4-H Participant Sponsorship Request Form

About

The Michigan 4-H Foundation has reallocated the 4-H Participation Fee Sponsorship Fund to offer a one-time opportunity beginning in spring 2026. 4-H staff may apply for mini-grants to provide discounts for 4-H youth registering for 4-H learning experiences.

Purpose

To help remove financial barriers for 4-H families by reducing registration costs for youth to attend 4-H learning experiences at the county, regional, state or national level.

Examples of qualifying events include:

• Local day or overnight 4-H camps
• Statewide/regional 4-H workshops
• 4-H Winterfest
• 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp
• 4-H Exploration Days
• 4-H Capitol Experience
• World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute
• 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp
• National 4-H Congress
• National 4-H Conference
• 4-H Ignite

Eligibility and Criteria

• Who can request funding: 4-H program coordinators or 4-H staff coordinating national 4-H
• Funding amount: Up to $300 per county for 4-H youth registration fees (volunteers are not eligible).
• Individual discounts: Staff determine individual youth discount amounts (e.g., one youth receives one $300 discount, six youth each receive $50 discounts, ten youth each receive $30 discounts).
• One-time use: Once a county’s funds are depleted, no additional funding is available.
• Deadline: Requests must be submitted at least 14 days before the event registration deadline.
• Disbursement: When possible, a discount coupon code will be provided to reduce online registration fees directly for families. Alternatively, an MSU account number may be provided for direct payment. Funds will be distributed after the event and coordinated with the event coordinator.
• Timing: All funding must be spent by Aug. 31, 2027.