BSA NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
FOR LOCAL COUNCIL ENDOWMENT GIFTS

Encouraging gifts to BSA local council endowment funds is one of Scouting's highest priorities. It is one of the only ways to ensure that your council can continue to offer the outstanding programs they now have and also grow to meet the needs of the youth and communities it serves.

In its gratitude for such support, the BSA nationally offers three distinct endowment recognition awards. These awards are presented by the local council to donors who support Scouting's financial future with council endowment gifts.

Those programs are:

James E West Fellow Ship

The Second Century Society

Presidents Leadership Council

The James E. West Fellowship Program

James E. West was the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America and he served in that position for more than three decades. The West Fellowship award is available to those who make gifts of $1,000 and up in cash or marketable securities to a council endowment fund. The gift must be in addition to -- and not replace or diminish -- the donor's annual Friends of Scouting support. Many individuals and corporations make these gifts on behalf of someone else -- such as in honor of an Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver recipient, a retirement, special accomplishment or anniversary -- or in memory of a special individual. If an institution is truly " the lengthened shadow of one man," it is more than fitting that the BSA honor James E. West's significant contributions to Scouting in such a significant way. 

The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to their local council endowment fund. This contribution is in addition to, and does not diminish or replace, the donor’s annual gift to the Council’s Sustaining Membership Enrollment or Friends of Scouting Campaign.

Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone — an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, council president, or district chairman, or in memory of a departed loved one, business associate or special Scouter.

Please consider the importance of Scouting to our communities and to the nation and its ability to develop those traits of character that will shape our future. Make your decision to join with other community leaders in building a lasting heritage for generations of young people to grow in self-reliance, moral courage, physical fitness, leadership, belief in god, and love of America.

There are four levels of the West Fellowship:

$1,000+          Bronze

$5,000+          Silver

$10,000+        Gold

$15,000+        Diamond

Each individual donor receives a special West Fellowship Certificate and lapel pin appropriate for the giving level. The donor (or, in some cases, the West Fellowship honoree instead) is also entitled to wear a special square knot on the BSA field uniform.

West Fellows are also eligible to attend special receptions at the National Annual Meeting, the Major Gift Fellowship Weeks at Philmont and other High Adventure facilities, and other events as announced.

The Second Century Society

Established during the BSA Centennial Year to honor the future of Scouting, the Second Century Society recognizes gifts of $25,000 or more. These gifts may be outright or deferred, though the qualifications are slightly different.

Outright gifts of cash, stock, land, and other acceptable property will qualify at their respective levels, as long as the gift is paid or payable within five years of the first, qualifying gift.

Deferred gifts may also qualify. These are gifts such as naming the council in a will, or as a beneficiary of an IRA, insurance policy, trust, charitable trust, gift annuity, or other similar types of gifts.

$25,000 + Outright Gift

• Lapel Pin
• Certificate

$100,000+ Outright Gift or Deferred Gift

• Lapel Pin
• Certificate
• Framed Rockwell Print
• Custom Second Century Society insignia item

$500,000+ Outright Gift or Deferred Gift

• Lapel Pin
• Certificate
• Limited Edition Framed Rockwell Print
• Custom Second Century Society insignia item

$1,000,000+ Outright Gift or Deferred Gift

•  Lapel Pin
•  Certificate
•  Premium Framed Rockwell Print
•  Custom Second Century Society insignia item

Presidents Leadership Council

Presidents Leadership Council gifts are gifts to or through the BSA National Foundation payable over five years, as part of an advised fund, designated fund, trust, or other Foundation fund structure.

$1,000,000+ Member Level

• A numbered limited-edition replica of Rockwell’s “Scoutmaster” in bronze
• Original commissioned Presidents Leadership Council marble sculpture
• A framed, full-sized Rockwell giclée of the donor’s choice from a catalog of artwork, professionally hung
• Custom Presidents Leadership Council tie
• Invitations to exclusive Presidents Leadership Council events.

$5,000,000+ Member Level

• Personal customized recognition items

$10,000,000+ Member Level

• Personal customized recognition items

For more information, contact:
Robert Besecker at 484-248-0230 or

Hawk Mountain Council, BSA
5027 Pottsville Pike
Reading, PA 19605