MSU Extension 4-H

An endowment is a fund that is permanently restricted – the corpus of the fund is invested and held intact, and the earnings from the fund are used for program support. Endowments provide a dependable and perpetual source for funding, that combined with other annual support, assures that 4-H opportunities are always available.

Nicholie Ashcraft, of Harrison, created the 4-H Staff Development Endowment Fund. This fund will support 4-H staff volunteer management training to prepare 4-H staff members in how to best recruit, train, nurture and recognize volunteers.

Ashcraft believes that since the training of volunteers is provided by staff, staff need to be better equipped to provide streamlined training across the state. This endowment will help fund the most recent, cutting-edge staff training.

Ashcraft, a Clare County 4-H alumna, served as a 4-H agent in Gratiot County and later as a statewide 4-H program leader. The latter part of her career focused on 4-H program evaluation in six states.

This past summer, Basil and Coralene Bloss, of Howell, established The Echo Endowment Fund, named for Coralene’s first calf, Echo. Through Livingston County 4-H, Coralene and Echo had great adventures participating in 4-H and at the Fowlerville Fair. Coralene also participated in 4-H Dairy Judging and won both the Michigan 4-H State Home Improvement Demonstration Contest and the Michigan 4-H Public Speaking Contest, winning trips to Washington, D.C., and to National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.

With this endowment, the Blosses look forward to future generations having similar opportunities to grow and expand their skills and life opportunities. The fund supports 4-H livestock or dairy judging or other programs that encourage and provide opportunity for 4-H members to develop their knowledge of livestock and refine their public speaking skills.

These newly established endowment funds will not only support 4-H but also provide permanent tribute to the donors. Building local, state and facility endowment funds is a priority for The Campaign for 4-H’s Future.