Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation
The Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide financial resources and program support for Arapahoe County 4-H youth and leaders on a sustaining basis. The Foundation was founded in 1967 by a group of Charter Members and is overseen by a 15-member Board of Trustees.
Overview
The Board holds two fundraisers each year and maintains stable investments in order to support and enhance the 4-H program in the following areas:
- Sponsorships for:
- Education, recognition and leadership opportunities for 4-H leaders and youth
- County contest prizes and judges
- State-level contest entry fees
- Award ceremonies and annual events
- Recruitment and retention of 4-H members and leaders
- Matching grants for club fundraisers
- Financial need grants for 4-H families
- Scholarships for 4-H members’ higher education
- Annual award for Important Volunteer of the Year
Mission statement
The mission of the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation is to provide financial resources and program support for 4-H youth and leaders of Arapahoe County on a sustaining basis.
As a result, we:
- Provide education, recognition and leadership opportunities for both leaders and youth
- Provide scholarships
- Financially enhance the scope of 4-H programs beyond that which public funds can provide
- Work with Colorado State University Cooperative Extension to promote solid research-based 4-H programs.
- Provide support for the recruitment and retention of 4-H members and leaders
Additional information
The Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation supports our local 4-H program in the following areas:
Participant costs
- Partial funding for State 4-H Conference delegates
- Entry fees for the Colorado State Fair Contests
- Partial funding for National 4-H Conference
- Partial funding for Youth Fest
- Partial funding for Western Round-Up
- Partial funding for Citizenship Washington Focus
- Registration fees for District Senator, Alternate Senator and partial funding for first-time attendees to the Leadership Development Conference
- Other special 4-H Leader Trainings
- Colorado 4-H Youth Fund Donation
Contest prizes and entry fees
- Entry fees for State 4-H contests
- Entry fees for the Colorado State Fair contests
- Judges fees and prizes for the county-level contests
- Prizes for the “Tools of the Project” Awards, given to 4-Hers who earn champion and reserve champion in their chosen projects units at the Arapahoe County Fair so they can continue in their chosen projects
Event sponsorship
- Annual Foundation Breakfast and Awards Ceremony for the Important Volunteer of the Year (IVY) awardees and Foundation Scholarship recipients
- Annual Achievement Program awards and reception
- Arapahoe County Fair Grand Champion Awards Program BBQ
- One-time donations for unique events
Recruitment and retention of 4-H members and leaders
- Promotional ads for recruitment
- Special programming for members
The Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation knows how hard it is to raise money. We support the hard work of our Arapahoe County 4-H clubs by matching money raised up to $500 per club. There are a limited amount of funds available per 4-H year (October 1 to September 30). Applications are reviewed on a first-apply, first-served basis.
Growin’ Greens Matching Grant Guidelines:
- The money from the fundraiser (and the matching funds) must go to support a 4-H sponsored project at the club or county level. It cannot be used for individuals.
- All projects, activities or member trips supported by these funds must be related to 4-H and should support 4 H group projects, educational activities, community service projects or social events which involve 4-H members.
- The club is responsible for raising “new” money (i.e., it cannot be money that comes from a club’s savings account). Whatever money is raised by the club will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $500 per Arapahoe County 4-H Club per year.
- Money received from the Arapahoe County Wreath Sales activities is not eligible for this program.
- Action Plans for the fundraising activity must be submitted by May 1st of the 4-H year in which money will be raised and used.
- The money raised and matched must be used within the 4-H year of the application. If the club does not complete the project as planned (see below), the money must be returned to the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation. The money will be provided to the club after the Action Plan goals have been completed.
- The Action Plan must be signed by a Club Leader.
- An Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation trustee will be assigned as a mentor to each club to assist in the Action Plan completion process.
Pre-Activity Action Plan:
Submit an Action Plan for the fundraising activity that contains the following:
- Club name
- Reason for applying
- Proposed project/activity plan
- Number of members involved/members in club
- Date money required/timeline: the club will set the timeline to raise the money AND to use the money
- Amount of money proposed to be raised
- Leader’s name and contact information
- If club has identified a 4-H member to lead the fundraising activity, include that member’s name and contact information
- Leader’s support, by signature on Action Plan
Post Activity Summary Report:
Submit a short but detailed summary report, to include:
- A report of completed activity and goals;
- Amount of project money raised;
- Anticipated project expense; and
- Photos.
Contact the office for an Action Plan form or to ask questions.
“Pay it Forward” Grant
Arapahoe County 4-H families may apply for a one-time financial needs grant of up to $100 between October 1 and September 30 (4-H program year). The grant is for the sole purpose of aiding 4-H families with funds necessary for project supplies, and/or other expenses necessary to participate in 4-H contests and events (e.g., supplies, fees) deemed to be an appropriate use of funds by the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation.
For more information and an application form, contact us.
The Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors enrolled in Arapahoe County 4-H. Applications are judged by a committee of three Foundation Trustees. The deadline to apply is in February of each year, and the scholarships are presented at the Foundation Awards Breakfast in April.
How to Apply
The application period for 2025-2026 scholarships is due on Feb 1st. Our scholarship recipients will be presented with their awards at the 4-H Foundation Annual Awards Breakfast.
Applications for 2026 are currently closed
Available scholarships include:
- General Scholarships – $3,000
- Three $3,000 4-H Foundations scholarships are available each year. These scholarships may be applied to any institution of higher learning in the country, including business or trade schools, community colleges or public/private colleges or universities. Applicants may select any field of study which leads to a formal post-secondary degree (Technical, Associate or Bachelors). Applicants need to have been involved in a variety of 4-H activities, but high placement in 4-H contests is not required.
- Arabelle H. Burnett Excellence Scholarship – $5,000
- This scholarship will be awarded to a qualified high-scoring applicant each year. Graduating high school seniors planning to major in math, science or engineering at a four-year college or university will be considered first when applications are scored. Extensive experience in a variety of 4-H activities (projects, club involvement, participation in Junior Leaders, involvement in contests, etc.) also will be a deciding factor.
In addition, previous Burnett scholarship recipients may re-apply to receive the scholarship again while they are successfully pursuing their undergraduate studies at a college or university (“B” GPA minimum required). Previous recipients will be evaluated based on the original score that was assigned when they submitted their application as a high school senior, plus other information and application materials that the Foundation Board finds necessary for evaluation. The Burnett scholarship will then be awarded to the highest-scoring candidate, whether it is a high school senior or a college undergraduate.
Every April, the 4-H Foundation presents an Important Volunteer of the Year (IVY) Award to an individual who has gone above and beyond to support Arapahoe County 4-H. Nominations may be made by anyone in the 4-H community.
Nominees may be 4-H leaders, members of the Fair committee involved with 4-H exhibits, Foundation members, or members of an advisory group involved with 4-H. Nominees should be highly involved with 4-H club activities, and volunteerism in county, district, state and national programs is also considered. Nominations are due each February and should be submitted to the 4-H Office.
The nomination deadline for 2026 has passed. Check back in the future for 2027 information.
The Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation conducts several annual fundraisers to provide financial resources and program support for 4-H youth and leaders of Arapahoe County:
Each year the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation raises funds by sponsoring the annual Holiday Evergreen sale. Proceeds fund 4-H youth activities, academic scholarships, training and recognition for 4-H members — our leaders of tomorrow! Your purchase of Holiday Greens will bring beauty to your home, office or workplace. Our cheerful wreaths, centerpieces, garlands and swag are wonderful gifts for family, friends and clients. Wreath shipping boxes are also available for purchase.
Contributions
The Foundation welcomes monetary contributions, which are tax-deductible. We also welcome volunteers to donate time and help us with our fundraising activities.
Donations may be sent year-round to:
Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation
c/o CSU Extension
6934 South Lima Street, Suite B
Centennial, CO 80112
For more information, please contact the CSU Extension Office.