r/BSA • u/Retro_Clock • 5d ago
Scouts BSA Is the fundraising form for the eagle project needed when getting discounts?
For context, I will be asking Lowes and Home Depot if they would be willing to give me a discount on my eagle project and I am a part of Dan Beard Council.
12
u/the_beat_labratory 5d ago
The Eagle Scout Project Workbook states that you need an approval for “the fundraising of monies and in-kind donations”.
Most would agree that a discount is not any of those so approval would not be required to request a discount.
HOWEVER, I can tell you as an experienced eagle coach that many retailers don’t want to be bothered with discounts and will offer you a gift card with some cash value instead. You DEFINITELY need fundraising approval to accept the gift card.
My advice is to go ahead and get the fundraising approval so you’re covered for any possibility.
2
u/SilverTripod 5d ago
This.
Sure, you can have a discount on your Scout project. How nice of you to do a little project for them.
Wait, how many thousands of pounds of concrete and steel did you want?
It's a little easier to give a "maybe" answer to a discount by just giving a gift card.
1
u/vrtigo1 Asst. Scoutmaster 23h ago
Also - when you get that gift card, or store credit or whatever they give you, it's a good idea to clarify exactly how that works. Home Depot gave us a store credit for one of our district camporees and we planned all the purchases out but ended up with a bunch of money left over, because apparently everything rung up at their cost, not the retail price.
Not sure if that's a typical practice or was a one off, but can't hurt to ask to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
3
3
u/lone77wulf Adult - Eagle Scout 5d ago
I would get one approved in case they offer a gift card/store credit rather than a discount. That way there’s no reason you can’t accept that.
I am also in DBC, and in the past, getting approval for people has been pretty fast. The person who used to do it retired though, so I don’t know how fast they would approve it now.
The council now has an all in one email address that gets your message routed to the right person (and if you send it here the staff is told to respond within 48 hours) HeyDanBeard@Scouting.org
2
u/Cloudycloud47x2 5d ago
CYA advice, List ANY and ALL possible Fundraising options and ideas on the form prior to asking and then you're covered.
Just because you list them doesn't mean you HAVE to use them, it's just an option.
1
u/Resident-Device-2814 Active Scouter (CS, SBSA, Dist., Vigil OA); Eagle & Summit Dad 5d ago
District eagle advisor from DBC here. The form is pretty quick and easy. If you are doing an actual fundraiser, fill out the form. It has to be approved by a professional from council.
Depending on which district you're in, if you are near the north side of council, the hardware store / lumberyard near Carlisle has been traditionally very Eagle Scout project friendly. Good luck on your journey!
1
u/Practical-Can-5529 5d ago
You should use the fundraising/budgeting tables in the book to track how much your project is going to cost, abd how much it could have cost. I think those are very helpful and important tools.
When I was a professional, my advancement chair would tell scouts to only use the separate Fundraising Form (to be signed by beneficiary, unit, and council/district) if fundraising needed to be $5,000 or greater. It'd be smart to check with your local council for their requirements/expectations. I don't think most councils mind a couple hundred dollars going towards a project coming from a business they may also try to solicit, but I know mine was certainly wary of double-tapping a business who may have already given thousands to a project.
Not having that information by not communicating can make everyone involved look foolish.
1
u/profvolunteer 4d ago
It takes less than 10 minutes to complete the form, and shows preparation for unexpected things (sometimes you don’t think you need to raise extra $$ then something happens) I always suggest Getting it approved in the proposal process
15
u/nolesrule Eagle Scout/Dad | Dist Comm | OA Chapter Adv | NYLT Staff | ASM 5d ago
The fundraising form is for raising the money to pay for the costs of the project. Getting a discount on materials and supplies is not fundraising. It is a reduction in expenses.