County 4-H Programs
County 4-H Designated Gift Program
The Michigan 4-H Foundation routinely accepts and administers charitable contributions designated by the donor in support of a specific Michigan county 4-H program. The benefits of foundation management of county designated gifts include donor recognition and stewardship opportunities, tax benefits, financial accountability and record keeping.
County Funds (Term Endowments)
The foundation manages county funds held in agency that provide annual support for local 4-H programs. These funds are established as term endowments and can be invested with gifts of $10,000 or more. Funds may provide support for local 4-H programming, post-secondary scholarships, youth awards, grants or a specific program area.
The donor/group can choose their investment portfolio option: either the Capital Preservation Fund or the Capital Growth Fund. The interest earnings are then distributed to the respective county MSU Extension office.
The advantages include:
- Interest earnings that are typically higher because the foundation’s investment potential is higher than that of a single fund investment.
- Once the fund is established, it can receive donations from any source interested in a county 4-H program. These funds are not established as perpetual endowments; the corpus may be used under certain circumstances.
These counties have established existing county funds: Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Missaukee, Muskegon, Oakland, Otsego, Schoolcraft, St. Joseph, Tuscola and Wexford.
Endowed Funds for County Support
Endowed gifts can be designated to support a specific county 4-H program. These perpetual funds are established with a minimum gift of $30,000 and the corpus is invested permanently. The interest earnings from endowed funds may provide support for local 4-H programming, post-secondary scholarships, youth awards, grants or a specific program area.
- Learn more about endowment funds in general.
- Learn more about county 4-H endowment funds.
Counties with existing general 4-H endowments are: Allegan, Arenac, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton-Keweenaw, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Macomb, Mason, Midland, Montcalm, Oakland, Ogemaw, Osceola, Ottawa, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Washtenaw and Wayne.
Additional gifts are welcome to grow these funds.
For more information about establishing a term or permanent endowment with the Michigan 4-H Foundation, contact Abbey Miller at (517) 353-4433 or emailabmiller@msu.edu.
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4-H started with dogs but has transformed into something much more. I can be an active member in group projects and I have become a better person altogether. I am so grateful to have had a 4-H experience that impacted me so much. I don’t know what my life would be without the wonderful opportunity of 4-H.
— Jordan Davis, Berrien County
Sponsor a Brick
Become a permanent part of the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden by sponsoring a brick! Bricks can be donated in your name; in honor of a family, friend or club; or in memory of loved ones. Learn more: Sponsor a brick!.