Background & History

Background

4-H is the youth development program of the land grant colleges. It was instituted in 1914 with the enactment of the Smith-Lever Act and is designed to bring the latest information and research from the college directly to local communities. In Illinois, that is University of Illinois Extension. In Chicago, 4-H came to the Back of the Yards area in 1957 with original funding from Sears Roebuck & Co., Coats and Clark, Campbell Soup and the Chicago Community Trust.

In 1974 the Chicago/Cook County 4-H Foundation was chartered to expand and strengthen funding for 4-H youth and volunteer leaders who want to improve their leadership, citizenship and other skills through hands-on learning. Educational programs with practical information are available to all youngsters from 5 to 19. In keeping with the 4-H motto, "Making the Best Better," the Chicago/Cook County 4-H Foundation provides funding so that over 47,000 youth in Chicago and suburbs can build their skills using one of the many projects available. These curricular materials are developed by University of Illinois educators.

Mission Statement and Strategic Plan

Through 4-H, boys and girls receive practical education and personal support that makes a critical difference in their growth and development. Our mission as trustees of the Chicago/Cook County 4-H Foundation is to obtain resources 4-H needs to support its programs that help young people learn skills for multicultural living.

Cooperative Funding Sources

Funding for 4-H comes from multiple sources today, with the Cook County Board of Commissioners providing the largest sum. The Chicago/Cook County 4-H Foundation makes the second largest local contribution for 4-H programs at $75,000-$100,000. Local dollars help to pay salaries of unit assistants and community workers who recruit, train, and support thousands of volunteers under the supervision of the 4-H/CES Unit and Center Educators.

Grants received from corporations and foundations make it possible for professionals, community workers and 4-H volunteers to reach youth in the city and suburbs. 4-H/Extension estimates that volunteers provide $3,200,000 in donated time. Volunteers have always been the backbone of 4-H, providing the positive adult leadership and role modeling that youth have always needed, and now need more than ever.