JACKSONCOUNTY 4-H ENDOWMENT FUND

ESTABLISHED July 20, 1999

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide financial support for 4-H members and programs at the county, state and national levels. To promote and encourage growth in our youth through club and community activities by providing life skill development opportunities.

USE & APPLICATION FOR FUNDS:

Funds may be withdrawn from the Iowa 4-H Foundation four times each year. Applications for the use of funds must be received from groups or person(s) in JacksonCountyon or before March 1, June 1, September 1, or December 1 in order to gain approval for fund use in the next quarter. Applications need to be turned in at the Extension Office. All requests for endowment fund use must be in writing. The County Extension Education Director must submit the withdrawal request to the Iowa 4-H Foundation 10 days prior to the end of the fiscal quarter.

The application will be presented to the Youth Committee (YC) for consideration. A majority vote of the YC is necessary for approval. YC Chairperson and the County Extension Education Director will sign the application before sending it on to the Endowment Committee for consideration (all applications are to be signed and sent to the EC regardless of YC vote). The Endowment Committee may approve and fund an application turned down by the YC but will take into advisement the YC input. The Endowment Committee will determine appropriateness of the application and level of funding to be awarded if approved. Funding levels (in part or whole) will be based on dollars available from the Endowment Fund and the merits of the application. The Endowment Committee (EC) will meet before the Extension Council meeting to consider applications. The EC meeting must occur at least 3-5 working days before the Council meeting to allow time for the disbursement of funds by the Council during that month. Persons/groups submitting applications are encouraged to attend to the YC meeting to discuss their reasons/objectives for seeking financial support.

The application will include the following information:

  • person/persons submitting application
  • date application was received
  • amount requested
  • budget describing use of the funds
  • who will benefit from the activity
  • projected outcomes/impact

The Endowment Committee requires a follow-up summary from the person(s) who requested the funds after the event or activity is completed.

WHO MAY APPLY FOR FUNDS

Any JacksonCounty 4-H member(s), club leader(s), project leader(s), Extension staff or persons with a sincere interest in 4-H and its life skill development objectives may apply for fund use. These funds are not exclusively intended for Community Club functions/members. The funds will be disbursed through the County Extension Office by check only. No cash funds will be disbursed. Payments will be made directly to vendors and/or businesses. Reimbursements can only be made to the individual when an original receipt is provided and the activity was pre-approved.

INTENTED USE OF FUNDS

The Jackson County Endowment Fund was developed to provide financial support for educational activities with evidence of strong 4-H ties to the county. 4-H encompasses all Extension youth programming in the county. Favorable consideration will be given to requests that are wide in scope and impact a great number of youth. Individual requests will be termed as scholarships by the Endowment Committee. Examples of approved scholarships may include but are not limited to financial assistance to attend the CWF, State Conference, National 4-H Congress, or state/area camps. Funding levels may vary and may be in part or whole.

These funds are not intended to pay for salaries, physical facilities (except Food Stand improvements), judges, activities of a recreational nature (county-wide recreational events may be considered), and awards that were previously paid for from other sources. These funds are not intended to be used to cover budget short falls. The emphasis for use is in areas that provide expanded opportunities. As an example, speaker fees and mileage may be covered by the Endowment Fund if the event is county wide in nature such as a club leaders’ workshop, club officer training programs, or a 4-H leadership camp. Consideration will not be given to requests for reimbursement of expenses after an event has occurred.

This document is intended to serve as a guide for use of the Jackson County Endowment Fund and will be updated periodically.

Submitted to the Extension Council and Youth Committee

Approved: ______(date)______

______

Youth Committee Chairperson

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Extension Council Chairperson

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County Extension Education Director

Endowment Guidelines-Updated November 2004