Georgia 4-H Foundation Greetings: 2025 Cloverleaf Magazine

Words from Adam Hammond

For nearly eight decades, the Georgia 4-H Foundation has worked diligently to uphold its mission of supporting the programs and facilities of Georgia 4-H.

During that time, we’ve continued to innovate—building support for Georgia 4-H’s proven workforce-readiness programs while cultivating meaningful relationships with stakeholders who thoughtfully invest in our state’s youth. This year is no different.

Throughout FY 2025, the Foundation team partnered with incredible supporters to break fundraising records and deepen the impact of our work. Georgia 4-H Foundation donors contributed more than $3.4 million this year, marking the second consecutive year our organization surpassed benchmarks. This total is more than a million dollars above our 10-year average, and your generosity allows the Foundation to continue building a solid base of support for the future.

We added five new scholarships, surpassed 105 endowments, and held a record $4 for 4-H Day, which brought in more than $133,000. With your help, the Foundation also hosted the organization’s first million-dollar event—the 2025 Georgia 4-H Gala.

Last fiscal year, our team held more than 200 donor meetings across the East Coast and oversaw the doubling of our investment portfolio over eight years, which now surpasses $11 million. We supported county programs through tailored fundraising appeals, professional development engagement, and new investment opportunities.

The Foundation remains committed to building strategic and sustainable systems that maximize your investment for continued growth and impact. Whether you’re making an annual gift, creating an endowment, planning for your estate giving, or leveraging your Required Minimum Distribution, we’re here to support your philanthropic goals.

Your meaningful support allows us to change lives by building pathways of advancement. Thank you for making a lasting difference.

Sincerely,
Adam Hammond
Executive Director, Georgia 4-H Foundation

Words from Ken Jones

Georgia 4-H is thriving and so is the Foundation.

This year was very successful for the Foundation as we raise funds to support the 4-H program and help 4-H’ers become “Beyond Ready.” It is such an honor to serve as the Chairman of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

The work our trustees and dedicated staff have done over the past year has been historic. We have been able to continue to expand our reach by bringing in new donors and getting many 4-H alumni reacquainted and involved. This translates directly to success in fundraising – every new donor sparks a change for the better. Every new project sponsor enables more 4-H’ers to participate, grow, and eventually become an inspiration for the next generation.

I still remember many of my 4-H heroes and 4-H supporters from my youth. Today, as my wife and I make contributions to support Georgia 4-H, I am reminded of the days when I benefited directly from someone else’s contribution. Those heroes have never faded from my memory.

Giving to 4-H is a pleasure, because the benefits are visible every time I go to a 4-H event and see today’s 4-H’ers competing, being recognized, supporting each other, and having the time of their lives in the process. This is not a unique sentiment to me. I hear that same theme from adult volunteers, donors, and project sponsors. For any active 4-H members reading this, I hope you realize what a tremendous opportunity you have. For any of the donors reading this, I hope you realize what a tremendous impact you make every day in the lives of our 4-H members.

The impact of donations is readily apparent; however, major impact can come from a word of encouragement or empathy from a trusted adult or a peer. The smallest gesture can change history. I encourage everyone to go out and support Georgia 4-H not just with financial contributions, but with your time and talents, too.

Thank you for your support of Georgia 4-H,
Ken Jones
Chairman, Georgia 4-H Foundation