Finance/Development | Daniel Tucker

FINANCE

AND

DEVELOPMENT

Leadership/Governance

Marketing/Communication

Revenue Generation and Financial Stewardship

Managing the financial resources is one of the primary responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer. It is imperative that this position provide accurate financial information and to ensure the financial resources of the council are managed using prescribed management practices of the BSA. First class stewardship of the council's resources is critical to maintaining public trust and goodwill.

Through my deep understanding of the BSA accounting system and fund accounting, I have been able to work closely with board members to create a more transparent environment that communicates a sense of urgency and need to all constituents. This gave our council leadership the right information to make key decisions for the council. By motivating donors and volunteers with a compelling case for support and renewed board involvement, we have built a stronger foundation for sustainability. Innovations in fundraising have led to increases in endowment, special events, product sales, Friends of Scouting and capital income sources.

I have a strong background in using BSA systems, and in fundraising in all three funds (operating, capital and endowment.) I am excited to see the level of experience of the staff and the history of financial success for the center. I will work closely with staff and volunteers to diversify and open new funding sources.

Here are a few examples that show how volunteer teams I have served with made ordinary fundraisers great, new initiatives successful, and provided firm fiscal management.

Demonstrated in Orange County, Bakersfield and Sacramento

Educated staff and volunteers on council fiscal controls by authoring the "Activity Planning Guide."

Engaged staff members in reintroducing the long-term endowment needs of the Council and reengaged potential donors through annual Heritage Society events and donor receptions.

Revitalized Community FOS by relabeling campaign to Major Gifts. Emphasizing that most philanthropic gifts come from high capacity individuals within companies. Find the major donor, company gifts will follow.

Assisted the Council Audit Committee to ensure that records are transparent and complete.

Implemented a planned budgeting system that was built from the ground up. Trained professional staff in proper budgeting and fostered ownership between the council and district level volunteers. Provided the vision that a budget is the Executive Boards plan of action and a financial blueprint that guides decision-making. In simple terms, a budget is the council’s program expressed in dollars.

Expanded Scout shop floor space in each council office to maximize sales.

As Deputy Scout Executive/COO of the Orange County Council

Successfully collaborated with volunteers and staff to increase council revenue 2014-2019 from $9.3 million to over $11 million. Net assets grew 94% from $551,941 to $1,073,488. Revenue and assets grew 12% and 11% respectively in 2017. Up to 2019, we realized a budget surplus each year of my tenure.

Grew District Major Gift/Community fundraising over $100,000 in four years; 11% increase overall. Averaged 14% growth over goal each year.

Endowment gifts come from the heart. Every donor has personal experiences, individual motivating factors, and/or a generous spirit. Drawing on these traits has led to significant increases in endowment gifts. Together with the planning giving committee, permanent gifts has grown 21% since 2013 with another 4% increase in 2017. The Securing Our Future endowment campaign was launched in 2018 and has continued to add new gifts through this year.

Increased Direct Support from $2.3 million to over $2.4 million. Achieved 9% increase in 2017, our best year yet. Increases included growth in FOS and special events.

Developed an online tool to monitor leading indicators accessible by volunteers and staff to track campaign progress for family and major gift fundraising. Friends of Scouting giving has exceeded $1,000,000 for five years running and has grown 7% since 2014.

Developed an innovative approach to Friends of Scouting buy-in with a Unit Finance Binder that includes information about Family FOS, Popcorn and Adventure Card Sales, and guidelines for unit treasurers.

Introduced Merit Badge Sponsorships and used the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award to help generate growth in major gifts. Over $40,000 is raised from Merit Badge sponsors. A district home and hearth major gift event has grown from $15,000 to over $40,000 in three years.

First class special events are important to cultivate larger gifts and are used to introduce corporate giving to Scouting. Income has grown 12% since 2014 to over $930,000 and grew over $93,000 (15%) in 2017. Several of our special events center around specific industries such as construction, real estate, and food services. Two of our premier events, the Spurgeon Luncheon designed to recognize Exploring and the Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner, combined have over 800 in attendance and exceed budget expectations annually.

Cooperated in leading the Leadership Breakfast “Developing Visionary and Ethical Leaders”, a new event to play on the aim of Scouting; Leadership. Guest speakers include Rex Tillerson (Secretary of State, 2016), Rob Freidman (co-founder of TenX, 2017), Rodney Sacks (Monster Energy Company Chairman and CEO, 2018), and Vince Ferragamo (NFL Quaterback, 2019).

Innovation through collaborative efforts with Trails End and unit leaders has helped to grow the popcorn sale 5% since 2014. In 2017, the sale grew 15%, exceeding $1.4 million. In 2019, the sale exceeded $1.6 million and exceeded budget by 10%.

Introduced the Adventure Card Sale in 2016 to replace a declining spring fundraising campaign. The sale generates over $380,000 annually and increased net 5.6% in 2017.

As Scout Executive/CEO of the Southern Sierra Council

Initiated vendor payment plans. Met all payment deadlines on-time during tenure. Educated staff and volunteers, and managed a purchase order system to control expenses. Worked closely with volunteers to effectively create, manage, and maintain council budget. Provided clear reports to analyze and track progress. Reduced an inherited debt of $346,087 to $195,000.

The Council was recognized 3 times as a National BSA Direct Support Achiever for increasing revenue generation.

Using the “Lay the Foundation for the Future, Add Your Name Here” campaign, we more than doubled the number of gifts to the endowment fund. 48 of the 86 James E West fellowships were also added during my tenure. Under the leadership of the Council’s endowment and investment committees, $341,210 was added to the endowment fund.

Increased Family Friends of Scouting campaign from an average gift of $14.00 and 7% participation in 2008 to an average gift $182.00 and 13% participation in 2013.

Re-imagined the Council Golf Tournament. Quoted as having one of the top ten golf tournaments in Bakersfield. Provided leadership to the Council Sporting Clays tournament targeting the agriculture industry. Introduced the first Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner.

Restructured the annual County Fair Potato Booth Sale. Grew the sale from $70,073 in 2009 to $90,918 in 2012. Fresh marketing, new sales techniques, and tracking tools were created to generate increased revenue.

Secured over $300,00 in materials, labor and donations to remodel Scout Service Center and raised over $500,000 in capital funding to address deferred maintenance and new construction at Camp Kern.

As Director of Field Services and Director of Support Services of the

Golden Empire Council

In cooperation with our Scout Executive and key volunteers, I was able to assist in turning the Golden Empire Council into a growing and dynamic metro operation by eliminating $639,081 in operating debt. Developed a local council stewardship manual, Activity Planning Guide and fiscal management tools resulting in stabilizing council financial operations and increase net assets.

Worked with the endowment counsel of the Boy Scouts of America and the Council Endowment committee to coordinate heritage events and private meetings with interested parties. Grew the Golden Empire Council’s endowment fund assets from $1,470,357 to $2,444,459, and over $1,000,000 in deferred endowment gifts through life insurance policies and bequests.

Worked with the VP of Finance and VP of Friends of Scouting to build the organizational structure of the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign resulting in increased collections from $759,120 in 2005 to over $1,012,000 in 2007.

Increased Popcorn sale over 150% from $491,216 to $763,799; 1999 to 2005.

Attended with the Council Controller, the National BSA Fiscal Management Training Course.

Revitalized Council Distinguished Citizen Award Dinners honoring leading citizens; resulted in restoring a $50,000 revenue source in support of Council operations. Produced high caliber audio/visual presentations to support event. Participated on special event committees to increase revenue from $64,987 to over $148,611 in five years.

Introduced the first Council Sporting Clays tournament.

The annual golf tournament of the Golden Empire Council has become one of the premier golf tournaments in the Sacramento valley. The tournament has provided an opportunity for building and maintaining relationships with major donors. Gross revenue exceeds $100,000.

Coordinated auto and boat sales in support of Scoutreach programs.

Over $1.2 million was raised and spent during my tenure for camp improvement projects.

Introduced a Food for Camp program that generated over $15,000 in savings for camp.