Family Giving

2026 Annual Campaign Unit Kickoff

Donate Now

The Family Phase of the Annual Campaign provides Scouters, parents and alumni with an opportunity to support the programs and facilities right here in the Cradle of Liberty Council. Please consider helping us “Invest in Character” today!

The true cost of Scouting is much greater than what unit dues or event and camping fees cover. Yearly registration fees directly support the National Council of Scouting America and help provide program development and research, literature and other resources. The Annual Campaign gives our supporters the opportunity to invest locally in the Cradle of Liberty Council at a level of their own choosing.

The Cradle of Liberty Council is an essential part of serving youth and volunteers in Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties by:

  • Providing a trained professional staff, systems, and resources to ensure that each unit can efficiently and effectively support the successful running of their program.
  • Providing the training, facilities, and advancement opportunities for youth and volunteers to help enable them to get the most out of their Scouting journey.
  • Helping to subsidize the cost of Scouting activities, camping, and use of facilities to make them safe, accessible and affordable to all members in the council.
  • Proactively resourcing the growth and development of Scouting in all parts of the community, and to provide opportunities for everyone to be part of and enjoy what Scouting has to offer.

Liberty SocietyJoin the Liberty Society!

Donate online with a monthly recurring gift of $15 or more to become a Liberty Society Member! Select the “Monthly” option and set your amount. It’s a convenient way to give, helps the council better plan for the future, and saves resources!

Recommended Unit Appeal

Take these steps for a successful unit appeal and your unit will “Ring the Bell” for the Annual Campaign! Click on the step for details and resources.

STEP #1: Recruit a Unit Champion
  • Recruit a volunteer in your unit to serve as the Annual Campaign Unit Champion. This person will take the lead on coordinating the Annual Campaign for your unit, with assistance from the district volunteer Annual Campaign chair and/or staff fundraising specialist.
  • This role is important but does not need to be a long-term or time-intensive commitment, especially if the unit appeal is conducted using the recommended approach.
Unit Champion Position Description
  • The Unit Champion should work with unit leadership to confirm the following information:
    • Expected start date of your unit’s digital campaign appeal. Please plan to submit this information using the form below at least two weeks in advance of your unit’s campaign start date so we can ensure everything is properly set up.
    • Expected end date (the campaign works best if it’s 4-6 weeks in duration).
    • Unit goal: Set a goal for your campaign. Some items to take into consideration:
      • How much has your unit raised in the past?
      • How many families are in your unit? How much could your unit raise if every family (or most families) participated at some level? 
      • A good unit goal is aspirational but attainable and encourages participation.
    • Unit Impact Statement: This is optional, but helps to personalize your unit’s online giving page. Anything you include should be concise and as brief as possible, and can include things like:
      • What makes your unit unique?
      • Do you have any heartwarming Scouting stories you’d like to highlight?
      • How does your unit positively impact the families and community it serves?
  • Once these details are confirmed, please use the button below to complete a short online form. A volunteer or staff member will reach out to the Unit Champion indicated on the form to confirm all the details (including if you’d like to include a custom picture or two on your page).
  • The information you submit will be used to create (or edit) your unit’s online giving page, and should be completed annually even if a page already exists for your unit. The best way to check if your unit has a page is to visit scoutingphilly.org/give > Click on the “Districts” tab > Select your district > Click on the “Units” tab > Search for your unit.
Submit Your Unit's Information
  • Create or update your email and/or text distribution list. Make sure every family is included, as well as any previous donors and alumni you’d like to include.
  • Create your appeal emails and/or texts.
    • A template is included below for you to customize.
    • If you’re using any messages you’ve prepared in the past, please make sure that all URLs and/or text-to-give keywords are updated for the current year (these usually change annually).
      • You can copy the URL from your browser once your page is created. It should appear as https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/26COL/<unit page here>
      • The text-to-give keyword should appear as 26COL<random number assigned to your unit by GiveSmart here>
    • Decide who will make the ask. This should be a person, not just a generic message from the unit. It can be the Unit Champion, but it doesn’t have to be – consult with your unit leadership to determine who the best person would be to make the ask.
Sample Initial Ask Message

Send your fundraising email/text to your distribution list.

Send another fundraising email/text to your distribution list about a week or so after your initial ask.

Sample Repeat Ask Messages

Send a reminder to your distribution list another week or so after your repeat ask is sent.

In another week or so, send a message focused on progress and closing the gap.

Send a thank you message.

Review the results with your unit committee and assess the effectiveness of your campaign.

  • What went well?
  • What could have gone better?
  • Are there opportunities for next time?

Need Help?

Please contact your professional fundraising specialist:

Jonathan Fullenwellen
(484) 654-9266
  • Conestoga
  • Northern
  • Roosevelt
  • Triune
  • Washington
Justin LoMonaco
(484) 654-9270
  • Baden-Powell
  • Constellation
  • Minquas
Mike Kraus
(484) 654-9225
  • Continental
  • General Nash
  • Lafayette