If your unit is planning a fundraiser (except for popcorn sales), you need to submit a "Unit Money Earning Application" (No. 34427) to the Council Service Center at least two weeks prior to your fundraiser. To download a copy of the Unit Money-Earning Application, go to the council's Forms Download Site.

Remember Standards Regarding Unit Fund-Raising Projects

Unit fund-raising projects play an important role in enabling units to obtain new equipment, go on camping trips, and participate in other activities and events. More important, the way a unit earns money is of great importance in the education of youth members in basic values. Usually, these projects fall into four groups:

• Service projects—car washes; forestry projects; the collection of paper, aluminum, scrap iron, and plastic
• Activities involving parents—bake sales, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners
• Sales of tickets for council shows or other events
• Sale of commercial product—candy, Christmas trees, first-aid kits, popcorn, or light bulbs

Your council and district finance committees should be responsible for keeping units informed of national policies concerning unit finance and for approving proposed unit money-earning projects like those listed above. In addition, be sure that the members of your unit committees understand their responsibility for guiding the finances of the unit. These individuals not only promote the proper use of the unit budget plan and administer unit funds, but they must also be familiar with unit money-earning policies.

The following BSA policies are designed to protect both the unit and the good reputation of Scouting:

1. No direct solicitation for funds by units is permitted.
2. The unit committee is the custodian of all funds.
3. All units must submit the Unit Money-Earning Application, No. 34427, to the local council for approval. Such approval is contingent on prior approval of the unit committee and chartered organization.
4. General guidelines for unit money-earning projects include
   • Do not gamble or conflict with local ordinances.
   • Ensure your project provides a value worthy of the money spent on the project.
   • Respect the territorial rights of other units.
   • Do not conflict with goods or services offered by established merchants or workmen. Do not schedule a project that conflicts with established dates of fund-raising in the chartered organization, council, or community.
   • Protect the name and goodwill of the Boy Scouts of America.
   • Do not enter a contract that may bind the BSA, either locally or nationally.
   • Consider money-earning projects that serve a dual purpose of conservation and money earning. Collection of aluminum, glass, paper, and scrap metal can be profitable when conducted near a recycling facility. Units should be sure of a market before any collection. A collection must be well planned with adequate adult supervision and safety precautions.

On the back of the Unit Money-Earning Application, you will find a set of 10 questions for units to answer as they plan their project. If they answer "yes" to all the questions, it is likely the project meets Scouting's standards and will be approved.

The guidelines for unit fundraisers are as follows: 1. Local approval 2. Dates to avoid 3. Local ordinances 4. Commercial products 5. Selling tickets 6. Money's worth 7. Other Scout units 8. Other business 9. Good name of Scouting 10. Signing contracts.

	1. Have your unit committee and chartering organization approved your project, including the dates and the methods?
	There should be a real need for raising money based on your unit's program. We should not engage in special money-earning projects merely because someone has offered us an attractive plan.

	2. Do your plan and corresponding dates avoid competition with money-raising efforts and policies of other units, your chartered organization, your local council and United Way?
	Check with your chartered organization representative to make certain that your chartered organization agrees on the dates and type of fundraiser.

	3. Does your plan comply with local ordinances: is it free from any association with gambling: and is it consistent with the ideals and purposes of the Boy Scouts of America?
	Money-raising projects that include the sale of raffle tickets are in violation of this policy.

	4. If a commercial product is to be sold, will it be sold on its own merits and without reference to the needs of Scouting, either directly (during sales presentation) or indirectly?
	Teaching youth members to become self-reliant and to earn their own way is an important part of training our youth members. The official uniform is intended to be worn primarily for use in connection with Scouting activities. However, the executive board of the local council may authorize wearing the uniform in connection with council-sponsored products sales programs.

	5. If tickets are sold for any function other than a Scouting event, will they be sold by your youth members as individuals without depending on the good will of Scouting to make this sale possible?
	Tickets may be sold by youth members in uniform in the name of Scouting for such things as pack shows, troop suppers, circuses, expositions and similar Scouting events.

	6. Even when sales are confined to parents and friends, will they get their money's worth from any product they purchase, function they attend or services they receive from your unit?
	Here again is the principle of value received -- a sale standing on its own merit -- so that the recipients are not in any way subsidizing either Scouting or the member.

	7. If a project is planned for a particular area, do you respect the rights of other Scouting units in the same neighborhood?
	It's a courtesy to check with neighboring units or the local council service center to coordinate the time of your project and to see that you are not covering their territory.

	8. It is reasonably certain that people who need work or business will not lose it as a result of your unit's plan?
	Your unit should neither sell nor offer services that will damage someone's lively-hood.

	9. Will your plan protect the name and good will of the Boy Scouts of America and prevent it from being capitalized on by promoters of shows, benefits or sales campaigns?
	Because of Scouting's good reputation, customers rarely question the quality or price of a product. Unchecked, the network of Scouting units could become a beehive of commercial interest to the neglect of character building and citizenship training.

	10. If any contracts are to be signed by your unit, will they be signed by an individual without reference to the Boy scouts of America, and in no way appear to bind the local council, the Boy Scouts of America or the chartered organization to any agreement of financial responsibility?
	Before any person in your unit signs a contract, he must make sure the venture is legitimate and worthy. If a contract is signed, he is personally responsible. He cannot sign on behalf of the local council or the Boy Scouts of America, or may he bind the chartered organization without its written authorization.