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More About the Michigan 4-H Foundation

Founded in 1952, the Michigan 4-H Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization based in East Lansing, Michigan that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development to prepare youth from all segments of society for meaningful and productive lives.

With assets near $8 million, the foundation’s primary focus is on:

Development and support of state and county 4-H youth programs.
Youth leadership development, support and recognition.
Support, maintenance and recognition of a trained 4-H adult and older teen volunteer corps.
Ownership, management and support of Kettunen Center, Michigan 4-H’s primary volunteer and youth development training center.
Development, maintenance and support of the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens and its educational programming.

These priorities are managed through the solicitation, management, distribution and stewardship of financial support from private individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to support the vision and mission of Michigan 4-H Youth Development. The foundation is led by a 30-member volunteer board of trustees who directs the work of the foundation’s executive director and staff members.

Support of State and County 4-H Youth Programs

The Michigan 4-H Foundation solicits private support for new and ongoing 4-H youth programming that demonstrates proven impact on the positive development of young people. This support is provided through foundation grants for innovative program development, for support of high profile 4-H program areas, for support of initiatives that address critical county and state youth development needs.

Youth Leadership Development, Support and Recognition

The Michigan 4-H Foundation provides opportunities for 4-H youth members to attend and be involved in leadership training opportunities, to attend college through scholarships recognizing their 4-H achievement, and to participate in international exchange experiences. The foundation also supports annual state and local 4-H youth recognition opportunities.

4-H Volunteer Development, Support and Recognition

The Michigan 4-H Foundation supports ongoing volunteer training and development opportunities for the more than 26,000 4-H volunteers who work with Michigan 4-H members in all 83 Michigan counties. These opportunities include support for development of new 4-H learning materials and access to local, regional, state and national volunteer training. The foundation is also committed to annual 4-H volunteer recognition through support of the “Award of the Clover” volunteer recognition provided by counties.

Support of Kettunen Center

The Michigan 4-H Foundation owns and operates Kettunen Center, the youth and volunteer training center located on 160 acres bordering Center Lake in Tustin, Michigan. Kettunen Center provides meeting and lodging facilities and meal service for day and residential training opportunities for groups of up to 200 people. In addition to its use in support of Michigan 4-H Youth Development, it also serves the retreat and training needs of other youth and adult non-profit organizations.

Support of the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens

The Michigan 4-H Foundation provides support for development and maintenance of the nationally acclaimed outdoor and the new indoor Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens. This support allows for development of ongoing and new educational programming within the gardens, ongoing and new garden related technology learning applications, theme area landscaping and facilities maintenance. The Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens are part of the Michigan State University Horticulture Demonstration Gardens.

Ways to Give to the Michigan 4-H Foundation

Gifts to the Michigan 4-H Foundation can be made in cash, appreciated stock and securities, charitable gift annuities, life insurance, retirement funds, bequests and gifts in kind. Cash gifts and pledges can be made by mail, online, by automatic bank fund transfer or through personal contact with a Michigan 4-H Foundation staff member or board of trustees member.

MSU employees can also make gifts to the Michigan 4-H Foundation through payroll deduction. Donors who are employed by matching gift corporations can increase the impact of their donation by naming the foundation as a matching gift recipient. Please contact the Michigan 4-H Foundation and your tax advisor and attorney for assistance in making non-cash gifts.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation, a public foundation headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, USA, receives charitable contributions and special grants for the development and support of 4-H youth programs in Michigan. The foundation is licensed to solicit charitable gifts by the state of Michigan. (MICS 2751) The Michigan 4-H Foundation is committed to financial accountability. Read our Statement of Financial Accountability or view the foundation's GuideStar listing for nonprofit accountability including financial data and IRS Form 990. The foundation’s annual, independent audit and a report containing percentages of charitable contributions expended on program administration and fundraising is available by request.

For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, contact:

Michigan 4-H Foundation
240 Spartan Way
East Lansing, MI 48824-6005
Phone: 517-353-6692
Email: info@mi4hfdtn.org
Web: www.mi4hfdtn.org