A gift to a local council, designated by the donor to the council endowment fund, qualifies for membership as a James E. West fellow. The gift must be in addition to— and not replace or diminish—the donor’s annual Friends of Scouting support. A minimum gift of $1000 in cash or marketable securities qualifies for the Bronze level membership. Donors may make cumulative gifts to reach Silver, Gold, and Diamond member levels. For example, 5 years of giving at the Bronze level would qualify for Silver level membership. Many individuals and corporations make these gifts either on behalf of someone else—such as in honor of an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, a retirement, a special accomplishment, or anniversary—or in memory of a special individual.
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. Established in 2011, SCS, replaces 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 have a broader definition than Scouting’s major gift recognition in the past. These gifts include an outright gift of $25,000 or more payable over five years, or a deferred gift of $100,000 or more to a local council, the Boy Scouts of America Foundation, high-adventure base or any Scouting entity for operating, capital, or endowment.
Major Gifts and Endowment
Annual gifts, product sales, and special events are important, but they only sustain a council’s current needs. For major growth, Scouting needs major gifts. They are critical to Scouting’s future, whether current or deferred, general or specific; for local, national, or international use; and for operating, capital, or endowment.
We believe that major gifts, those of $25,000 and more, are worthy of recognition at a national level. Besides monetary gifts, we also recognize gifts such as:
- Stocks, bonds, real estate, other non-cash assets, charitable income trusts and gift annuities
- Bequests, pledges, IRAs and insurance designations
- Donor-advised funds to benefit Scouting and even some organizations outside of Scouting such as universities, schools, medical charities and more
- New scholarships, camperships, or designated funds for specific councils, projects or geographical areas
- Gifts to support specific Scouting projects, funds, and initiatives such as innovation, STEM or conservation/ sustainability
For more information please click here.
For more information regarding a gift to the Baden-Powell Council, please contact Scout Executive Matthew Bull at (607) 648-7888 x105 or matthew.bull@scouting.org