Fundraising mamas (BSA) *again*

[BlsdMama]

Okay, so we're doing a big breakfast (pancakes, sausage, etc.)

 

How do I handle costs?  I'm wondering if it looks like this:

 

Currently we've raised $0.  The expenses for the breakfast come in before the profits for the breakfast.

 

Essentially:

 

We donate $250 to the fund.

Now expenses can come out of that (cost of having the piggie processed, pancake mix, syrup, etc.) 

 

Is that on the up and up as long as I have receipts?

 

OR 

 

What I'd rather do is have CJ open an account at the local bank for the goal of fundraising for this.  Then people can swing by and make donations if they'd like, kwim?

Then he can just write the checks out of the account for expenses.  Because, after the initial breakfast, there are then a lot of expenses - the cost of the concrete, the lumber, vinyl, etc.  KWIM?  And I think it's going to be a bear to keep track of in cash.

 

 

Can I do that?  

[City Mouse]

I don't think he can open a bank account, but maybe he could do that using the troop's account, or the troop could open a second account.

[BlsdMama]

If you donate to the project, it's just that, a donation. You can't donate and then get paid back. Now, that's for expenses for the project--not sure how that works for fundraising FOR the project. I'd call and ask your Council. What happens if you don't make expenses for the breakfast? It could happen. I think it would be a VERY bad idea to have an account that you put money into to fund the breakfast, planning to be paid back out of, and mixing monies with people donating towards concrete, etc. To the IRS, it would appear that you are getting monies from donations.  I'm often asked if parents can front money and then get paid back, and the answer is no. 

 

 

So what I'm asking is this:

 

We donate $200 to the fund.

The FUND then pays for expenses.

 

Can we do that?

 

No reimbursement.  Our donation would be our donation and always stay a donation but then the amount of $$ he raises is far more accurate imo? 

 

I can't ask his troop.  Our troop closed their charter and converted to Trail Life.  I'm very happy with this arrangement, but it does leave him as a Lone Scout at a crucial time.