Funding Eagle Project

[mdutch]

I am working on planning my eagle project. I have found funding for the majority of the project ($650 out of $725). Does anyone see a problem in me self-funding (me and my parents) the remainder? I realize that what matters is if the troop/district approves it, but does anybody think I will run into problems b/c of that?

[scoutldr]

I sit on Eagle Boards, and at least in my District, it would not be a problem. You might want to be prepared to answer a question about it (what was the reason that your fundraising fell short?) and what would you do differently. But it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Good luck!

[Nike]

I sat on an Eagle Board where the entire project was funded by Dad, and it was a hefty chunk of change. I truly regret not asking if the Scout attempted to fund raise with community and civic groups in the area, however we got down in the weeds about technical issues and the absolute lack of proofreading in the Eagle Workbook. I almost got out the red pen. (We use a Word file format.)

 

If you've beaten the bushes dry, don't worry about it. You can always work it off with yardwork, babysitting, or some other way to "pay back" your parents, and hearing that would impress me as an Eagle Board member.

 

PS: Proofread that workbook or you will drive at least one person on your board absolutely over the edge. This is your best work as a Scout.

[Beavah]

Yah, meamemg. Around here, the norm is "it's OK for parents to contribute approximately the same amount in money and labor as other helpers/donors". Where board members start lookin' at things funny is when the parent contribution gets really large compared to other workers and contributors.

 

If you're funding it out of your personal pocket, I can't imagine anybody saying anything other than "thank you". Dat's how most of scoutin' works, eh? All the adult leaders you know probably do the same thing - funding the last 10% of what a troop needs out of their own pocket.

 

So I'd say "should be no problem at all".

 

Now be sure to follow everybody else's advice and make your project proposal the most thorough, well-written, and grammatically correct thing you've ever done. Proofread! Remember, those board members don't know you personally, eh? The only way they have of knowin' whether you can handle it is by how well you present yourself.

[OldGreyEagle]

The funding of an Eagle project is the scouts' choice. If Dad covers it all or the family contributes nothing is of no consequence to the project. It's not where the funds come from that make an Eagle Project, its the Leadership provided by the Eagle candidate in the planning and execution of the project

[scoutingagain]

"The funding of an Eagle project is the scouts' choice. "

 

True, but I was under the impression that any fundraising for an Eagle Project should follow the basic guidelines for scout fundraising activities. That means providing something of value in return, like a car wash, pancake breakfast, spaghetti dinner etc. Raffles and direct solicitations for donations are a no no. At least that's how it was explained at our Life to Eagle presentation by our District Advancement chair.

 

However, there is no requirement that fundraising needs to be done at all. That seems to be an ongoing myth. If the institution benefiting from the project has sufficient funds for materials, and the scout plans, organizes and demonstrates leadership in the completion of the project, that's fine.

 

SA

[Stosh]

Over the past 15 years that I have been a part of the troop, out of all the Eagle scouts we have produced, no one ever raised even $1 for a project. There are plenty of project out there that people need done that cost the project nothing other than what the sponsor provides. Some of the projects that have been done are: benches along a trails, observation decks for wild life refuge, park pavilions, picnic gazebo, DNR surveys, abandoned nature trail restoration, falconry nests, VA survey of military cemetery markers, etc. These are not little projects just to get the boy the experience, these are adult level projects that require some heavy-duty leadership, but no fund-raising for the boys.

 

There are a ton of projects out there needing organization and elbow grease that people are willing to provide whatever it takes to make it happen.

 

Stosh

[donnie_lynn]

I am also working on my Eagle project, and have a question about fund raising. I am going to send out donation letters to grandparents and friends of the family, but if that doesnt bring in the needed amount, what else can i do to raise money?

[John-in-KC]

Welcome to the Forum. First, let's ask what your project is, then what is your Bill of Materials?

 

ON THE ASSUMPTION your project involves some form of construction, have you thought of asking your Scoutmaster to help you identify Scouters who are also general or specialist contractors?