Local council endowments are important because they blend the visions of their donors with the needs and objectives of Scouting. One of the exciting things about an endowment gift is the bond, the relationship that is created between the donor and the Council.

Minimum support levels for various types of endowments are necessary to guarantee that income is adequate to achieve the donor's intent -- now and in the future. No list can encompass all possibilities, but the following categories represent a starting point in the endowment process. .

For more information about Scouting endowment funds, please contact Paul Myers, Scout Executive.

Suggested Types of Local Council Endowment Opportunities

Endowed Council Positions Endowment Category Minimum Gift.

Finance Director/Development Director $1,000,000
District Executive/Exploring Executive $750,000
Endowed Campership Fund $100,000
Center for Scouting Fund $500,000
American Indian District Executive $750,000

Local Council donors can make their endowment gift in a number of ways and using a variety of gift techniques. It can always be made directly to a local council endowment fund during life. If the gift is one of cash, marketable securities or similar types of property, the donor may qualify for membership either in the James E. West Fellowship, the 1910 Society, or the Founders Circle, depending on the size of the gift. Others choose to endow a particular Council staff position or program, an endowment option previously used only by colleges and universities. Also, many donors designate their council endowment fund as beneficiary of their estate through their will, or as remainder beneficiary of their planned gifts.

For example, many donors receive a charitable gift annuity from Scouting and, by doing so, receive quarterly annuity payments from the BSA for the rest of their lifetimes. However, they choose a local council endowment fund to receive the gift when the annuity ends, creating a perpetual source of support for the council in the name of the donor or other loved one. Please contact your local council to discuss the many exciting and innovative ways that you can create an endowment gift to support Scouting in your community.

Income Producing Gift Plans

Unitrust
Annuity Trust
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Pooled Income Fund
BSA Gift Annuity

Several gift plans enable you to make a gift to Scouting while providing income for yourself or others. You also may increase your spendable income through tax benefits and diversification of assets. These plans, each offering distinct advantages, allow you to make your gifts in ways that will best meet your personal needs and achieve your financial goals.

All the plans offer current income tax deductions, and all provide the opportunity to avoid or reduce capital gains tax if appreciated property is used to make the gift (even under the new Tax Act of 1997). Many planned gifts will also help you reduce or eliminate gift and estate taxes. With many of the plans, the remainder of your gift is available to the local council only after the income payment period that you select has ended. You also designate how the Council will ultimately use this gift.

Although most donors create these gift plans during their lifetime, they can also be established through your will. These testamentary gifts may greatly reduce estate taxes, and accomplish other personal and financial goals, such as passing ownership of business assets to other family members at significant tax savings.

Careful planning with the council, our Regional Endowment Counsel, and your financial advisers is important in evaluating the timing and suitability of these plans for your situation. We would be pleased to provide you details of the personal benefits and financial implications of either a lifetime or testamentary gift using any of the income-producing plans. Just contact your local council.