FunkyChikin

37 minutes ago, scoutldr said:

BSA and Councils have rules about Unit Fundraising.  We were always forbidden from soliciting corporate donations, because that is the job of the Professionals and is the Council tier of Friends of Scouting.  Whatever your fundraising idea is, you are required to complete and submit the Unit Fundraising Application and have your proposal approved by the Scout Executive.  Council would prefer you stick to the official popcorn campaign, since they get a cut.

We are aware of those rules and regulations and are not trying to solicit gifts from corporations. I didn’t mean for that to be implied at all. Popcorn fundraisers don’t always raise enough to cover your expenses through the year, and older units have shared their success stories with other fundraising opportunities with us. We can’t even get our CO to work with us on a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner.  And yes, we have expressed our various complaints with them. 

The BSA fiscal policies state units should not file for their own tax exempt status, but then in those same policies it talks about a small few who have their own status and need to file forms with the IRS each year. Reading those policies sometimes sounds like circular logic, and several people I know feel that they need to be more clear and provide direction for units who need to do additional fundraising outside of popcorn and dues, and who aren’t given tax exempt status by their CO. 

1 hour ago, ItsBrian said:

I wouldn’t switch COs just because of that in my opinion. Have you tried talking to your COR? How about the town? The mayor? 

It’s not the only reason we considered changing. They make us feel like we are a burden to them. 

1 hour ago, ItsBrian said:

Amazon smile isn’t worth it from what I’ve read.

Anyway, it depends on your CO. Mine is a American Legion, which let’s us use their tax number. That’s how I got most of my Eagle Scout Project funded, corporate donations. 

We have been checking out several local fundraising opportunities in addition to Amazon Smile, but they all want our EIN to show tax exempt. Our CO will not work with us at all. I know we can’t be the only pack that has encountered issues like this. We are considering switching CO’s. 

Our Cub Scout Pack is also sponsored through a fire department. We have run into problems with fundraising. There are lots of opportunities out there, but a lot of them also want us to have 501 c (3) status. 

Our CO won’t extend their tax exempt status to our individual EIN. 

How are some packs out there raising funds through Amazon Smile??? That requires a 501c(3) status as well.