National 4-H Council Named to Social Impact 100
Prestigious Index shines bright light on effectiveness of 4-H programs

Chevy Chase, MD (January 28, 2013) - National 4-H Council’s inclusion in the Social Impact 100, the first-ever index of 100 high-performing, evidence-based nonprofit organizations in the United States, is raising awareness of the success and impact of 4-H, which is also the nation’s largest youth program—serving more than 6 million young people nationwide.

As the youth development program of the nation’s Cooperative Extension System, 4-H is implemented by the nation’s 111 land-grant colleges and universities. National 4-H Council, the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), was recognized for initiating numerous programs that help young people develop the life skills they need to step up and meet the demands of a complex and ever-changing world. 

"We are incredibly proud to be recognized by the Social Impact Exchange for our commitment to increasing investment and participation in high quality, positive 4-H youth development programs," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council President and CEO. "Our selection to the S&I 100 further demonstrates the impact and importance of the work 4-H professionals and volunteers to improve the lives of young people across the globe." 

The S&I 100 recognizes the most effective non-profits in America—and was created to help encourage investment in these 100 high-impact, high-performing organizations.

“The index is telling investors that Council is a wise investment, said Floyd. “Inclusion in the S&I 100 is a validation of our mission, our strategic direction and a valuable asset in our plan for significant growth,” added Floyd.  “Of the seven largest national youth development organizations, only two—National 4-H Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters—made the list.”

Selection criteria for the index included the availability of an external quantitative study of the organizations’ work and its impact. National 4-H Council supplied data from a decade long study by preeminent youth development scholar Dr. Richard Lerner and his team at the Institute for Youth Development at Tufts University which found the following: 
    • 4-H youth are three times more likely to actively contribute to their communities. 
    • 4-H youth report better grades, higher levels of academic competence, and an elevated level of engagement at school. 
    • 4-H youth are 2.3 times more likely to exercise and be physically active. 
    • 4-H youth are nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college.

National 4-H Council's National Mentoring Program also took center stage during the application process. The program serves thousands of youth annually through a partnership with land-grant universities, the Cooperative Extension System in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 4-H NMP strengthens and expands mentoring programs for at-risk youth ages 7-17, especially underserved populations of Latino, African American and children of incarcerated parents through three programs that incorporate core principles of positive youth development to improve well-being.

In addition, Council’s work to help create a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ready workforce through many initiatives is making an impact for millions of youth.  Last fall, 4-H achieved its multi-year goal of engaging one million new young scientists through programs such as the annual 4-H National Youth Science Day that engage young people across the country in hands-on learning opportunities.

“This is recognition of the innovative and effective partnership between Cooperative Extension, USDA/NIFA and National 4-H Council,” said Floyd.