Re: Accepting Cash Donations - Restricted Funds
David C. Ellis (DEllis@TRIBUNE.COM)
Wed, 26 Nov 1997 07:28:28 -0600
If you are concerned about council or district taking your funds consider asking
the donor to make a restricted donation.
This is a donation that is restricted for a specific use. "We give troop XXX
$500 for purchase of Camping Equipment" or "We give troop XXX $500 toward
purchase of a Troop Trailer". Hopefully this would keep council out of your
treasury since as a non profit we are required to honor restrictions placed on
donations by the donor. Like wise if you don't think you can honor the
restriction you should not accept the donation unless you can get the donor to
change the restriction.
This amount would have to be accounted as a restricted fund on your balance
sheet until such time that you purchase the item it was restricted for.
As a side note this year in my company's annual United Way drive we were able to
specify an agency that we wanted our donation to go to (there was a minimum
donation required for this option). I specified my Troop as the organization
that I wanted my donation funneled to. As a fall back in case United Way
wouldn't funnel the money to a specified unit I specified my local council. As
the Treasurer of my unit I will be able to see if this actually works. If this
works and this option is allowed by other companies this could be a nice way to
bring in extra cash for the troop.
If a unit has excess general reserves there is nothing stopping you from
donating to your council.
YIS
David C. Ellis
Troop 657/Pack457
Blackhawk Area Council
Cary, Illinois
dellis@tribune.com
The opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect the views of my scouting
units or my employer.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
