The Boy Scouts of America has established policies to protect both the unit and the good reputation of Scouting. The local council follows national guidelines and implements the policy of the Boy Scouts of America. 

1. No direct solicitation for funds by units is permitted. 
2. The unit committee is the custodian of all unit funds. 
3. All units submit the Unit Money-Earning Application, No. 34427, to the local council for approval. Such approval is contingent on prior approval of the unit committee and chartered organization. 
4. General guidelines for unit money-earning projects include the following:
   • No gambling or conflict with local ordinances. 
   • "Value received for money spent." 
   • Respect territorial rights of other units. 
   • No conflict with goods or services offered by established merchants or workmen. Date scheduled not to conflict with established dates of fundraising in the chartered organization, council, or community. 
   • The name and goodwill for the Boy Scouts of America must be protected and not used as a "front" for commercial interests. 
   • No contract signed by a unit may bind the Boy Scouts of America, either local or national. 
   • Unit money-earning projects can be planned to serve a dual purpose of conservation and money earning. Collection of aluminum, glass, paper, and scrap metal can be profitable when near a recycling facility. Units should be sure of a market before any collection. A collection must be well planned with adequate adult supervision and safety precautions

Project Types 

Unit fund-raising projects usually fall into one of four groups, as follows: 

1. Service projects - car wash; forestry projects; collection of paper, aluminum, scrap iron, plastic.
2. Activity involving parents - bake sale, supper, pancake breakfast 
3. Sale of tickets for council show, circus, or other events. 
4. Sale of commercial product - candy, Christmas trees, first-aid kits, popcorn, light bulbs. 
   

Before embarking on a money-earning project, the need for money should be evaluated against the probable net income from the effort. 

The annual Detroit Area Council Popcorn Sale is a very successful unit fundraising program that can maximize your efforts and can be very rewarding. 

Remember Standards Regarding Unit Fund-Raising Projects

Unit fund-raising projects play an important role in enabling units to obtain new equipment, go on camping trips, and participate in other activities and events. More important, the way a unit earns money is of great importance in the education of youth members in basic values. Usually, these projects fall into four groups:

• Service projects—car washes; forestry projects; the collection of paper, aluminum, scrap iron, and plastic
• Activities involving parents—bake sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners
• Sales of tickets for council shows or other events
• Sale of commercial product—candy, Christmas trees, first-aid kits, popcorn, or light bulbs

Your council and district finance committees should be responsible for keeping units informed of national policies concerning unit finance and for approving proposed unit money-earning projects like those listed above. In addition, be sure that the members of your unit committees understand their responsibility for guiding the finances of the unit. These individuals not only promote the proper use of the unit budget plan and administer unit funds, but they must also be familiar with unit money-earning policies.

The following BSA policies are designed to protect both the unit and the good reputation of Scouting:

1. No direct solicitation for funds by units is permitted.
2. The unit committee is the custodian of all funds.
3. All units must submit the Unit Money-Earning Application, No. 34427, to the local council for approval. Such approval is contingent on prior approval of the unit committee and chartered organization.
4. General guidelines for unit money-earning projects include
   • Do not gamble or conflict with local ordinances.
   • Ensure your project provides a value worthy of the money spent on the project.
   • Respect the territorial rights of other units.
   • Do not conflict with goods or services offered by established merchants or workmen. Do not schedule a project that conflicts with established dates of fund-raising in the chartered organization, council, or community.
   • Protect the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America.
   • Do not enter a contract that may bind the BSA, either locally or nationally.
   • Consider money-earning projects that serve a dual purpose of conservation and money earning. Collection of aluminum, glass, paper, and scrap metal can be profitable when conducted near a recycling facility. Units should be sure of a market before any collection. A collection must be well planned with adequate adult supervision and safety precautions.

On the back of the Unit Money-Earning Application, you will find a set of 10 questions for units to answer as they plan their project. If they answer "yes" to all the questions, it is likely the project meets Scouting's standards and will be approved.

10 Guides to Unit Money-Earning Projects

The way in which a unit earns money to carry out its program is of great importance in the education of youth members in basic values. Whenever your unit is planning a money-earning project, this checklist can serve as your guide. 

It will be helpful to you as you fill out the application. If your answer is yes to all the questions that follow, it is likely the project conforms with Scouting's standards and will be approved. 

1. Have your unit committee and chartered organization approved your project, including the dates and the methods? 

There should be a real need for raising money based on your unit's program. We should not engage in special money-earning projects merely because someone has offered us an attractive plan. It's important to remember that individual youth members are also expected to earn their own way. The need should be over and above normal budget items covered by dues. 

2. Do your plan and corresponding dates avoid competition with money-raising efforts and policies of other units, your chartered organization, your local council, and United Way? 

Check with your chartered organization representative to make certain that your chartered organization agrees on the dates and type of fund-raiser. The chartered organization representative can also clear the other dates by calling the council service center. 

3. Does your plan comply with local ordinances; is it free from any association with gambling; and is it consistent with the ideals and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America? 

Money-raising projects that include the sale of raffle tickets are in violation of this policy. This question can be answered only in terms of specific proposals. If there is any question of its suitability, contact your local council service center for assistance. 

4. If a commercial product is to be sold, will it be sold on its own merits and without reference to the needs of Scouting, either directly (during sales presentations) or indirectly? 

Teaching youth members to become self-reliant and to earn their own way is an important part of training our youth members. The official uniform is intended to be worn primarily for use in connection with Scouting activities. However, the executive board of the local council may authorize wearing the uniform in connection with council-sponsored product sales programs. 

5. If tickets are sold for any function other than a Scouting event, will they be sold by your youth members as individuals without depending on the goodwill of Scouting to make this sale possible? 

Tickets may be sold by youth members in uniform in the name of Scouting for such things as pack shows, troop suppers, circuses, expositions, and similar Scouting events. 

6. Even when sales are confined to parents and friends, will they get their money's worth from any product they purchase, function they attend, or services they receive from your unit? 

Here again is the principle of value received -- a sale standing on its own merit -- so that the recipients are not in any way subsidizing either Scouting or the member. Youth members must learn to pay their own way and to honestly earn the money to do it. You cannot permit anyone to use the good name of Scouting to sell a product. 

7. If a project is planned for a particular area, do you respect the right of other Scouting units in the same neighborhood?

It's a courtesy to check with neighboring units or the local council service center to coordinate the time of your project and to see that you aren't covering their territory. You unit commissioner or service team member can help you with this. 

8. Is it reasonably certain that people who need work or business will not lose it as a result of your unit's plan? 

Your unit should neither sell nor offer services that will damage someone's livelihood. If possible, check with the people who may be affected. 

9. Will your plan protect the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America and prevent it from being capitalized on by promoters of shows, benefits, or sales campaigns? 

Because of Scouting's good reputation, customers rarely question the quality or price of a product. Unchecked, the network of Scouting units could become a beehive of commercial interest to the neglect of character building and citizenship training. 

10. If any contracts are to be signed by your unit, will they be signed by an individual without reference to the Boy Scouts of America, and in no way appear to bind the local council, the Boy Scouts of America, or the chartered organization to any agreement of financial responsibility? 

Before any person in your unit signs a contract, they must make sure the venture is legitimate and worthy. If a contract is signed, the is personally responsible. They cannot sign on behalf of the local council or the Boy Scouts of America, nor may they bind the chartered organization without its written authorization. If you're not sure, check with your local council service center for help. 

Last Updated   March 05, 2007