Receive Funding
The Maine 4-H Foundation is dedicated to supporting the Maine 4-H program. Each year the Foundation provides funding for 4-H legacy and new programs. Our legacy programs include the Karen Hatch Gagne National 4-H Congress Award, the Harold H. Brown Eastern States Award, as well as the Maine 4-H Foundation Endowment Funds held to secure annual support to National 4-H Conference and Congress, Citizenship Washington Focus, Eastern States, Maine 4-H Days, and 4-H at the University of Maine. In addition, volunteers, 4-H youth members, and staff are invited during the course of the year to apply for additional funding for new and innovative projects.
4-H Pitch Your Idea Grants
Pitch 4-H grants are made available to active 4-H members in Maine.
The Maine 4-H Youth Trustees, in partnership with an anonymous donor, are offering a grant program for currently enrolled 4-H members. The funding will support new small business ideas, new agricultural projects, and/or a new innovative project within 4-H. For a more detailed description, please refer to the application. Funding is available for up to $500.
Norma Hardison Creativity Grants to 4-H Clubs
4-H Club Creativity Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine, including club and community learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts up to $200; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $200. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy.
Scholarships
- 2023 Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners
- 2020 Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners
- 2019 Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners
- 2018 Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners
- 2017 Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Award Winners
Please review the descriptions of the following funding opportunities provided by the Maine 4-H Foundation. Apply for the one(s) most relevant to your project/aspirations. If you have any questions, please contact us before applying.
Maine 4-H Foundation Post-Secondary Education Scholarships
These scholarships are available to participants in the 4-H Program, pursuing higher education. Deadlines to apply is: Monday, March 3, 2025, to local UMaine Extension county office or to the one of our 4-H Learning Centers by email; Monday, March 10, 2025, by email documents to the Maine 4-H Foundation.
- 2025 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application (Word)
- 2025 Rubric/Evaluation Sheet for Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications (Word)
- 4-H Resumé – Draft (Word)
Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships That May Be Awarded:
Please note: County Scholarships are awarded by the county.
- Maine 4-H Foundation General Post Secondary Education Scholarships
- Wayne S. Rich Scholarship – Maine in odd-numbered years
- Azure Dillon 4-H Memorial Scholarship – Maine 4-Her
- Gladys E. Conant Memorial Farm Credit East Scholarship ($1,000)
- Dr. Harold and Marion Chute Scholarship
- Fred Hutchinson Scholarship (awarded every other year)
- Doris Roberts, H. Lawrence, and George Lawrence Humphrey 4-H Scholarship
- Oxton Trust (Knox and Lincoln Counties)
- Theda Parker/K. C. Lovejoy Scholarship
- Verna Church Witter Scholarship
- Threshold of Maine RC&D Scholarship Fund
- Waldo County Extension Association Scholarship (County Award)
- Somerset County Leaders Association Scholarship ( County Award)
- Jeremy Strater Washington County Scholarship
- Nancy L. Arms ’84, Chadwick C. and Barbara Arms 4-H Scholarship Fund
- Leo J. and Catherine D. Pelley 4-H Scholarship Fund
- Carla and Danny Lafayette Scholarship
- Morna Rawcliffe Scholarship
- Gene Doris Humphrey Scholarship
- Others that become available
Henry Page / Bangor Noon Kiwanis Grants:
These grants are available to members of the Penobscot County 4-H Program. They can be used by clubs for trips, community service projects, and other 4-H activities. Individual members may also apply for grants to cover participation costs in local, state, and national 4-H events. For a more detailed description, please refer to the guidelines.
4-H Service, Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants:
Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine including club and community service learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts from $100 to $500; on rare occasions, the grant request may be considered for more than $500. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy.
Rural Youth Loans
From USDA Farm Service Agency. FSA makes loans to individual youths to establish and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, and similar organizations.