Completed Unit Money Earning Applications should be sent to a member of the professional team that serves your unit or to helpdesk@colbsa.org for approval at least two weeks prior to committing to your fundraiser. Unit money earning applications don’t need to be submitted for council-sponsored unit fundraisers, like Popcorn Sales or the Hike-A-Thon.
Only the BSA national organization and local councils are authorized to solicit funds in the name of Scouting. Units are permitted to earn money by participating in council-sponsored fundraising activities such as the Popcorn Sale and through the sale of products on their own such as candy bars, holiday wreaths and trees, and other direct sales.
Units can also deliver a service and charge a fee. Examples include a car wash, or a unit that cleaned up after a community festival, conducted by their charter organization, and collected all of the beverage cans and then turned them in for the deposit amount.
It’s not always easy to understand federal regulations and BSA policies when it comes to managing funds as a Scouting unit, but there are some resources available to help your unit navigate the rules and ensure compliance:
Here are a few guiding rules that all Scout leaders need to understand and follow (for more details, please consult the documents above):
– Except for council-sponsored product sales (popcorn or Entertainment® sales), all other fundraising projects require the submission of the Unit Money-Earning Application Form (No. 34427) to a member of the professional team via email or in-person, or sent to helpdesk@colbsa.org. Leaders should be familiar with the guidelines listed on the back of the form. To ensure compliance, all unit fundraisers must obtain written approval from the local council no less than 14 days before committing the fundraising activity.
– Direct solicitation by leaders or youth members of cash donations from community businesses, individuals, service organizations, etc., are not allowed. Units raise their needed funds through approved product sales and fundraising events, payments from member dues, and family support.
Another very important guideline for units: Units should have a checking account and all unit funds should be deposited into that account. All checks written from the unit checking account should require two signatures.
If you have any questions, please email Greg Osborn, COO, or call him at 484-654-9239.
