About the Illinois 4-H Foundation

Chartered in 1954, the Illinois 4-H Foundation raises funds from individuals, corporations, and organizations that supplement state and county 4-H programs. In 1998, the Illinois 4-H Foundation operations were merged with the Office of Advancement in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The University of Illinois Foundation processes all gifts to the Illinois 4-H Foundation and manages all 4-H endowed funds.

Many of the Illinois 4-H Foundation donors were 4-H members themselves and want to "give back" to the organization that gave them high impact experiences as a young person and helped shape them into who they are today. There are also many current and former 4-H leaders, volunteers, and parents that support 4-H each year because they have personal experiences of seeing the positive youth development that 4-H provides. It is always rewarding to hear personal testimonies of how 4-H programs have provided a positive impact to young people, to families, and to communities.

Corporations, businesses, trade associations, and professional organizations support 4-H because they know they are investing in a program that produces young people who are better prepared to be effective leaders, contributing citizens, and value-added employees, and team members.

Gifts to the 4-H Annual Fund enhance 4-H experiences and create new opportunities for more youth to be positively impacted. Gifts to the 4-H Annual Fund add value to the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program by:

  • funding the Recognition for Excellence awards program;
  • providing Club Grants for community improvement and safety and County Grants for innovative programs and enrollment marketing initiatives;
  • subsidizing registration fees for 4-H camps, leadership conferences, volunteer leader training programs, and international exchanges;
  • assisting with travel and registration fees for National 4-H Congress (Atlanta, Georgia), National 4-H Conference (Washington, D.C.), and for State Judging & Quiz Bowl Teams that compete at national contests;
  • and sponsoring new 4-H project curriculum initiatives.