--- title: "Reviewing Project Proposals" url: https://eagleboards.page/docs/proposals/ site: Eagle Boards (https://eagleboards.page/) last_revised: 2026-10-18 html_version: https://eagleboards.page/docs/proposals/ description: "For the adults reviewing Eagle Scout service project proposals: what must be in place before the review, the five tests, the limits on reviewers, and the possible outcomes." --- # Reviewing Project Proposals > For the adults reviewing Eagle Scout service project proposals: what must be in place before the review, the five tests, the limits on reviewers, and the possible outcomes. ## Before the review The proposal is written in the current [Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook](https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/eagle-scout-workbook/) (No. 512-927). "The candidate must not be required to submit more than is described there, or more than is necessary to establish that a project can meet the above tests." By the time it reaches the district, the proposal should already be approved in writing by the benefiting organization, the unit leader, and the unit committee. No particular order is specified. It is **not** required that the committee chair or unit advancement coordinator specifically sign; any committee member the unit designates will do. "The Scout will be allowed, if desired, to have a unit leader or other adult present as an observer at any time the proposal or project is being discussed with someone who is reviewing it." ## The five tests From the *Guide to Advancement*, topic 9.0.2.7: > The proposal is an overview, but also the beginnings of planning. It > shows the unit leader and any representatives of a unit committee, > council, or district, that the following tests can be met. > > 1. The project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the requirement. > 2. The project appears to be feasible. > 3. Safety issues will be addressed. > 4. Action steps for further detailed planning are included. > 5. The Scout is on the right track with a reasonable chance for a > positive experience. > > The detail required for a proposal depends on project complexity. It > must be enough to provide a level of confidence for a council or district > reviewer that the above tests can be met, but not so much that—based on > the possibility a proposal can be rejected—it does not respect the time > it takes to prepare. ## Limits on reviewers In the Guide's own words: * "Councils, districts, and units must not establish requirements for the number of people led, or their makeup, or for time worked on a project." * "There is no requirement a project must have lasting value." * "The Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application must not be required to accompany the project proposal. At that point in the process, the Scout may not have enough information to complete the application." * "'Others' means at least two people besides the Scout. Helpers may be involved in Scouting or not, and of any age appropriate for the work." * "Projects must not be performed for Scouting America or its councils, districts, units, camps, and so forth. The unit's chartered organization, however, is certainly a good candidate, as are other, international Scouting organizations or other youth organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America." * "The project beneficiary need not be a registered nonprofit. Projects may not be of a commercial nature or for a business, but this is not meant to disallow community institutions that would otherwise be acceptable to the council or district advancement committee." ## Questions reviewers ask Use these to judge whether the tests can be met, not as a list of things the Scout must have written down. * **The project.** What will it accomplish? Who benefits, and why? When did the Scout first discuss it with the unit leader and the beneficiary? * **Present condition.** What is the situation or problem? Would pictures or a drawing make it clearer? * **Method.** What are the main steps? How will the Scout lead, and how will helpers be trained? How will debris and leftover materials be handled? Will permits be required? * **Materials and cost.** Do the materials support the tasks? Where will they come from? What will it cost, and where will the money come from? * **Helpers and schedule.** Roughly how many helpers, and how will they be recruited? What happens on each work day, and before the first one? * **Safety.** Are hazards identified? Will underground utilities need to be located? "Since an Eagle Scout service project is a unit activity, unit adult leadership has the same responsibility to assure safety in conducting a project as with any other unit activity." Are the policies in the [Guide to Safe Scouting](https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/) being followed? ## Fundraising From the *Guide to Advancement*, topic 9.0.2.10: > Projects may not be fundraisers. In other words, the candidate must not > stage an effort that primarily collects money, even if it is for a worthy > charity. Fundraising is permitted only for securing materials and > otherwise facilitating a project. Fundraising must be approved by the > local council except for contributions from the beneficiary, the > candidate, the chartered organization, and the candidate's parents, > guardians, or relatives, as well as the unit or individuals in the unit. > > Fundraising for an Eagle Scout service project must not be required of > any candidate. Whether or not fundraising takes place is the Scout's > decision based on project needs and sources of income, including the > benefitting organization and self-funding. Scouting America prefers, in > fact, that Scouts choose projects that can be done at little or no cost. Know your council's approval procedure so you can point Scouts to it. ## Outcomes A proposal review ends one of three ways: * **Approved.** The Scout may begin the project. * **Adjourned.** The proposal doesn't yet show the five tests can be met, but the fixes are ones the Scout can make to this project. The review adjourns and reconvenes once the proposal is updated. * **Not approved.** "If requested by the Scout or the Scout's parent or guardian, an explanation of a proposal rejection will be provided in writing, with a copy sent to the council advancement chair and staff advisor. It will indicate reasons for rejection and suggestions concerning what can be done to achieve approval." ## Coaches and changes after approval Whoever coaches the Scout, "coaches do not have the authority to dictate changes; withdraw approval that was previously granted, such as by the council or district; or take any other such directive action." "Note that project plans for an Eagle Scout service project are between the Scout and the beneficiary. Coaches do not approve project plans." On changes after approval, the Guide says: "Except under extreme circumstances, it is not acceptable for unit, or council or district, approval to be withdrawn, for example, if the project has been changed substantially. If Scouts decides to strike out on their own, that is their prerogative. At some point, responsibility must take over. The board of review decides whether planning was sufficient and if the requirement was met."