Current Grant & Award Opportunities

jcpenney Minigrants

National 4-H Council provides at least 550 jcpenney Minigrants totaling $250,000 funded by jcpenney afterschool to county-based 4 H programs to increase access for youth currently not in after-school programs, or on the verge of leaving after-school programs due to a lack of funds. These 550 slots are for young people in kindergarten through 12th grade (ages five to eighteen).

4-H Afterschool Training

The goal of 4-H Afterschool Training, a partnership of MetLife Foundation and National 4-H Council partnership is to provide high quality training to at least 5,500 local after-school providers annually. MetLife Foundation and 4-H will collaboratively improve the quality of after-school programs; infuse civic engagement into after-school programs; and increase the number of youth engaged in high quality after-school programs.

MetLife Foundation Awards of Excellence in Afterschool

National 4-H Council and the MetLife Foundation offer four $2,000 cash awards to 4-H programs that exhibit excellence in Citizenship programming in a 4-H Afterschool/out-of-school program. 4-H programs seeking these awards must be recognized by National 4-H Headquarters as a 4-H "Program of Distinction" prior to applying with National 4-H Council. Awards are presented at the annual National Association of Extension 4-H Agents conference.

4-H Salute to Excellence Awards

The annual Salute to Excellence awards honor the invaluable work of 4-H volunteers. The awards name Outstanding Lifetime Volunteers and Volunteers of the Year for each region, and at the national level. 4-H recognizes that volunteers are crucial to the success of the 4-H mission and research confirms it; volunteers provide the long-term mentorship and support that is the key to positive youth development.

Donations for 4-H Programs from Monsanto! - Closed

Through November 30th, the Monsanto Fund’s “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” program is offering local 4-H programs the opportunity to receive $2,500 in unrestricted funding if they are designated as a recipient by a participating farmer. Clubs are asked to reach out and encourage local farmers to register. Sample content and talking points are available in our toolkit. Visit Monsanto’s website for more information. 

4-H Youth in Action Award 2012 - Closed

The 4-H Youth in Action Award will recognize a 4-H member who is a current realization of 4-H's vision for youth who are driving positive change in their communities. As forces of positive change, nominees should have lead a project, service or event that addressed a problem within their community and made a positive impact in resolving the issue. The awardee will be honored at the annual 4-H Legacy Award Gala.