Support Scouting

While Scout Councils like ours employ a small staff of dedicated professionals, the fact is that Scouting would not exist without you — the members of our community who volunteer their time and donate their resources to make Scouting possible. Thank you!

There are a variety of ways you can support Scouting in the Great Smoky Mountain region.

Ways to Support

GIVE TO THE COUNCIL

This year, the Great Smoky Mountain Council will provide the Scouting experience to more than 10,000 young people across East Tennessee, each of whom pays just $80 a year for membership, plus modest unit dues and registration fees for activities like our week-long summer camp.

Both the Great Smoky Mountain Council and the Boy Scouts of America depend on private donations from individuals and organizations to make that possible. Your donation helps us offer life-changing experiences and helps deserving youth afford to be part of them. Any amount makes a critical difference in our ability to offer quality programming — and to positively impact the lives of our Scouts.

GIVE ONLINE DONATIONs >

If you prefer to send a check, PLEASE MAIL TO:
Great Smoky Mountain Council
1333 Old Weisgarber Rd
Knoxville, TN 37909

JOIN US FOR AN EVENT

Throughout the year, the Great Smoky Mountain Council hosts a variety of fundraising events, including special dinners, golf tournaments, sporting clays shoots.

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN DINNER
This event has passed. Please plan to join us next year! 

BRUCE ATKINS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
May 13, 2024 at Gettysvue Polo, Golf, and Country Club

SHOOT FOR SCOUTING SPORTING CLAYS CLASSIC
September 13, 2024 at Iron Mountain Sporting Clays 

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
This event has passed. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2024!

The council’s six districts also host fundraising dinners, typically in during late winter and spring.

MAKE AN ENDOWMENT GIFT

The council’s endowment serves as an enduring source of predictable revenue that is most often used to fund camp operations.

JAMES E. WEST FELLOWSHIP AWARD
Donors who choose to give $1,000 or more to the endowment are honored with the James E. West Fellowship Award, named for the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, and receive national recognition.

SCOUTING HERITAGE SOCIETY
Those who give $5,000 or more to the endowment are recognized through membership in the Scouting Heritage Society and celebrated at an annual Heritage Society Reception. Many choose to make their Heritage Society commitment by providing for the council in their estate plans.

JOIN THE SECOND CENTURY SOCIETY

The Second Century Society is the Boy Scouts of America’s national social organization of individual, nonprofit, and corporate donors who have made an outright gift of $25,000 or more payable over five years, or a deferred gift of $100,000 or more to a local council, the Boy Scouts of America Foundation, high-adventure base, or any Scouting entity for operating, capital, or endowment.

Collectively, Society members have given more than $170 million to support the operational, capital and endowment needs of Scouting. While every member has a different way they express their vision for Scouting’s future, they have a common goal… ensuring all youth continue to experience Scouting in its Second Century and beyond.

To learn more about the Second Century Society or complete and application for membership based on your past philanthropic commitments, please visit BSAFOUNDATION.ORG >

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT

Since the beginning, volunteers have been the heart of Scouting. And it doesn’t just benefit the Scouts. Our volunteers will tell you that their work is just as rewarding for them as it for the young people they mentor and lead.

THERE ARE COUNTLESS WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Working directly with Scouts as a unit leader (Den Leader, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Venturing Crew Advisor, Sea Scout Skipper, STEM Scout Lab Manager, or Exploring Post Advisor), or as an assistant leader.

Helping with specific events or activities as a merit badge counselor, event coordinator, service project coordinator, camp coordinator, or camping trip participant.

Fulfilling an administrative role as a member of an advancement or communications committee; a secretary helping with record keeping, permits, minutes, and re-chartering; a treasurer; or a training coordinator.

Advancing Scouting through other means as a chartered organization representative, a Friends of Scouting fundraising coordinator, a youth recruiter, or one on of many more opportunities.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING >

SUPPORT Boy Scouts of America Trust.

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, select the Great Smoky Mountain Council and with every purchase, Amazon donates a portion of your total.
SMILE.AMAZON.COM >

OUR PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS

Support comes to the Great Smoky Mountain Council not just through the generosity of individuals and corporations, but also through several key philanthropic partners. We appreciate the steadfast support of the East Tennessee Foundation; the United Fund of Cumberland County; and United Ways of Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Roane, Sevier, and Union Counties.

united way

east tennessee foundation