Service Corps of Retired Executives
{{Short description|American business advisory organization}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Service Corps of Retired Executives Association
|image = File:Service Corps of Retired Executives logo.png
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|abbreviation = SCORE
|motto =
|formation = 1964
|extinction =
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|purpose = Business education
Business mentoring
|headquarters = Herndon, Virginia
|location =
|region_served = United States
|membership =
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|leader_title = CEO
|main_organ =
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|affiliations =
|num_staff = 50
|num_volunteers = 10,000
|budget = $17,890,000 in 2021
|website = {{Official|score.org/}}
|remarks =
}}
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a non-profit organization of volunteer counselors who provide free mentoring, education programs, workshops, and webinars to small businesses.{{cite web |title=Service Corps of Retired Executivies (SCORE) |url=https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/service-corps-of-retired-executives-score.html |website=inc.com |publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC |access-date=13 April 2024}} SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) who administers a Congressional grant which provides SCORE with funding. SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, with over 233 chapters which are located in offices located throughout the United States. It is the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors.{{cite web |title=SCORE Business Mentoring |url=https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/score-business-mentoring |website=sba.gov |publisher=U.S. Small Business Administration |access-date=11 April 2024}}
History
SCORE was chartered by an Act of the U.S. Congress in 1964 to provide technical and managerial guidance to the business community, profit and not-for-profit organizations, and prospective
entrepreneurs through the use of volunteer counselors.{{cite news |title=Tops in Business |work=The Washington Daily News |date=1 October 1964}} On October 5, 1964, SBA administrator, Eugene P. Foley officially launched SCORE.Testing the Conventional Wisdom Regarding Volunteer Programs: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Service Corps of Retired Executives and the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2002, by Jeffrey L. Brudney
Beth Gazley, University of Georgia [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0899764002238099#page=6] Walter H. Channing of Detroit, Michigan, served as its first president. By 1968 over 1,000 small businesses per month were receiving free business advice from SCORE.{{cite news |last1=Ludcke |first1=G.L. |title=Retired Experts Are Ready To Assist New Business |work=The Buffalo News |issue=Sec I-9 |date=20 May 1968}} Since its founding it has helped over 10 million entrepreneurs.{{cite web |last1=Wingo |first1=Lauren |title=What Is SCORE and How Can You Use It To Help You Start a Business? |url=https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/human-resources/using-score-to-start-your-business |website=uschamber.com |date=4 March 2021 |publisher=U.S. Chamber Of Commerce |access-date=13 April 2024}}
A 2019 audit by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (OIG) was highly critical of SCORE, finding that SCORE officials did not effectively oversee SCORE's use of federal funds, inappropriately solicited donations for mentoring services, charged for publication material that did not include the required SBA acknowledgement statement and improperly managed funds used for cosponsored activities. The OIG recommended that the SBA improve its oversight and monitoring of SCORE's use of government funds, and its reporting of performance results. The OIG also recommended that the SBA recover $713,986 of unallowable and unsupported costs.U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General Audit of SBA's of the SCORE Association dated 25 April 2019 [https://www.oversight.gov/sites/default/files/oig-reports/SBA-OIG-Report-19-12.pdf]
By 2021 SCORE began to emphasize the importance diversity, equity and inclusion in business (DEI).{{cite journal |last1=Adams |first1=Montrie Rucker |title=SCORE: No Longer Your Old, Retired White Man's Organization |journal=C L Magazine |date=2021 |issue=Summer Fall Issue |url=https://issuu.com/gapcomm/docs/summer_fall_2021_f1/s/13751381 |access-date=14 April 2024}}
In 2023, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate, S-1896, entitled the SCORE Act of 2023 which would "overhaul SCORE to meet the needs of today’s dynamic economy and improve support for female and rural business owners".{{cite news |last1=Ernst |first1=Joni |title=Ranking Member Ernst Works to Overhaul, Refocus Failing SBA Entrepreneurship Program |url=https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-member-ernst-works-to-overhaul-refocus-failing-sba-entrepreneurship-program |access-date=14 April 2024 |work=US Senator Joni Ernst |date=8 June 2023}}
Operations
SCORE is governed by a 19 member board of directors.{{cite news |title=SCORE – Mentors to America's Small Businesses – Announces New Board Members |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/score--mentors-to-americas-small-businesses--announces-new-board-members-301952534.html |access-date=12 April 2024 |work=PR Newwire |date=10 Oct 2023}} It has a team of approximately 50 salaried employees at its headquarters in Herndon, Virginia who support the organization of over 10,000 volunteers{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=J.D. |title=Does traditional small business mentoring fit into today's entrepreneurship equation? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/does-traditional-small-business-mentoring-fit-into-todays-entrepreneurship-equation/2014/11/30/9d53f1d2-772e-11e4-bd1b-03009bd3e984_story.html |access-date=16 April 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=1 December 2014}} in 250 office locations throughout the U.S.
SCORE is primarily supported by a government grant, workshop fees and contributions. SCORE receives a majority of its financial support from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE is also supported by the SCORE Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization formed in 1996 to serve as the philanthropic arm of SCORE.{{cite web |title=National Bankers Association Foundation, with Wells Fargo Support, Will Underwrite SCORE Training and Education to Improve Founders' Financial Acumen |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/national-bankers-association-foundation-with-wells-fargo-support-will-underwrite-score-training-and-education-to-improve-founders-financial-acumen-6de313ab |website=marketwatch.com |publisher=MarketWatch |access-date=14 April 2024}}
SCORE is exempt from federal and state income taxes on income under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SCORE's website offers a comprehensive small business library with "how-to" guides, downloadable templates, checklists, articles, videos, infographics, and blogs. The website also hosts online workshops, and recorded webinars and interactive courses on demand.{{cite news |last1=Osman |first1=Maddy |title=SCORE Mentoring: A Free Resource for Entrepreneurs Seeking Growth |url=https://www.newsweek.com/score-mentoring-free-resource-entrepreneurs-seeking-growth-1829018 |access-date=12 April 2024 |work=Newsweek |date=28 September 2023}}
SCORE volunteer mentors give free and confidential business advice to business owners using different communication methods, including phone, video, email and in-person meetings.{{cite news |last1=Salemi |first1=Vicki |title=Volunteering — even from home — helps others and can boost your career |url=https://nypost.com/2023/11/19/lifestyle/volunteering-even-from-home-helps-others-and-can-boost-your-career/ |access-date=12 April 2024 |work=New York Post |issue=19 Nov 2023}} There are four types of SCORE volunteering opportunities: business mentors, workshop presenters, subject matter experts and chapter support roles{{cite news |last1=Collamer |first1=Nancy |title=How To Become A SCORE Small Business Mentor |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2020/03/02/how-to-become-a-score-small-business-mentor/?sh=42e4434f4ce5 |access-date=13 April 2024 |work=Forbes |date=2 March 2020}}
From time to time SCORE gives the Walter H Channing Award. Named in honor of its founding president, it is the highest honor for volunteer service within SCORE.
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Nellis, Elwyn A. (1989). A Score That Counts: The Story of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (First ed.). Service Corps of Retired, Philadelphia, PA. ISBN 978-0962346606.
External links
- [https://www.score.org/ SCORE Official Website]
- [https://www.score.org/score-for-all Guide to resources for Black, Women, Rural, Veteran, Hispanic and AANHPI Entrepreneurs]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Organizations established in 1964
Category:Business organizations based in the United States
Category:501(c)(3) organizations
Category:Organizations based in Fairfax County, Virginia
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Herndon, Virginia