Welcome to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation website.

Scholarships applications and grant applications for 2026 are now open!

Letter to the Community February 2026

Dear Douglas County 4-H Families, Volunteers, and Supporters,

The Douglas County 4-H Foundation would like to share additional context following recent communication regarding our relationship with the Colorado State University 4-H and the Douglas County 4-H Office.

The Douglas County 4-H Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of long-standing community members, multi-generational Douglas County residents, 4-H leaders, and 4-H alumni who themselves benefited from the program. Board members serve with a shared commitment to local stewardship—ensuring that funds entrusted to the Foundation remain in Douglas County and are used directly to support Douglas County 4-H youth.

For 30 years now, the Foundation has existed for one purpose: to support Douglas County 4-H youth through scholarships, grants, awards, and investments in meaningful opportunities. It is because of this purpose that over the past 12 years, the Foundation has awarded $378,464 in scholarships and $81,698 in grants. This averages out to an astounding $38,698 contributed to Douglas County 4-H youth per year. This mission remains unchanged.

Over the past year, the Foundation engaged in thoughtful and extensive discussions with the State 4-H Office at CSU regarding a proposed updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOA). After careful review, the Foundation Board determined that the proposed MOA language would compromise the Board’s fiduciary obligations as stewards of a nonprofit organization. Among other provisions, the proposed MOA included terms that would grant CSU authority related to the dissolution of the Foundation and the disposition of Foundation assets. The Board concluded that agreeing to such terms would be inconsistent with its duty to ensure that locally raised funds remain under local control and are used exclusively to benefit Douglas County youth.

As a result, the Foundation declined to enter into an agreement. Following that decision, the Extension Office notified the Foundation that it would no longer maintain an official affiliation with the Douglas County 4-H Foundation.

Importantly, this decision does not change the Foundation’s commitment to Douglas County 4-H youth. The Foundation remains dedicated to carrying on its long-standing legacy of supporting youth at the local level and ensuring that funds raised by the Foundation remain in Douglas County and are made available to directly benefit local 4-H youth only. The Foundation will continue to operate as a nonprofit organization and to provide financial support, scholarships, and grants that advance youth development, leadership, and agricultural education within our 4-H community.

The Foundation also wishes to emphasize that it remains open to working with Colorado State University and the Douglas County 4-H Extension Office based on our shared interest in supporting youth and strengthening 4-H opportunities. We believe there is an opportunity to build a collaborative partnership grounded in mutually agreeable terms that preserve the Foundation’s local support and reach, while allowing the Board to fulfill its fiduciary obligations and act in the best interests of Douglas County 4-H youth and donors.

Transitions of this nature can raise questions, and we understand the importance of transparency, stability, and collaboration during this time. The Foundation is committed to working respectfully with community partners and to keeping the focus where it belongs—on the success and growth of Douglas County 4-H youth.

Additional updates will be shared as appropriate. In the meantime, we welcome respectful dialogue and appreciate your continued support of youth in Douglas County.

Sincerely,

Douglas County 4-H Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors

Mission

The Douglas County 4-H Foundation is comprised of community leaders working collectively to obtain funding sources that provide Douglas County 4-H members academic scholarship opportunities, financial grants for educational experience, and learning opportunities that prepare them for their future. This also enables 4-H members to excel in their projects, develop life skills, contribute to their community, and grow into valuable young adults.

Vision

The Douglas County 4-H Foundation will generate and distribute resources to support programs that increase achievement, foster lifelong learning, develop citizenship, and provide Douglas County 4-H youth opportunities to become contributing citizens.