The Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees approved a new 10-year strategic plan in early 2021.

In 2019, after the completion of the 2011-2018 Campaign for Michigan 4-H’s Future, the Michigan 4-H Foundation undertook the process of developing a new strategic plan. Sara Stuby, board president at the time, assigned a task force of several Michigan 4-H Foundation trustees, led by trustee Julie Chapin, to identify a goal to guide the organization’s work for the next 10 years.

“It was important that the board developed a new strategic plan to provide a road map for the future,” said Julie Chapin, Strategic Planning Taskforce chair. “I was pleased to lead this effort, which will provide the board with direction and focus in our fundraising and partnership efforts.”

The Strategic Plan overall long-term goal is for the Michigan 4-H Foundation to provide 50 percent of the annual state 4-H programming budget to support the 4-H learning experiences and training for youth and adults in the next 10 years. Examples of statewide 4-H learning experiences may include events, programs, workshops, trainings, innovative programming efforts, 4-H Children’s Gardens programming, county and club grants, scholarships, etc.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation currently supports 36 percent of the $1.97 million program budget for Michigan 4-H Youth Development (including statewide and county programming budget).

“We are fortunate to have a foundation board that is so dedicated to investing in the future of 4-H youth development,” said Jacob DeDecker, state leader for Michigan 4-H. “We look forward to continuing and strengthening our partnership over the next decade.”

The foundation’s board committees identified the following priorities to help accomplish the Strategic Plan. The board committees responsible for these steps also have outlined plans with specific action steps to help meet these goals.

Michigan 4-H Foundation Strategic Plan Priorities

1. Create a reserve fund to a level of $400,000 or the equivalent of one year of foundation expenses. (Finance Committee)
2. Michigan 4-H Foundation has investment assets that generate annual support for Michigan 4-H at the state, county and local levels. (Full board, Resource Development and Finance committees)
3. 100% of counties have a local endowment to support 4-H programming. (Resource Development Committee)
4. Grow investment and endowment funds. (Finance and Resource Development Committees)
5. Operating expenses of the Michigan 4-H Foundation are funded by endowment interest, rather than administration on fees on new gifts. (Finance Committee)
6. Michigan 4-H Foundation serves a fiduciary for county grants of $5,000 or less.
7. Increase the diversity and capacity of the Michigan 4-H Foundation board. (Board Development Committee and full board)
8. Equip Michigan 4-H Foundation board members to advocate for and promote Michigan 4-H programming. (Board Development and Program committees)
9. Educate MSU Extension staff members about the Michigan 4-H Foundation and its role in helping build support and resources for Michigan 4-H at the local, county and state levels. (Program Committee and full board)