Boy Scouts of America

Analysis

Boy Scouts of America is a registered charity in United States, based in Irving, TX. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in November 1965, 61 years ago. Its declared purposes cover youth development, which this site groups under children and youth development. 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 2022, Boy Scouts of America reported income of $266.9m and spending of $2.56bn, spending 958% of what it took in. Across the 4 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2022, income fell from $408.6m to $266.9m (-35%), an average of -13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income dropped by 33%. Over the whole period it spent 301% of the income it received.

Among 14,332 United States charities whose main cause is children and youth development and that reported income, Boy Scouts of America sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within TX. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Fellowship of Christian Athletes ($220.3m), Child Care Resource Center Inc ($489.3m) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America ($170.7m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2022, revenue came from contributions and grants 31% and program service revenue 50% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $3.3m (0.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $37.0m. It paid $13k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $902.6m against liabilities of $2.96bn, net assets of -$2.06bn. It reported 3,105 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.