The Founders Circle

The Founders Circle—For Gifts to Operating, Capital, and/or Endowment Funds

The Founders Circle is intended to recognize deferred gifts designated for council operating, capital, or endowment funds or unrestricted gifts to the council operating fund. With deferred giving (also called planned giving) so widely and effectively used by so many donors, the BSA wants to recognize the importance of such major gifts. Donors are recognized for gift commitments of $100,000 or more. Unlike the other major gift recognition awards, a donor may qualify for membership with gifts made through:

Charitable bequests in a will or codicil
Charitable trusts, such as unitrusts, annuity trusts, and lead trusts
BSA Gift Annuities or BSA Pooled Income Fund gifts
Life insurance/retirement plan designations
Other deferred gifts approved by the local council

There are four levels of membership within the Founders Circle:

Bronze $100,000 minimum gift commitment
Silver $250,000 minimum gift commitment
Gold $500,000 minimum gift commitment
Platinum $1,000,000 minimum gift commitment

The early founders of the BSA had the vision and commitment to make Scouting the No. 1 youth organization in the world. In that spirit, we honor the modern-day visionaries who qualify for the Founders Circle by their commitment to perpetuate the visions and beliefs of those founders.