARY COMMANDS, INTERNATIONAL AND AMERICAN SCHOOLS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. UNique CAMP EXPERIENCES are normally offered through the programs of CAMP ALPINE IN KANDERSTEG, SWITZERLAND; CAMP AVANTURA IN SAVUDRIJA, Croatia; AND CAMP KENYA in Sagana, KENYA. YOUTH MEMBERS ALSO EXPERIENCE HIGH ADVENTURE programs AT THE PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH IN NEW MEXICO, the SUMMIT BECHTEL RESERVE IN WEST VIRGINIA, the NORTHERN TIER IN northern MINNESOTA northwest ontario and Northeast manitoba, and the FLORIDA SEA BASE IN the Florida keys, As well as the national and WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREES. The council is administratively subdivided into SIX DISTRICTS that coordinate and provide ADULT leader TRAINING, SCOUT CAMPOREES, CUB SCOUT DAY CAMPS, ORDER OF THE ARROW EVENTS and other activities. As a founding member of Intercamp, the Council collaborates with nine or more other Scout associations each year to conduct a weekend activity over the the Whitsun weekend. This international program develops cultural goodwill and friendship - guided by scouting principles that support teamwork and understanding. Training opportunities provided by the Council include Scouters Annual conference, Wood badge training for adults, national camping school for key camp leaders and national youth leadership training. The council periodically hosts a signature Normandy Camporee, which provides recognition and reflection about the 1944 D-Day landings as messengers of peace. Since its inception in 1994,over 40,000 youth and leaders from Scouting America and European scouting associations have taken part in this event. In recognition of the council's efforts, the republic of France has designated the council as "custodians of Omaha Beach".

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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.

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