Dynamic Fundraising

A few key strategies have allowed me to grow revenue, regardless of location. It is fullfilling to build relationships with key members of the community.

A History of Growth

Assistant Scout Executive, Virginia Beach, VA Increased by 72%

Field Director, Fort Myers, FL Increased by 32%

District Director, Fort Myers, FL Increased by 28%

Senior District Executive, Asheville, NC Increased by 38%

Senior District Executive, Columbia, SC Increased by 8 %

District Director, Columbus, OH Increased by 19%

Senior District Executive, Greenville, SC Increased by 15%

District Executive, Albemarle, NC Increased by 43%

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Campaign Discipline

Regardless of the best ideas, and plans, success is 100% in the execution, and accountability. Throughout the campaigns and lead up to events, we communicate progress and challenges in completing both the backdated steps and money raised.

Below is a basic outline of our timetable we adhere to, which keeps us and our teams accountable:

September - Deadline to recruit 2026 chairs
October - Staff Finance Conference
November - Chair orientations completed
December - All Family presentations set
December - Begin weekly staff FOS briefing
December - All Pathfinder Dinner invitees set
January - All Keep the Campfire Socials chair recruited, and Socials set
January - Pathfinder Dinner Complete with 50% of goal complete by end of month
January - Begin monthly zoom report meetings with district FOS, Family and council overall chairs until victory celebration
February - All Leadership Breakfast table hosts recruited and trained
March - Leadership Breakfast
April - All District Socials Complete
May - All Family Presentation Complete
June - 100% FOS and Victory Celebration

Pathfinder Dinner

This is an effort to kick off our campaign and get our large alumni givers committed In January. the Pathfinder dinner for alumni $500 and up donors or Scouting adjacent prospects in the $500 and up category. We also have a recognition pin that that all donors (including family) receive for giving before the end of January. This resulted in reaching 50% of our FOS goal before the end of January.

Eagle Club

Tidewater Council has pushed to get an increase in Eagle givers at the $5000 and above level. We currently have 33 Eagle club givers, compared to less than 10 in 2019. Our Eagle givers account for $______ of our $526,000 FOS Campaign. We recognize our Eagle givers at the Pathfinder Dinner and/or Keep the Campfire Socials.

Keep the Campfires Burning Socials

These socials are intended to raise awareness and funds in smaller, more intimate groups, hosted by an individual at their home or other exclusive location. It also allows flexibility to bring new people to our fundraising fold. In Florida, I had a board member host his tennis buddies at his house, where the 5 people in attendance gave a total of $2,200. They can grow to a larger scale, like one he had with 14 guests who gave $22,000on Sanabel Island. Our Outer Banks social is a keystone of our 7-county North Carolina district hitting their FOS goal. We give the District Executives the tools to organize at least one in their District. Socials give District Executives the opportunity to learn fundraising event fundamentals and to engage in their communities. Socials can also be a fundraising entry into rural areas without the manpower base for a large event.

Examples of Success

This is a campaign to gather professional women in the community to honor our female Scout high achievers. Last year's event was spearheaded by Barbara Lewis, a well-known businesswoman in the community, where she was presented the newly introduced North Star Award. We had the retired commanding officer of the USS Comfort, Captain Kathryn Elliott, who went on to become the VP of Relationships for the Tidewater Council. It raised $8000 in new gifts This event was featured on Aaron on Scouting, the Scouting America official news blog:

16 female Eagle Scouts honored at council dinner, plus other news in Scouting this week - Aaron On Scouting

Good Scout Distinguished Citizen Dinner

This is an event where we honor a prominent member of the community who embodies the Scout oath and law. In addition to getting the honoree on board, we recruit a steering committee of their friends, peers, and close associates to bring attendees, sponsor tables and to provide information to help us recognize the honoree.

In Bradenton, Florida, a town of 57,000, we have held one for 12 years. When I was there, it evolved from an event that raised less than $15,000 to one that raised in the $40,000 range. Here is a news article from one of our more successful events: Bob Blalock receives ‘Good Scout’ award | Bradenton Herald

In Fort Myers, we held higher profile Distinguished Citizen Dinners. Those would raise in the $80,000 range and have over 300 attendees. One of our most successful events honored Florida Governor Rick Scott with the Distinguished Eagle award. Here is an article on this event: On his honor: Gov. Rick Scott presented with National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

Other Fundraising Events and Initiatives

Golf Tournaments - I have been involved in successful fundraising golf tournaments in Virginia Beach, Columbia, and Columbus.

Daniel Boone Scramble 15K - For 3 years, I lead a foot race on the 900 acres of Camp Daniel Boone. We have over 100 runners for this difficult race in the North Carolina mountains and raised around $3000 each year.

Richmond County Oyster Roast - As a rookie District Executive, we had an I-see-5 Friends of Scouting campaign that culminated in a community oyster roast in eastern North Carolina. It raised our fundraising from $19,000 to $42,000.

NASCAR Memorabilia Auction - In partnership with Hendrick motorsports and North Carolina Motor Speedway, we held an auction of NASCAR memorabilia, including race used sheet metal of the race cars, drivers suits, and a helmet autographed by every current NASCAR driver.