WISCONSIN 4-H FOUNDATION INC

Central to the 4-H program in 1914 and today is youth development. Studies suggest a link between positive youth development and the developmental assets associated with youth programs—especially programs that go beyond simple extracurricular activities to focus specifically on promoting youth development. The “Big Three" features of effective youth-serving programs are:
• Positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults.
• Activities that build important life skills.
• Opportunities for youth to use these life skills as both participants in and as leaders of valued community activities.

4-H strives to develop life skills in youth to help them become competent and contributing citizens in the communities where they live now and in the future. To that end, nearly 22,000 volunteers are engaged with staff to assist in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating the educational program designed with youth in the communities where they live. There is an intentional focus to partner with community stakeholders to create communities that are welcoming to youth and provide opportunities for growth and development. The following outcomes address the areas of youth, adult and community as foundational topics to 4-H youth development in Wisconsin:
• Youth effectively apply life skills through participation in a variety of projects and activities. Life skills include creativity and innovation; critical thinking; communication; collaboration; self-direction; cross-cultural skills, and contribution.
• Adults appropriately apply the best practices that result in an environment that promotes positive youth development.
• Adults plan, implement and evaluate learning opportunities that intentionally and effectively promote like skill development in youth.
• Communities and organizations build capacity and take collective action that supports positive youth develop.

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is a statewide, charitable organization that exists to provide support to the Wisconsin 4-H program. The mission of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is to develop resources and connections to invest in the positive development of 4-H youth.

4-H exists in all 72 counties in Wisconsin. With 2016 membership of nearly 150,000 youth, 4-H is one of the largest youth-serving organization in Wisconsin. About one-third of Wisconsin 4-H members are from a farm, rural area or small town. The balance (about 95,000 kids) is from small cities, suburbs and metro areas. Approximately 74% of youth served by Wisconsin 4-H are in elementary school, 18% are older adolescents of middle school age and 8% are high school age.

Nearly 22,000 people volunteer to assist in the delivery of 4-H programming across Wisconsin. Some of these volunteers work directly with youth through face-to-face contact. Others work indirectly through committees, boards and advisory panels. Finally, some volunteers are youth, who assist in organizing, managing and teaching other youth.

The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation provides funding to support the 4-H program in Wisconsin, and while current funding levels allow for continuation of established and successful programming, funding levels to not address new and emerging needs and opportunities.