Mission Statement

Inspired by youth and in partnership with communities, we provide private resources to ensure South Dakota’s youth have opportunities to learn leadership, citizenship, character and life skills through 4-H community based youth programs.

We do this through:

1. •functioning as the primary vehicle for fundraising for 4-H
   

2. •recognizing donors as partners and valuing donor input in the program process
   

3. •partnering with 4-H and Character Counts! Staff on program design and evaluation
   

4. •partnering with volunteer leaders to strengthen 4-H in communities
   

5. •increasing public awareness of 4-H youth development and 4-H fundraising
   

6. •providing education on philanthropy and philanthropic fundraising for paid and volunteer staff and youth
   

Foundation History

The Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable corporation securing private monies to support youth development in the South Dakota 4-H program. Our mission began in 1963 with our primary interest focused on the youth of our state. We work in partnership with staff, volunteers and youth to develop strong community 4-H programs.

The Foundation's 25 trustees have many responsibilities; however, their primary responsibility is to generate and manage private funds for 4-H.

Staff

Nancy Swanson, Executive Director

LaNell Quam, Development Associate

Julie King, Bookkeeper

Kelly Coull, Endowment Campaign Assistant/Webmaster

Arla Weifenbach, Office Assistant

Board of Trustees

Adrienne McKeown, President

Scott Parsley, Past President

Bev Wright, President-Elect

Mary Ellen Aamot, Vice-President

Beth Duerre, Secretary

Shane Penfield, Treasurer

Mary Ellen Aamot, Retired 4-H/Youth Development Specialist, Brookings

Dwayne Backes, First Bank & Trust Senior Loan Officer, Brookings

Roy Beaird, Spader Business Management, Brandon

Peggy Bieber, Co-owner/Manger Little Professor Book Center, Aberdeen

Jim Burg, Ag Businessman and Mayor of Wessington Springs

David Chicoine, SDSU President, Brookings

Beth Duerre, 4-H Leader, Bristol

John Keimig, Extension Educator, Olivet

Lee Larsen, Retired Wells Fargo, Sioux Falls

Latif Lighari, Director CES/Associate Dean, ABS, Brookings

Denise Lingscheit, Youth Development/4-H Extension Educator, Miller

Paul McDonald, Dacotah Bank Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Aberdeen

Adrienne McKeown, Citibank Vice President, Harrisburg

Scott Parsley, East River Electric Assistant General Manager for Member Services, Madison

Shane Penfield, Attorney at Law, Prof. LLC, Lemmon

Robyn Stee, Wells Fargo Personal Banker, Brookings

Kristie Stroms, Ethan Public School Teacher, Brookings

Bev Wright, 4-H Leader, Turton