Michigan 4-H Foundation launches Beyond Ready Campaign to prepare youth for the future
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EmailStatewide fundraising effort seeks to expand access to life-changing 4-H experiences for Michigan youth
At the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration on Saturday, October 3, the Michigan 4-H Foundation announced the public launch of the Michigan 4-H Beyond Ready Campaign, a bold fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $12 million by 2032 to help prepare Michigan youth for the future.
"Today's youth face a rapidly changing world that requires resilience, adaptability and confidence," said Mary Draves, co-chair of the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s Beyond Ready Campaign Committee. "Michigan 4-H is uniquely equipped to support youth in developing these critical skills and more. The Beyond Ready Campaign will provide long-term, stable funding that allows Michigan 4-H to continue offering opportunities and experiences that prepare young people to face challenges and thrive, no matter what the future may bring.”
Research consistently demonstrates the positive impact of 4-H participation. Young people involved in 4-H are more likely to develop leadership skills, contribute to their communities and gain confidence in their ability to succeed. The Michigan 4-H Beyond Ready campaign will help ensure future generations of Michigan youth can experience these same benefits by investing in the programs, people and possibilities that bring 4-H to life.
The campaign focuses on five priority areas:
- 4-H educational opportunities and skills development;
- Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens;
- Health, well-being and belonging;
- Emerging needs; and
- Endowment investments, including county endowments for localized impact.
The campaign also includes a planned giving goal of securing 40 planned gifts by 2032, helping to create a lasting legacy of support for Michigan 4-H.
"Today’s young people will soon lead our communities, workforce and future,” said Joe Hune, Michigan 4-H Foundation trustee and co-chair of the Beyond Ready Campaign Committee. “This campaign will ensure Michigan 4-H can continue to provide life-changing experiences, deliver innovative programs, support diverse learning needs, and help youth from all communities across Michigan become Beyond Ready for future success through 4-H.”
Saturday’s public launch builds on strong momentum from the campaign’s leadership phase. Already $7.3 million, nearly 62% of the $12 million goal, has been raised through more than 5,200 gifts from nearly 2,200 donors. Michigan 4-H alumni, volunteers, families, partners and friends are invited to join the effort to help build a generation that is Beyond Ready through Michigan 4-H.
“We’re incredibly grateful to those donors who have already invested in the Beyond Ready Campaign,” said Thomas Coon, Michigan 4-H Foundation president. “Michigan 4-H has been making a difference in the lives of youth for nearly 120 years. Through this campaign, we can help to ensure it continues to do so for generations to come, creating young people who are ready to lead, build, serve and take on whatever the future holds.”
Every gift to the Beyond Ready Campaign is an investment in Michigan youth and their future. There are many ways to participate, including one-time gifts, multi-year commitments, IRA gifts and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), gifts of stock, planned/estate gifts, or donations of property, grain or other assets. Together, these investments will help expand opportunities, build confidence, spark curiosity and prepare more Michigan youth to be beyond ready for life, leadership and success.
To learn more about the Beyond Ready Campaign or make a gift to invest in the future of Michigan 4-H, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org/beyondready.
About the Michigan 4-H Foundation
The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the mission and vision of Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development statewide.
