Friends of Scouting

Friends of Scouting is an opportunity for families, friends, alumni, businesses and community organizations to support Scouting. The registration fee goes directly to the national office of the Boy Scouts of America. If a Scout unit collects dues, that money stays with the unit to help pay for supplies, advancements and other activities. None of that money helps the Sam Houston Area Council. In order to keep Scouting affordable for all youth, the council runs an annual Friends of Scouting fundraising campaign.

Friends of Scouting helps:

• Recruit and train youth and leaders
• Provide assistance to those in need
• Keep camps and activities affordable
• Enhance programing and facilities
• Provide communication tools for volunteer leaders

Friends of Scouting contributions provide approximately 24% of the support the council receives each year. The success of Scouting depends on those who support it. Please help Scouting provide the resources necessary to make sure every youth can benefit from Scouting’s fun, exciting, adventure-filled activities that foster character, honesty, respect and life-long values.

Unit Leaders: Each unit is requested to hold an FOS presentation at your unit’s biggest gathering (typically the blue and gold banquet or a troop court of honor) during the months of February through May. The presentation, which takes approximately seven minutes to conduct, informs parents and leaders of all council services, its financial needs and extends an opportunity to help fulfill the need. Please sign up for a presentation.

  Donate               Sign up for FOS presentation

Popcorn

Selling gourmet popcorn is a wonderful opportunity for units to earn funds to support their entire year of Scouting.

Why Sell?

• Increase your unit and council income – 70% stays in your unit and the local council.
• Pay for your entire Scouting program.
• Scouts learn life lessons by “earning their own way.”
• The prize program motivates Scouts.
• There are loads of incentives: $600 club and college scholarships.
• For additional revenue, sell online to friends and family out of town.

Unit Finance

Unit finance requires a bit more than keeping track of dues.  The Sam Houston Area Council provides a variety of unit finance resources:

• Funding Eagle Scout Projects
• Funding Your Unit
• State Sales Tax
• Tax ID Numbers
• Unit Accounts
• Unit Checking Accounts 
• Unit Finance Resources
• Unit Finance Frequently Asked Questions  

Unit Money-Earning Applications 

A unit must submit a Unit Money-Earning Application at least two weeks prior to committing to any fundraiser.  Applications are not required for SHAC popcorn sales or Scout Fair coupon book sales. Whenever your unit is planning a money-earning project, refer to the BSA's "Guide to Unit Money Earning Projects."  Understanding money earning guidelines will help you in the selection of your project. Money earning projects help Scouts learn to pay their way. All projects (except SHAC popcorn sales and Scout Fair coupon book sales) must be approved.

• Online application
• Paper application (send to moneymatters@shac.org)

Donate to Scouting

Help ensure the success of Scouting in the Sam Houston Area Council with meaningful gifts including donating cars, trucks, RVs, trailers, boats, motors, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities, uniforms, camping equipment, memorials and tributes, planned giving and yes, even services.

Many corporations match employee contributions made to the council. Some companies even make financial contributions for volunteering time to Scouting. Numerous local companies recognize volunteer time through the donation of cash grants to non-profits in which their employees volunteer. This means that for each hour of volunteer time, employers donate funds to support the Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Volunteer time is money with volunteer grants.

SHAC Special Events

The Sam Houston Area Council hosts seven special events throughout the year to fund various Scouting programs and to recognize the outstanding individuals that provide those programs including events such as the Sporting Clays Tournament, New Eagle Scout Reception, Houston Sports Breakfast and Corporate Dodge Ball Challenge.

Contacts

For additional information or questions about finance, contact the district finance chair or district executive.