[TIDEWATER COUNCIL]

Give to Scouting so that Scouting can continue it's fine tradition of serving youth.

Donate
some of the ways you can help fund the tidewater council, boy scouts of america
Thank you for your interest in how the Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America funds its many programs, camps and leader training. There are four ways our youth programs are funded:
  • Annual Giving - Our "Friends of Scouting" Campaign
  • Endowment - Includes wills, estate planning, the James E. West fund
  • Capital Gifts - Support our camps and Scout Service Center
  • Gift-In-Kind - Donation of items or services
  • Sale of Patches - Special collectors patches.

FRIENDS OF SCOUTING (ANNUAL GIVING)
The friends of Scouting campaign enables the Tidewater Council to provide programs and services to the youth of the area. Many young people may not get the chance to have a hands-on Scouting experience without the generosity of corporations, community members and families of current Scouts.

Donations made during the annual campaign are used to maintain camps and their camp staff, provide training materials for the thousands of volunteers throughout the Council, maintain liability insurance to protect our Scouts and their leaders and fund other programs including the operations of seven districts throughout our area. 

To learn more about the Friends of Scouting campaign and to download a donor form please click here.

The James E. West Fellowship Award (endowment)
The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to their local council endowment fund. This contribution is in addition to and does not diminish or replace the donor's annual gift to the Council's Friends of Scouting Campaign. Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone. The award is presented with a certificate, a lapel pin, and a square knot for uniform wear. Their name will be added to the James E. West wall in the Durham Scout Center. The James E. West Award application can be downloaded here.

James E. West donors as of December 2007

Tribute Fund (endowment)
Many of our friends, in seeking a way to remember or recognize others, desire an expression of thoughtfulness in the way of a tribute. The Tidewater Council has a Scout Tribute Fund wherein you may send your contribution in any amount to honor someone on a birthday, special occasion, anniversary, express get well wishes, or in memory of someone deceased.

Donations may be made in any amount and are invested in the Council Endowment Fund. These gifts remain in perpetuity to ensure that Scouting is available for the youth of our future generations. Donations to the Scout Tribute Fund are tax deductible.

Scout Tribute Fund Form

All contributions will be acknowledged and shall be placed on the council web site for all to view for a period of no less than one year.  The process of posting them on the web site will start in the year 2007.

To see the list of tributes click here.

Heritage society (endowment)
The purpose of the Heritage Society is to recognize those individuals that have made provisions in their estates or have made a current contribution to the Tidewater Council Endowment Fund at the minimum level of $5,000. Gold Members have completed their pledges while Silver Members have made provisions in their estates.

In 1946, Mrs. David H. Goodman gave a $1,000 to the Tidewater Council because she had a strong desire to see our Council prosper well into the future. This money was not, however, put in the trust fund because camp needed the money far more than the other operations of the Council at that time. She agreed and the money went to support the facilities at a camp then known as Panther Landing.

During the late 1940’s the Tidewater Council Executive Board talked about the establishment of a trust fund for the future of Scouting. In 1950 that fund was created. Today, the fund has about $600,000. Only the income and not the principal of this fund can be used for the purposes of Scouting.

A contribution today of $3,140.00 at a simple interest rate of 5% will yield $157.00. Currently, it takes $157 to deliver a program of Scouting to one youth for one year.

Today, and not tomorrow, is the time to do something about insuring the future of our Scouting program. The National Council, Boy Scouts of America has encouraged local Councils such as our Tidewater Council to remain a strong financial entity by increasing the size of our Endowment Fund. In order to reach the goal of approximately 12% of our operating funds being derived as Endowment income, we must raise a total fund worth $4,320,000 assuming a 5% annual return on investments. 

Today we enjoy the Scouting program in the Tidewater Council because many individuals have given their time, energy and talents to Scouting. The power of the Endowment Fund is the power to know that Scouting will remain firmly rooted within our community. The Tidewater Council is producing Eagle Scouts at the rate of about 1,000 per every ten years. As of December 31, 2007, over 5,000 young men have earned that right to be known as Eagle Scouts. Thousands of other youth have taken home the skills and the memories to guide them through their lives. What value can be placed on a program that generates so many community leaders?

The list of society members can be found here.

CAPITAL GIFTS
The Tidewater Council is currently putting together a major list of projects that will enhance the program of Scouting for the youth of our area.  The list once it is approved by the Tidewater Council's Executive Board, shall include naming opportunities and shall be made available so that you can help with the program of Scouting.


CAMPING ENDOWMENT FUND
It has been determined that a need of some 10 million dollars is necessary to fund the operations, ensure the continued existence, and to improve the camping program of the Tidewater Council.  This is a separate permanent fund within the Tidewater Council's trust fund.  All funds received here will be used for the camping program of the Tidewater Council.

GIFTS IN KIND...
A gift in kind is an opportunity for donors to contribute items beyond cash that can be used in the Scouting program.  There is a great need for all types of materials and equipment.  Go here for a current list of materials needed.  For an item to be tax deductible, it must be in good condition, and be accepted by the Tidewater Council in writing. 

Find a list of items here.

Sales of patches...recognition patches
The Tidewater Council sells patches that are known as Council Shoulder Strips.  These patches are mainly a form of recognition and can be purchased directly from the Council Scout Shop.  You can also order them through the mail. 

Click here for recognition patches.

 

BSA
 Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
 Serving the youth of Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina
1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Office: 757-497-2688 | Fax: 757-473-3305 | More contact info

Please note that the council specifically prohibits any individual from harvesting emails and sending unrelated and unnecessary communications to individuals listed on the Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America site without their expressed and written approval. This is not only un-Scout-like but also illegal.