Project Sales
Many people think of a business’ annual budget in terms of dollars for broad categories
such as employee salaries or paying the monthly utility bill – but for a Boy Scout council, it is much more.
Instead think of the council’s annual budget as the ink and paper needed for a flier distributed at a school to educate boys and their parents about the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting. It is the tents a scout sleeps in while on his adventure at Forestburg Scout Reservation. It is the labor and materials needed to renovate a building at Quail Hill Scout Reservation.
Project sales and gifts in kind can be an integral part of helping the Monmouth Council deliver quality programs and services to our community.
Project sales help...
- Identify special sources of income
- Interest new contributors in specific line items of the budget
- Upgrade existing contributions to new levels of giving
You can help support the Monmouth Council provide vital services and programs to Scouts, volunteer leaders and chartered organizations through your annual Friends of Scouting gift by supporting a specific budget or donating a needed item.
Project Sales Outline
Definition
The premise of project sales is to sell a part of the operating budget to an organization, corporation, or individual. For example: an organization interested in camping might pay for the cost of a camp brochure. A group interested in education might pay for a portion or all of the professional development courses for our staff.
Caution – resist the temptation to transfer your current contributors to a project because you know he/she has a particular interest. Unless the donor increases their contribution substantially, you have not gained anything. While we all know of the nice “extras” that would benefit Scouting, only projects that are reflected in the Monmouth Council operating budget will be eligible towards your finance goal.
Gifts in Kind
Occasionally an individual or business may have an interest in Scouting and be willing to give us a gift of supplies, etc. that is in the Council operating budget in lieu of a cash contribution. Once again, only items in the budget will receive credit. Project Sale Example:
A company offers to give us cases of paper for our internal printing operation. Instead of going to an outside vendor for the same item, we can now use this gift and as a result save the Council’s cash for other items. Or a company can provide the cash value for the purchase of that item. All donors are acknowledged for their support. Gift in Kind Example: A person donates a row boat for camp. Although it may be needed, it may not be currently budgeted. Although we may decide to accept it and use it, the donation does not support the operating budget and would not be credited as a the Project Sales, rather it would be considered a “Gift in Kind”. All donors are acknowledged for their support.
NOTE: Project Sales and Gifts-In-Kind rely on a strict time schedule using materials and resources which the Council needs on a timely basis. Funding after a project is complete is not practical and accepting a gift not relevant to the budget.
Wish List
Our camp “Extras List” represents items that would improve the quality of the Council and its programs but is not critical to the operation. These items are not budgeted and credit is not given towards a district’s FOS goals.
Capital Project
As Scouting in the council continues to grow, so do the demands upon the facilities of the council. The Monmouth Council has embarked upon a program to help ensure the financial success of our programs and to be able to provide the resources to maintain our two properties. This program is called our Capital Projects.
Theses projects will ensure the Monmouth Council the ability to provide a quality program to the youth our county years to come!
Download the complete Project Sales booklet
