Build the Foxhole Scout

Scout Build Restricted Fund

The Scout Build is a restricted-fund project of The Foxhole Project created to develop a safe, reliable, and capable lead and support vehicle for veteran retreats, community events, outdoor programming, field support, and veteran engagement.

The 1964 International Harvester Scout 80 is personally owned by Founder and Executive Director Craig Rauwolf and is made available to The Foxhole Project under a Board-approved Vehicle Use Agreement. Ownership of the vehicle does not transfer to the nonprofit.

Donations designated for the Scout Build are held and administered by The Foxhole Project and may be used only for approved mission-related expenses associated with the vehicle, including safety, reliability, structural work, recovery capability, expedition equipment, documentation, testing, and program readiness.

Nonprofit funds will not be used to support personal, family, farm, or unrelated business use of the vehicle.

Campaign Goal: $50,000

This is a project funding target rather than a promise that the vehicle will cost exactly $50,000 to complete. The final cost will depend on inspection findings, component condition, engineering decisions, fabrication requirements, donated products and services, shipping, taxes, and market pricing.

Donated parts, materials, fabrication, professional services, and other approved in-kind contributions directly reduce the cash required to complete the project. Funds not required for one phase may be applied to other approved Scout Build expenses consistent with the restricted purpose of the campaign.

Phase 1: Safety & Structure — $5,000

Funds documentation, inspection, measurement, shop and fire safety, structural and corrosion assessment, body/frame evaluation, seating and occupant-protection planning, and accountability systems. The goal is to establish a verified baseline before major parts are purchased or modifications begin.

Phase 2: Control & Reliability — $10,000

Funds steering, brakes, electrical distribution, battery and charging systems, essential lighting, fuel-system safety, plumbing, filtration, and related reliability work. These systems establish the core control and operating safety required before road and expedition use.

Phase 3: Backcountry Capability — $12,500

Funds axle repair or replacement where justified, suspension, wheels and tires, gearing, rated recovery points, winch mounting and equipment, jacking and tire-service equipment, and needed underbody protection. The objective is dependable backcountry support, not an extreme recreational crawler.

Phase 4: Powertrain & Range — $15,000

Funds the engine, transmission, transfer case, clutch or controls, mounts, adapters, driveshafts, cooling, fuel capacity and delivery, exhaust, charging integration, and related fabrication. Final components will be selected only after weight, packaging, gearing, cooling, range, serviceability, and compatibility are verified.

Phase 5: Mission Ready — $7,500

Funds heating and defrost, wipers and mirrors, occupant and cargo systems, communications, navigation, medical and fire-equipment mounting, field tools and spares, alignment, weighing, inspection, road testing, mountain testing, trail testing, recovery testing, and expedition validation.

A completed vehicle is not automatically mission ready. Before official programming, the Scout must be documented, tested, and demonstrated to operate safely and reliably under representative mission conditions.

Why This Build Matters

Every contribution to the Scout Build helps develop a practical, accountable vehicle designed to support connection, camaraderie, preparedness, and safe outdoor experiences for veterans and their families.

The Scout is being built around safety, reliability, serviceability, and mission capability, not appearance or unnecessary modification. Parts and systems are evaluated for their contribution to the complete vehicle before they are approved for the build.

Protection of Donor Intent

If the Vehicle Use Agreement is terminated or the Scout is no longer available for The Foxhole Project's mission use, any remaining restricted Scout Build funds will be redirected only to Board-approved vehicle, transportation, safety, expedition, or outdoor-program support that is reasonably consistent with the original charitable purpose and donor intent.