Cradle of Liberty Council

What Cradle of Liberty Council does

Cradle of Liberty Council, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), serving youth and families across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. The council operates a portfolio of age-tiered programs including Cub Scouts (K-5), Scouts BSA (grades 6-12), Venturing and Sea Scouts (ages 14-20), and Exploring career-exploration posts, organized across 11 districts and supported by two owned camp facilities (Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations), a retail Scout Shop in King of Prussia, and a council headquarters. Its stated mission is character, leadership, and outdoor-skills development, with supplementary programming in STEM/NOVA awards, shooting sports, Wood Badge and NYLT adult training, and Eagle Scout advancement support.

The council's technology stack is built entirely on national Scouting America platforms: Scoutbook for advancement tracking, My.Scouting for member registration and training records, Internet Advancement for service-project reporting, BeAScout for recruitment, the Scouting Event platform for event registration (OrgKey BSA525), and a dedicated Camp Reservation system. There is no proprietary technology; technology serves an administrative and member-experience role rather than a differentiating one. Third-party integrations are limited to commodity fundraising and commerce tools including Trail's End (popcorn fundraiser), GiveSmart (online donations), and Square (Council Trading Post).

The revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix spanning eight identified streams: an annual 'Invest in Character' campaign with tiered Annual Giving Societies (Golden Eagle through Baden Powell), recurring monthly giving via the Liberty Society, unit-level Trail's End popcorn fundraising, special-event fundraisers (Corporate Campfire, Golf Classic, Sousa Bowl, Sporting Clays), Scout Shop and Trading Post retail sales, weekend camping and facility rental fees at the two reservations, planned giving and endowment (including James E. West Fellowship and Good Turn Society recognition up to $100M+ lifetime tiers), workplace giving (United Way, Matching Gifts, PA EITC), and vehicle/in-kind donations via Insurance Auto Auctions. Customer segments span traditional youth participants, adult volunteers, corporate Exploring-post sponsors (PECO, PwC, Boeing, Phillies), and individual donors across multiple recognition tiers.

Name

Cradle of Liberty Council

Legal name

Cradle of Liberty Council, Inc.

Website

https://colbsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cradle of Liberty Council is a 501(c)(3) Scouting America local council delivering Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring programs to youth across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania, funded by donations, fundraising, retail, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

King Of Prussia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Campaign / Family Giving: The council conducts an Annual Campaign asking supporters to 'Invest in Character' through direct donations. The Family Phase allows Scouters, parents, and alumni to support local programs and facilities. Monthly recurring giving available through Liberty Society ($15+/month).
2. Unit Fundraising (Popcorn): Partnership with Trail's End for annual popcorn fundraiser. Units sell popcorn products and retain a portion of proceeds; a portion supports council camps and operations.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Special events including Corporate Campfire gala, Golf Classic, Sousa Bowl, Sporting Clays Classic, and various recognition receptions generate revenue and donations.
4. Scout Shop Retail Sales: Valley Forge Scout Shop and Council Trading Post sell uniforms, handbooks, equipment, and council-specific merchandise including limited-edition patches.
5. Camping and Facility Fees: Revenue from weekend rental reservations at Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations, including site fees and activity charges.
6. Planned Giving and Endowment: Deferred giving vehicles including wills, charitable trusts, gift annuities, and endowment fund contributions. Heritage Society recognizes planned giving donors.
7. Workplace Giving Programs: Dollars for Doers program, United Way designation (Council ID: 00076), Matching Gifts, and EITC Program (Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit) for corporate donations.
8. Vehicle and In-Kind Donations: Partnership with Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) for vehicle donations through OneCarHelpsScouts.com; accepts gifts of professional expertise and goods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cradle of Liberty Council delivers the full continuum of Boy Scouts of America youth development programs—Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring—to youth ages 5–20 across Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. Programs are delivered through chartered community units and supported by two council-owned outdoor reservations (Resica Falls and Musser), adult and youth leadership training (Wood Badge, NYLT, University of Scouting), advancement services (Eagle Scout support, merit badge counseling), and a retail Scout Shop.

Product overview

The Cradle of Liberty Council operates a portfolio of interconnected youth development programs serving Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties. The core offerings include Cub Scouts (K-5), Scouts BSA (grades 6-12), Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring programs. These programs are supported by physical facilities (Resica Falls and Musser Scout Reservations, Valley Forge Scout Shop), training programs (Wood Badge, NYLT, University of Scouting, Shooting Sports, STEM/NOVA), advancement services (Eagle Scout support, merit badge counseling), and fundraising tools (Trail's End popcorn, annual campaign). The council also provides online platforms for membership management (My.Scouting, Scoutbook, BeAScout), event registration, and camping reservations. Programs integrate with national BSA systems for registration, advancement tracking, and safety compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scouting Philly: Social media and marketing brand name for the council

Products and services

• Cub Scouts

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,200 under-resourced youth served through After School Programs with positive adult mentors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Trail's EndcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide annual popcorn fundraiser for units. Trail's End provides the popcorn products, online selling platform, mobile app, and training resources. Units sell popcorn and retain proceeds, with portion supporting council camps.
• Boy Scouts of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization providing program standards, training curricula, insurance, advancement systems (Scoutbook, My.Scouting), and national events (Jamboree). The council operates as a chartered local council under BSA.
• BSA National FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational foundation supporting planned giving programs including gift annuities and pooled income funds. Provides James E. West Fellowship recognition for endowment donors.
• Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle donation program partnership allowing donors to give vehicles to the council through IAA. Generates mission-critical funding for council programs.
• NRA (National Rifle Association)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for shooting sports training programs including Range Safety Officer, Basic Rifle, Shotgun, and Pistol courses. Certified instructors provide training.
• American Red CrosssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides CPR/AED certification training through council. Council offers four certification opportunities per year at Service Center.
• Jewish Committee on ScoutingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational committee providing religious awards (Maccabee, Aleph, Ner Tamid, Etz Chaim), camperships for Jewish Scouts, Eagle Scout project grants, and Kinnus retreat. Serves Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.
• Philadelphia Area Catholic Committee on ScoutingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides religious awards and support for Catholic youth in Scouting. Part of the national Catholic committee network.
• United WaysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual workplace giving campaign. Council ID: 00076. Donors can designate workplace giving contributions to support council programs.
• Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) ProgramsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPennsylvania state program allowing businesses to receive tax credits for contributions to qualified organizations. Council approved to receive EITC funding supporting Exploring and After School Programs.
• BeAScout (BSA Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational BSA platform enabling families to find local Scouting programs. Council units maintain 'BeAScout pins' for recruitment visibility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania: Direct counterpart serving the same Greater Philadelphia region through scouting-style troop-based programs for girls K-12. Operates a similar council structure with membership dues, retail shops, camp properties, volunteer-led troop delivery, and tiered donor recognition, making it the closest head-to-head competitor for youth, families, and charitable dollars.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia: Regional youth development nonprofit serving Philadelphia youth with after-school programming, mentoring, and character-building activities. Competes directly for the same youth time, family engagement, and charitable contributions within the same metropolitan area, with a comparable operating footprint and member base.
• Patriots' Path Council (Boy Scouts of America): Comparable chartered BSA local council serving northern and central New Jersey with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and related programs. Operates the same franchise model, program standards, and technology stack, making it the most structurally analogous peer in terms of council-level operations and revenue mix.
• Police Athletic League of Philadelphia: Philadelphia-based youth services nonprofit providing athletic, educational, and enrichment programming to city youth, including after-school and summer programs. Competes for the same under-resourced youth audience, the same corporate and EITC funding pools, and the same family engagement in the Philadelphia metro.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Greater Philadelphia: Broader family and youth services organization with extensive facilities, memberships, and youth programming across Greater Philadelphia. Competes for the same youth/family engagement and charitable donations, but offers a much wider portfolio (fitness, swim, child care, camps) beyond scouting-only programming.
• Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America): National parent organization providing program standards, technology platforms (Scoutbook, My.Scouting, BeAScout), training curricula, insurance, and the national Jamboree. Acts as both the council's franchisor and a broad incumbent across all U.S. scouting, with the council operating as one chartered local council under this umbrella.
• National 4-H Council: National youth development organization delivering club-based experiential learning, leadership, civic engagement, and STEM programs. Competes for the same school-age youth audience and grant/foundation funding pools, but operates as a cooperative extension model rather than membership-fee based.

Emerging players

• Camp Fire: National youth development nonprofit offering outdoor education, camp, and after-school programming with a smaller national footprint than the BSA. Competes for the same school-age demographic and summer-camp dollars in select markets, with overlapping outdoor and character-development programming.

Others

• Trail's End: Exclusive popcorn fundraising platform partner for BSA councils nationwide, providing products, online selling platform, mobile app, and training resources. Functions as a supplier/infrastructure dependency for the council's largest unit-level fundraiser rather than a direct competitor.
• American Red Cross (Eastern Pennsylvania Region): National humanitarian organization that delivers CPR/AED certification training through the council and runs its own youth preparedness programs. Functions as a training-content partner and is comparable as a large nonprofit monetizing youth and family training in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCek-7tIY5AWi-VKcKU7iQHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScoutingPhilly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scoutingphilly
• Instagraminstagram.com/ScoutingPhilly
• Xx.com/colbsa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cradle of Liberty Council