Is Boy Scouts Of America Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size.
Consistent $0 reported liabilities, which is uncommon and may obscure financial obligations.
Significant year-over-year revenue and expense volatility, indicating unpredictable financial performance.
Lack of detailed expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data, hindering efficiency assessment.

Spending Breakdown

How Boy Scouts Of America allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

70%

Program Spending

Below average — room for improvement

20%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Boy Scouts Of America

Is Boy Scouts Of America a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Boy Scouts Of America (EIN: 16011388) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 60/100. 4 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Boy Scouts Of America a good charity to donate to?

Boy Scouts Of America has a Mission Score of 60/100. Revenue: $347K. Assets: $1.4M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Boy Scouts Of America?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Boy Scouts Of America is 16011388. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Boy Scouts Of America spend its money?

Boy Scouts Of America allocates 70% to programs, 20% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Boy Scouts Of America's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Boy Scouts Of America's tax-exempt status using EIN 16011388 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

The Boy Scouts of America (EIN: 16011388) exhibits inconsistent financial performance over the past decade, with significant fluctuations in both revenue and expenses. For instance, in 2021, revenue peaked at $677,113, while in 2016, it was a mere $40,130. This volatility makes it challenging to assess long-term financial stability. The organization consistently reports $0 in liabilities across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of its size and asset base, potentially indicating a simplified reporting structure or a specific type of entity. The absence of reported officer compensation in all available filings suggests either a volunteer-led executive structure or that compensation is reported under different categories not immediately visible in this summary, which could impact transparency. 

Spending efficiency is difficult to ascertain without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories. However, looking at the 2023 period, expenses were $13,181 against revenues of $104,743, indicating a surplus. Conversely, in 2022, expenses of $142,285 significantly outstripped revenues of $65,562, leading to a deficit. The organization's assets have remained relatively stable, hovering around $1.3 million to $1.6 million, despite these revenue and expense swings. The lack of detailed expense categorization in the provided data limits a thorough assessment of how efficiently funds are being allocated to its mission.

Verdict: Boy Scouts Of America shows mixed signals