James E. West
Dr. James E. West
The first Chief Scout Executive
Of the Boy Scouts of America
1911-1943
A great place to start is becoming a James E. West Fellow or sponsoring someone else. Everyone is invited to join. Membership expresses support for and belief in the Longhorn Council endowment effort.
Individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund qualify for the James E. West Fellowship Award, a national recognition. This contribution is in addition to, and does not diminish or replace, the donor's annual gift to the Council's Friends of Scouting campaign.
In addition to individual James E. West Fellowships, organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone - an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, the Council President, a District Chairman, a business associate, a special Scouter, or in memory of a loved one.
James E. West Application (PDF)
West Fellows by Years (PDF)
Heritage Society
For those who are looking for another excellent way to provide financial support for the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund, please give careful consideration to joining the Heritage Society. The purpose of the Heritage Society is to encourage, inform, educate and inspire individuals who believe in the Scouting program to make an outright or planned gift of at least $5,000 to the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund. A planned gift can be in the form of a codicil to your will, a charitable trust, life insurance, or any other deferred gift approved by the Longhorn Council. Also, the Heritage Society serves as a means to recognize and thank the members. Each year a special Heritage Society dinner is held to honor all members.
Those who are James E. West Fellows are welcome to join the Heritage Society, and for an additional outright or planned gift of at least $5,000 is required.
Members of the 1910 Society and/or The Founders Circle who have contributed to the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund are automatically members of the Heritage Society.
1910 Society
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has grown into something larger and more significant than anyone anticipated. We honor that special date by presenting the 1910 Society award to donors who make gifts of $25,000 or more to the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund. These gifts can be in the form of cash, securities, land, five-year pledges, or other property suitable for the endowment trust fund or easily converted to cash. There are four levels of recognition in the 1910 Society that honor four very special individuals who shaped modern-day Scouting.
1) Earnest Thompson Seton, nationally known artist and naturalist, author of the first official American Scout handbook and many other books important to Scouting;
Seton level membership: $25,000 minimum gift
2) Daniel Carter Beard, first chairman of the National Court of Honor, National Scout Commissioner, and author of many well-known stories for youth;
Beard Level Membership: $100,000 minimum gift
3) Theodore Roosevelt, first Chief Scout Citizen, first Vice President of the BSA, and President of the United States;
Roosevelt Level Membership: $500,000 minimum gift
4) Waite Phillips, one of the BSA's first benefactors, and donor to the BSA of almost 130,000 acres of land in New Mexico which became Philmont Scout Ranch;
Phillips Level Membership: $1,000,000 minimum gift
The Founders Circle
The newest level of endowment recognition, The Founders Circle, is intended to recognize deferred gifts designated for the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund. With deferred giving (also called planned giving) so widely and effectively used by so many donors, the Longhorn Council wants to recognize the importance of such major gifts. Donors are recognized for gift commitments with a minimum value of $100,000. Unlike the other endowment recognition awards, a donor may qualify for membership with gifts made through:
- A charitable bequest in a will or codicil
- Charitable trusts, such as unitrusts, annuity trusts, and lead trusts
- BSA Gift Annuities or BSA Pooled Income Fund gifts
- Life insurance/retirement plan designations
As with the 1910 Society, there are four levels of membership within The Founders Circle. They are:
- Bronze: $100,000 minimum gift commitment
- Silver: $250,000 minimum gift commitment
- Gold: $500,000 minimum gift commitment
- Platinum: $1,000,000 minimum gift commitment
The founders of the BSA had the vision and commitment to make Scouting the number one youth organization in the world. In that spirit, we honor the modern-day visionaries who qualify for The Founders Circle in their commitment to perpetuate the visions and beliefs of the founders.
Categories of Gifts
An excellent booklet, "Living and Giving, Planning for the New Millennium," published by the Boy Scouts of America, provides information on numerous ways to give financial support to the Longhorn Council endowment trust fund.
Also available -
- National Recognition of Local Council Endowment Support brochure (includes application form)
- The Boy Scouts of America Annuity Program brochure
- James E. West Fellowship Award brochure
- Districts Support the James E. West Fellowship brochure ("Legends" program)
You may request a copy of the booklet and the brochures and/or additional information from one of the following:
Dr. Frank S. Dingwerth
Chairman, Longhorn Council Endowment Committee
14 Twin Springs Drive
Arlington, Texas 76016
Phone 817-467-2133
Fax: 817-465-8016
E-mail: fdingw@yahoo.com
- OR -
Michael Wright
Longhorn Council Deputy Scout Executive for Finance
PO Box 54190
850 Cannon Street
Hurst, Texas 76054
Phone: 817-231-8500
Fax: 817-231-8600
E-mail: miwright@bsamail.org
Memorial Tribute Fund
