What is FBI?

The Faith Based Initiative (FBI) is a strategy for growth and retention. Faith based units last longer and participants advance farther (according to BSA research). The FBI is an approach to developing collaborative partnerships between local scout councils and congregations.

Boy Scouts:  How FBI helps BSA

FBI originally grew out of the BSA Journey to Excellence Program. It is designed to equip local councils to engage the faith community in reaching young families and building sustainable membership.  The FBI recognizes that collaborations between BSA councils and faith-based organizations will not only benefit children and youth, but will also benefit the organizations themselves. Here are resources to help you understand the rationale, benefits, and tools in collaborating with local congregations.

Faith Communities:  How FBI helps Congregations

FBI helps congregations embrace Scouting as ministry (and not just as another group that meets in the basement). Congregations are helped to understand how Scouting provides opportunities not only for spiritual growth but also for evangelism. Scouting is presented as an intergenerational ministry connecting young people with older adults. Churches also understand how Scouting provides a service to the neighborhood and larger community through its many service initiatives.

Religious Emblems: The Linchpin Connecting Scouting and Churches

The Religious Emblems programs connect Scouting with the church. Understanding Religious Emblems - who creates them, how to promote them, what resources are available - is critical to the FBI.

Why It Works

  • Builds and strengthens partnerships between scouting organizations and the faith community
  • Is supported by the National Religious Relationship Task Force
  • 70 percent of BSA units are chartered by faith-based organizations
  • BSA research points to congregations as the best place to start new sustainable units
  • BSA statistics show that faith-based units last longer and participants advance farther
  • Scout councils and faith-based organizations share similar goals, i.e. membership growth, retention, trained leadership, quality programming, and financial stability
  • Collaborations between scout councils and faith-based organizations will not only benefit children and youth, but will also benefit the organizations themselves