Narragansett Council

Girl Scout volunteers smiling at an outdoor event, wearing uniforms and hats.

Fiscal Policies

Fiscal Policies

A plain-language guide to how money works in your Pack, Troop or Crew — what the rules are, why they exist, and which form you need when.

NEW TO SCOUTING?

Money in Scouting, in 60 seconds

You don't need to be an accountant to volunteer. Here are the three ideas everything on this page builds on.

The money belongs to the unit

Your “unit” is your local group — a Cub Scout Pack, Scouts BSA Troop or Venturing Crew. Funds it raises belong to the unit, not to any one person, and are used for its Scouting program.

Adults keep clear records

A unit committee — usually with a treasurer — tracks what comes in and goes out and reports it to families. Good records protect your volunteers as much as your money.

Fundraisers get approved first

Before your unit holds a money-earning project, it submits a short application to the council. It's a quick check that the plan fits Scouting's rules.

WORDS YOU'LL SEE

Quick glossary

Unit
Your local Scouting group: a Pack, Troop, Crew or Ship.
Chartered organization
The school, faith group or civic club that sponsors and “owns” your unit.
Unit committee
The adult volunteers who handle a unit's business side, including its money.
Council
Narragansett Council — the regional office that supports every unit in RI and nearby MA and CT.
Money-earning project
Scouting's term for a unit fundraiser, like a car wash or popcorn sale.
Scout account
Money a unit tracks on behalf of one Scout. Special rules apply — see the guidance below.
THE DOCUMENTS

Find what you need by question

Not sure where to start? Read the first one, then come back for the others when you need them.

1 “What are the rules for handling unit money?” · START HERE Fiscal Policies & Procedures for Units Scouting America's official rulebook for unit finances — bank accounts, budgets, record-keeping and who can approve spending. Read the guide 2 “We want to hold a fundraiser. What do we file?” Unit Money-Earning Application The form your unit completes and submits to the council before a fundraiser takes place. Download PDF 3 “Is our fundraiser idea allowed?” Fundraising Do's & Don'ts A short, readable checklist of what units can and can't do when raising money. Read the checklist 4 “Can fundraiser money be set aside for my Scout?” Guidance on Individual Scout Accounts Explains how units can — and can't — credit funds to individual Scouts for things like camp fees. Read the guidance 5 “Where does the money for Scouting come from?” How Scouting Is Funded A one-stop overview of how dues, fundraising and donations support units and the council. Download PDF
STEP BY STEP

Planning a unit fundraiser

  1. 01 Agree as a committee Decide what you're raising money for and how much your unit's budget needs.
  2. 02 Check the do's & don'ts Make sure your idea fits the fundraising guidelines (document 3).
  3. 03 Submit the application Send the Unit Money-Earning Application to the council before the event (document 2).
  4. 04 Track and report Record every dollar and share the results with your unit's families.
COMMON QUESTIONS

New volunteers often ask…

Do I have to read every document on this page?
No. If you are a new leader or committee member, start with Fiscal Policies & Procedures for Units. The others are there for when a specific situation comes up, such as planning a fundraiser.
Who handles the money in our unit?
Usually the unit committee, with one member serving as treasurer. Ask your committee chair who that is for your Pack, Troop or Crew.
When do we need the Money-Earning Application?
Before your unit holds a fundraiser. Fill it out early so the council has time to review it before your event date.
Who can I ask if something is unclear?
Email the Narragansett Council team at [email protected]. They help new volunteers with these questions all the time.