Each year, the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees approves the distribution of competitive grant funds to encourage development of innovative 4-H opportunities in local communities. For the 2019-20 program year, 4-H mini grants were awarded in five grant categories.

Michigan 4-H Legacy Grants

Michigan 4-H Legacy Grants, funded by the Michigan 4-H Legacy Fund endowment, encourage creativity and support the implementation of great ideas that promote positive youth development in communities.

The Muskegon County 4-H Tech Wizards Lakeshore Fab Lab experiences received a $1,000 grant to explore STEM fields through hands-on learning that will help equip youth for the workplace, college and trade-school opportunities. Youth will practice critical and creative thinking to build and solve problems while working alongside college staff members and students at Muskegon Community College.

The Mather Elementary Robotics Lego League 4-H Club in Alger County also received a $1,000 grant to help start an elementary robotics club in Munising. Students will be able to travel and attend events all around the Upper Peninsula, showcasing not only the team’s robot but also their hard work and dedication.

4-H Educational Garden Grants

Two 4-H Educational Garden Grants were funded by the Albert A. Albright Endowment for 4-H Plant Science and Gardening Education.

4-H “Dig the GIG” Experiential Gardening Program in Kent County received a $1,000 grant to build raised garden beds that will be cared for by community members, 4-H youth and students from the local school district. In addition, mobile garden kits will be created as a supplement resource for educational opportunities. These kits will provide the opportunity to teach others about gardening and create outreach opportunities.

Mason County’s Special Needs Gardening Program also received a garden grant to create a more versatile learning environment for all. The newly established garden will allow youth with cognitive and physical learning to learn how to grow and care for vegetable gardens and learn where their food comes from.

Collins 4-H Youth Horticulture Grant

The Collins 4-H Youth Horticulture Grant is funded by the William J. and Ruth D. Collins Endowment Fund to advance local 4-H club work in plant science and horticultural activities.

Roosevelt Elementary, McGrath Introduction Garden in Wayne County received a $350 grant to create a 4-H SPIN Club introducing elementary students to gardening. The garden will educate students on plant life cycles and teach students how to work together across their diversity gap. This garden will help students take ownership and pride in their hard work and bettering their school.

4-H On-Target Grants

Two On-Target county grants were funded by the Thomas H. Cobb Shooting Sports Fund to help enhance county 4-H shooting sports programs.

The Houghton-Keweenaw Copper Tips 4-H Archery Club received a $500 grant to help purchase supplies to help develop a rifle program. Copper Tips 4-H Archery Club already has more than 100 club members, and interest continues to grow. The grant will help purchase safety equipment and supplies for current and future club members.

Also receiving an On-Target grant is Ingham County’s 4-H Air Pistol Program. The grant will be used to help add a 10-meter air pistol program to the county’s well-established club. With this grant,
club leaders hope to offer more opportunities to current members while bringing in new members with an interest in air pistols.

4-H Participant Scholarship Grants

The Michigan 4-H Foundation also awarded $8,620 in 4-H Participant Scholarship Grants across 4-H programs in 21 counties: Alcona, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Crawford, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Monroe, Newaygo, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Tuscola, Van Buren and Wayne counties. These grants provide scholarship support for youth who are unable to pay the 4-H youth participant fee per county.

The 4-H Participant Scholarship Grant Program is made possible by gifts to the 4-H Participation Fee Scholarship Fund of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and gifts to support Michigan 4-H on Give Green Day.

The next mini grant cycle will open Apr. 1 with grant applications due June 1. More information on mini grants and the grant applications are online at https://mi4hfdtn.org/grants