Friends of Scouting
Campaign
Friends of Scouting, or FOS, is an annual fundraising campaign of the Chester County Council that provides Scout families, individuals, community organizations and local businesses the opportunity to support local Scouting in the Chester County Council. This giving campaign accounts for 17% of the council’s annual budget.
Your contribution will make a positive difference by helping the Chester County Council to provide the service and support needed to assure the youth served receive quality Scouting programs. All gifts of support are greatly appreciated and are 100% tax deductible.
GIVE NOW!
What is a matching gift?
A matching gift is when a company, organization, or group you work for or belong to matches a percentage of your direct contribution to a non-profit organization, such as Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America. Some match 1:1 others 2:1.
Click here to search for your company’s matching gift program. This link will take you to the portal of participating companies where you can sign up to double your donation.
What is a volunteer grant?
Corporate volunteer grants, also known as Dollars for Doers grants, are programs established by companies to encourage their employees to get involved in community service. Through volunteer grant programs, a company gives money to non-profit organizations, such as Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America, based on how many hours its employees spend volunteering. Each company has slightly different guidelines, but there are a few common elements. An individual employee must meet a minimum number of volunteer hours in a year before a grant is disbursed.
Note: The time you already spend implementing Scouting programs, including outdoor programs and leadership, counts as volunteer hours at the unit, district, and council levels!
Click here to search for your company’s volunteer grant program. This link will take you to the portal of participating companies where you can sign up for a volunteer grant.
What is the money from a matching gift or volunteer grant used for?
Matching gifts and volunteer grants are intended for the parent organization, (Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America), to support the annual program, and we must substantiate our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization for the match or grant to be approved. Every gift contributed is recorded and the appropriate recognition and reporting requirements are followed.
For more information please email the Development Department [email protected] or call us 610-696-2900.
Gifts in Kind or “Project Sales” are an integral part of our annual Friends of Scouting campaign.
Gifts in Kind help…
- Identify special sources of income
- Interest new contributors in specific line items of the budget
- Upgrade existing contributions to new levels of giving
Listed below are three different types of projects.
- Gifts in Kind: Rather than a cash gift, specific budget items can be provided, such as office supplies (paper, computer supplies, envelopes, etc.) food items for camp (chicken, frozen foods, etc.), and other materials for camp (lumber, paint, etc.). Items contributed are given fair market value and charged to the proper budget account. Note: The item must be a budgeted expense for the current budget year.
- Donated Services: Rather than a cash gift, a needed service is provided, such as printing, vehicle maintenance, etc. Note: The item must be a budgeted expense for the current budget year.
- Cash Gifts: Cash that is given to support a specific line item in the current year’s budget. A donor may choose a budget item of particular interest to designate the funds such as recognition awards, school night materials, program helps, Eagle Scout award kits, Scoutreach scholarships etc.
If you or your company / employer would like to underwrite or provide a gift-in-kind or service, please contact your District Executive or Sarah Ponzio at 610-696-2900 x 121 or [email protected] for a detailed list of “project sales”.
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) provides companies with a 75% tax credit for donations to a non-profit scholarship or educational improvement organization. The tax credit increases to 90% if the company commits to making the same donations for two consecutive years. A business paying taxes in Pennsylvania can receive up to $750,000 in tax credits annually. More importantly, the EITC provides children and families with a choice in their education and a chance in life.
The Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America is an approved EITC non-profit under the Educational Improvement Organization side of the tax tax credit program supporting the Exploring Program of the BSA. Exploring prepares youth ages 14 to 20 with important life and career skills through immersive career experiences and mentorship provided by community and business leaders. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s EITC program here. Contact Kristin Conran, Director of Development, at 610-696-2900 ext. 121 if you would like more information regarding how to support Exploring in the Chester County Council through the EITC program. |
The Chester County Council is a member agency of the United Way of Chester County and Southern Chester County.
If your workplace supports the United Way, you may designate the Chester County Council as the recipient of all or part of your contribution by writing in the designation box “Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America”.
For the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, specify Code # 0009. In the state of Delaware, specify code #1883. We are also approved to receive designations from other regional and national United Way organization, as well as the Federated campaigns, run within government offices & military bases. In most cases, you will write in our name but it is best to ask your coordinator for any specific instructions to make sure the Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America receives the designation. Thank you!
For additional questions, call the Chester County Council at (610) 696-2900 x121
Background
BackgroundJames E. West was appointed to the position of Chief Scout Executive in 1910 by the founding leadership of Scouting in America. West worked with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, Daniel Carter Beard, Ernest T. Seton, and many interested community leaders to give direction to the infant program of Boy Scouts of America. On January 2, 1911, West and others formed the National Council, B.S.A. During that year the Scout Oath, Law, badges and fundamental policies were established. Under his leadership over the next 33 years, Scouting grew and matured into the program we recognize and enjoy today.
Purpose
The James E. West Fellowship Award is a recognition authorized by the National Council, B.S.A. and presented by the Chester County Council for individuals and chartered units who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the Chester County Council Endowment fund. This contribution is in addition to, and should not diminish or replace, the donor’s annual gift to the Chester County Council Friends of Scouting Campaign.
Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone — an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, Council, District or unit Scouter, or in memory of a departed loved one. There can be no finer honor paid to a Scouter than to be named a James E. West Fellow, indicating that the nominee is in the same spirit and dedication to Scouting as was James E. West. Those who are recognized by the James E. West Fellowship Award will cast their own “lengthened shadow” as they help ensure the Scouting legacy by helping create the financial stability needed to carry Scouting in the next century.
Recognition & Levels
Recipients receive a special certificate, uniform square knot and pin. Presentation of this award is coordinated with the donor through the Development Department of the Chester County Council, BSA.
| $1,000+ | Bronze Member | $10,000+ | Gold Member |
| $5,000+ | Silver Member | $15,000+ | Diamond Member |
Planning giving opportunities available to donors to support the Chester County Council, BSA include charitable bequests in a will or trust, gift annuities or pooled income gifts, or life insurance or retirement plan designations.
The Second Century Society, SCS, is the Boy Scouts of America’s national social organization of individuals, families, foundations, and corporations stewarded by key volunteers and implemented by the Boy Scouts of America National Foundation. is designed to replace the 1910 Society and Founders Circle as the way to recognize Scouting’s major donors at both the local and national levels.
Qualifying gifts to be recognized as a Second Century Society member include an outright gift of $25,000 or more payable over 5 years, or a deferred gift of $100,000 or more, to the Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America’s Operating, Capital or Endowment Funds.
Any donor who is recognized as a Second Century Society member is awarded a certificate and can wear the lapel pin indicating their level of support.
For more information about making a major gift or planned gift to the Chester County Council, BSA please contact Kristin Conran, Director of Development, at 610-696-2900 ext. 121
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America honors that special date by presenting the 1910 Society award to donors who make gifts of $25,000 or more to their council endowments. These gifts can be in the form of cash, securities, land, five-year pledges, or other property.
Do you work for a company or have access to items that could help us offset budgeted expenses? Check out the Project Sales Workbook!