Friend-raising FAQs

The Friend-raising initiative celebrates BP Fellows who inspire others to join or deepen their commitment to the Foundation. When you help inspire a new BP Fellow to join the Fellowship, you will receive a Friend-raising credit. This means that a 30% match of the received gift of the new BP Fellow is added as a symbolic recognition credit to your donation total. It’s a way of saying “thank you” and showing appreciation for helping World Scouting grow. The credit is symbolic and it honours your effort in expanding our circle of support, recognising your contribution to growing our Fellowship, and helping you move through the Honours Programme Circles.

What is 'Friend-raising'? 
Friend-raising is a term for when existing BP Fellows inspire and invite new BP Fellows to the Foundation or when existing BP Fellows actively inspire an existing donor to increase their support to join a higher circle of giving. BP Fellows who successfully inspire new donations from their network are eligible for friend-raising credits under the approved model.

Who is eligible to receive 'Friend-raising' credits? 
All BP Fellows who have fully paid their original USD 10,000 contribution to the Fellowship (for YBPFs, the USD 1,000 contribution). 

How do Friend-raising Credits work? 
When an existing BP Fellow inspires and refers a new donor who joins the BP Fellowship, the referring Fellow receives a friend-raising credit match of 30% of the amount donated by the new BP Fellow. This match amount is added to the referring Fellow’s donation total. 

For example, Janet is a BP Fellow and has inspired and invited Michael to join the Fellowship as a new BP Fellow. Michael has pledged USD 10,000. Once Michael fulfils his pledge and pays the total amount of USD 10’000, Janet will receive 30% of that amount (USD 3000) as a friend-raising credit on her donation total. 

Are Friend-raising Credits a temporary / time-limited initiative? 
Friend-raising Credits are a permanent incentive and are applicable year-round.

When is the Friend-raising Credit applied? 
Friend-raising credits are applied only when the referred (new) BP Fellows pledge is fulfilled, and the funds are received by the Foundation. 

What if the new BP Fellow increases their donation later? 
If the referred BP Fellow donor significantly increases their contribution after fulfilling their original pledge (e.g. by joining a circle of the Honours Programme), the referring BP Fellow may receive additional friend-raising credit. Smaller increases are not considered to avoid administrative burden. 

Is this recognition retroactive? 
In exceptional cases, the Board Secretary — after consulting with the CEO — may grant retroactive friend-raising credits for major referrals (e.g. Regal Circle members) made before the policy came into force on 27 October 2024. 

Does a Friend-raising Credit count toward my BP Fellowship? 
BP Fellows are only eligible for the friend-raising credits once they fulfil their initial BP Fellowship pledge of USD 10,000.  
Young BP Fellows, who have fulfilled the initial USD 1’000 pledge, are eligible for the friend-raising credits. The credits will count toward the Young BP Fellowship pledge and the circles of the Honours Programme. 

Do Friend-raising Credits count toward the Honours Programme?
Once the initial BP Fellowship contribution of USD 10’000 is fulfilled, friend-raising credits will count toward the amounts required for the Honours Programme Circles. 

How do I refer someone to the BP Fellowship? 
You can refer a friend or family member by introducing them to the Foundation team or encouraging them to pledge directly. The referred BP Fellow must indicate who referred them. Contact us.

Will I be notified when Friend- raising credits are applied? 
You will receive a confirmation once the referred donor’s pledge is fulfilled and your friend-raising credit has been added to your donation total. 

How can I see how many Friend-raising Credits have been added to my account, or my donation totals? 
To learn more about your donation totals or the number of friend-raising credits you have received, please contact Flor Cagliero or any of our WSF staff team. 

How can I keep track of my BP Fellowship referrals? 
To find out the status of your friend-raising invitations and referrals, please contact Flor Cagliero or any of our WSF staff team. 

Who can I contact with questions? 
For more information or to let us know about a referral, please contact Flor Cagliero.