INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana 4-H Foundation was created to support the state’s 4-H program by providing program, scholarship and endowment assistance to 4-H youth, educators and volunteers, according to the foundation’s executive director.

“The Indiana 4-H Foundation seeks to be a thriving foundation that builds partnerships to secure financial support, advocacy and promotion of Indiana 4-H youth development now and for generations to come,” Shelly Bingle explained. Last year, the foundation provided more than $500,000 in 4-H program and scholarship funds in all of Indiana’s 92 counties.

Among the statewide programs the foundation supports are annual leadership training programs, scholarships, interest-free educational loans, volunteer development and training, and adult volunteer recognition, she noted. The foundation was chartered in 1961.

“The Indiana 4-H youth development mission is to provide real-life educational opportunities that develop young people who positively impact their community and world,” Bingle said. “4-H serves youth in rural, urban and suburban communities in Indiana. 4-H youth are tackling the nation’s top issues, from global food security, climate change and sustainable energy to childhood obesity and food safety.”

4-H offers a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) opportunities through out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs, clubs and camps, she pointed out. Those opportunities, from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, environmental protection and computer science, improve the state’s ability to compete in key scientific fields and take on the leading challenges of the 21st century, Bingle added.

The foundation is funded solely by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, she said. Gifts may be made from the foundation website (www.in4h.org/my-best-gift/donate/) with a credit card. 

“A strong 4-H youth development program is one sign of a healthy community and 4-H programs give local youth so many important skills and opportunities,” said Eric Wolfe, a foundation board member. “June and I wanted to give back and make sure 4-H in Putnam County would continue long into the future with the hope that any child wanting to take advantage of the 4-H program can do so.”

Two interest-free loan programs – the Bob Amick Loan Fund and the Myers Family 4-H Loan – are available for Purdue University juniors and seniors.

The foundation will be honoring this year’s YES Grant recipients with a display inside the 4-H Exhibit Hall during the Indiana State Fair, Bingle said. Accomplishment Scholarship recipients will be shown on the screens in the building.

YES Grants are intended to give youth-led projects a needed financial boost to get off the ground and start making a difference, according to the foundation. This year, 23 YES Grants totaling $21,606.30 have been awarded.