Montana Scouts seek ways to fill cash gap

BILLINGS — The Montana Council of the Boy Scouts of America has been operating with a cash shortfall for several years and is $150,000 short this year alone, said Case Haslam, endowment director.

The council receives about $500,000 a year through popcorn sales by Scouts and plans other fund-raisers, Haslam said. They include a $1,000-a-table luncheon Sept. 24 in Billings.

“Scouting has probably the largest alumni of any organization in the state, and one of the big challenges for us is to have all who are alumni be aware that it takes money to make this organization go,” said Gordon Rubard, director of the Montana Council.

Despite the financial difficulties, no programs have been cut, Haslam said. The organization employs 13 people across the state to manage programs for 10,000 scouts.