Boy Scouts of America

Analysis

Boy Scouts of America is a registered charity in United States, based in Fort Snelling, MN. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1965, 61 years ago. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Boy Scouts of America reported income of $15.7m and spending of $16.5m, spending 105% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $18.7m to $15.7m (-16%), an average of -4.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 38%. Over the whole period it spent 111% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Boy Scouts of America sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within MN. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Association of Food and Drug Officials ($15.7m), San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium ($15.7m) and Merakey New Jersey Inc ($15.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 46% and program service revenue 42% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $631k (3.8% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $6.0m. At year end it held assets of $33.1m against liabilities of $1.9m, net assets of $31.2m. It reported 528 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.