Million Dollar Night: 2025 Georgia 4-H Foundation Gala

A Record-Breaking Fundraiser

The 2025 Georgia 4-H Foundation Gala soared past previous attendance and fundraising records, with nearly 800 guests in attendance and $1,039,436 in contributions.

Held on August 23, 2025 at the Classic Center in Athens, the elegant event provided an opportunity for donors, alumni, organizations, elected officials, and university leadership to gather in support of the premier youth development organization in the state of Georgia. Guests enjoyed a pre-event reception, a silent auction, dinner, a formal program, and a live auction.
More than 200 sponsors made contributions at levels ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Immense generosity of Georgia 4-H donors and a special challenge-based sponsorship from Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher made this first-ever million-dollar figure a possibility.

In addition to celebrating 4-H and raising crucial financial support, the Gala includes the presentation of the Georgia 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award was established in 2001 to recognize individuals who have dedicated significant time, energy, and resources to Georgia 4-H and is considered the highest honor bestowed by the organization. After a lifetime of service in various roles throughout Extension, Arch Smith was selected as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. The Georgia 4-H Foundation extends gratitude to gala co-chairs Laura Meadows and David Black, as well as to the many committee members that helped make the event
possible.

Georgia’s EMCs generously supported this event and the entire Georgia 4-H program as the gala’s presenting sponsor.

A Lifetime of Achievement: Arch Smith

Arch Smith has been in continual service to Georgia 4-H and UGA Extension for 40 years. His tenure began as a Carroll County Extension Agent in 1985 and went on to include serving as the director of Rock Eagle 4-H Center, the
executive director of the Georgia 4-H Foundation, and Associate State 4-H leader. He was named the eighth Georgia State 4-H Leader in 2010 and retired from that role in 2022. Since retirement, Arch has graciously accepted roles as the Interim Southeast District Extension Director and the Interim Associate Dean for Extension.

After growing up as a Warren County 4-H’er and serving as a Rock Eagle 4-H Center camp counselor, Arch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from University of Georgia and a Master of Public Administration degree from West Georgia College and State University. His major contributions to Georgia 4-H are nearly innumerable; highlights include directing more than $75,000,000 in major improvements and additions at Georgia’s six 4-H centers and expanding the Georgia 4-H Foundation donor base and fundraising efforts. In addition to leading hundreds of employees, he
has been a mentor to thousands of Georgia youth. Arch has also worked to preserve Georgia history in the context of 4-H. He solidified the conservation of the Rock Hawk effigy in Putnam County, formally recognized the historical
contributions of the Dublin 4-H Center, and collaborated with author Ina Hopkins to publish the Rock Eagle: Centerpiece of Georgia 4-H history book. His work with the Dublin 4-H Center resulted in its placement on the National Register of Historic Places.