Mass 4-H Foundation

Donor Opportunities

To make a tax-deductible online donation, click on the button below.

To donate by mail, please send a check payable to the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation, 22 Eliot Street, Ashland, MA 01721-2208.

Will your contribution to the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation really make a difference?

Just see for yourself. Last year, contributions from concerned people like yourself helped the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation provide $265,000 in support to over 65 valuable 4-H programs and projects. Some of the activities funded by the Foundation include:

1.   Grants for 4-H Clubs and 4-H Club Kits for All New 4-H Clubs

You can help provide support that goes directly to 4-H clubs across the Commonwealth.  Currently, there are close to 400 4-H clubs that have the opportunity to submit grant applications to the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation.  Clubs use that money to pay for project supplies, curriculum, field trips and other resources to support their project work.  In addition, the Foundation provides a new 4-H club kit and curriculum to every new 4-H club in the state.  4-H clubs are grateful for this support. Here is what a few Plymouth County volunteer leaders have to say:

2.   Support for 4-H Science Programs

The majority of 4-H clubs have science-based projects – these include rocketry, robotics and animal science.  The Tufts Study of Positive Youth Development has found that 4-H members were more likely than non-4-H members to report that they do well in science related subjects and that they plan to pursue a science career.  This is important because the United States is not producing the number of scientists needed.  Your donation will help to support important learning experiences for 4-H members in science including workshops across the state in topics such as alternative energy, robotics and engineering.  In addition, 4-H offers science programs on the UMass Amherst campus in topics such as veterinary science, dairy science, entomology and astrophotography.

3.   Support for 4-H in Urban Areas

Financial support is critical as 4-H strives to offer programs in urban areas.  Your donation will help to provide needed project resources in urban settings such as rocket launchers, engineering kits, solar powered toy cars and 4-H curricula for members and volunteers.  In addition, financial support is needed for program scholarships to allow urban youth to attend statewide 4-H programs such as the 4-H Science, Technology and Engineering Camp held on the UMass Amherst campus.

4.   4-H Camperships

Your donation will assist in providing youth with financial support to attend one of five 4-H camps across the state.  4-H camps offer wonderful outdoor learning opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.  These camping experiences are especially important because they are offered in the summer when there is not an abundance of learning opportunities available to youth.   The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation sponsors some camperships for low-income youth that would not otherwise be able to attend a summer camp. 

5.   Support for 4-H Volunteers

More than 1000 volunteers work across the Commonwealth to deliver 4-H club programs to youth.  Your donation will enable the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation to continue to recognize the important work that these volunteers do by supporting volunteer support, training and recognition, including the annual Massachusetts 4-H Volunteer Forum.  Won’t you help support 4-H volunteers like Cathy Acampora who states, “There is nothing like watching a child reach his/her full potential and the pass on their knowledge to other kids.  This is better than any other experience I have ever had.”

6.   4-H Curriculum

4-H members “learn by doing” through experiential experiences.  4-H curricula is available in over 100 areas and provides important educational guidance to both leaders and members.  Your donation will help the Foundation provide free curriculum to every new 4-H volunteer and assure that seven 4-H resource libraries located across the state are stocked with the latest curriculum for use by 4-H Educators and volunteers.

 7.   Conference Opportunities for 4-H Teens

Teen 4-H members may apply to be delegates to attend National 4-H Conference or 4-H Congress.  National 4-H Conference is the premier youth development conference of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and is held in Chevy Chase, Maryland and Washington D.C.  National 4-H Congress is held in Atlanta, Georgia and youth delegates attend workshops and participate in community service activities including work on the second 4-H “clover house” for Habitat for Humanity.  All delegates must contribute toward the costs of these conferences but the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation provides important financial support to defray some of the cost to delegates, as well as funding for the delegation chaperones.

8.   Massachusetts 4-H Visual Presentation and Public Speaking Program

Youth learn critical oral communication skills through the 4-H Visual Presentation program.  Results of an evaluation of this program showed that 91% of parents believed their child’s participation in this program made their child more confident and 71% believed that it would help their children succeed in school.  Your donation will help the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation continue to support the annual State Visual Presentation competition.