The Pennsylvania 4-H Keystone Society

1. The Pennsylvania 4-H Keystone Society Presented by Eric McGinnis 4-H Development

2. The 4-H Keystone Society • Institutional fundraising partner • Volunteer-driven fundraising • Low volunteer time investment • High return on investment • Highly structured approach

3. 4-H Keystone Society • A giving society to recognize donors who make contributions to 4-H endowments • A volunteer-driven program at the county and program level • Counties will receive support from state and regional staff and statewide 4-H volunteers

4. Becoming a Member • Individuals, organizations, businesses: • an annual contribution of $2500 + or a five year pledge of $500 + annually • $42 per month for 60 months • Individuals aged 25 and under: • an annual contribution of $500 or a five year pledge of $100 annually.

5. Donor Recognition • 4-H Keystone Society pin • 4-H Keystone Society window cling • Invitations to 4-H stewardship events • Volunteers who recruit new 4-H Keystone Society members will be recognized • Local stewardship will differ by county

6. Statewide 4-H Development Council Regional Directors Director of Cooperative Extension 4-H Development Office County Extension Directors County 4-H Volunteers & Staff Volunteer Structure

7. Recruiting the Right Volunteers • Must be willing to give themselves • Must be willing to ask for money • Must be knowledgeable and connected to potential donors • Must be willing to open • their personal rolodex

8. How Endowments Work • Endowments are established with a gift or pledge of at least $25,000 • Gift principal generates interest • At least 4.1% of principal is available each year • Remainder of interest is added to principal • Endowment proceeds can only be used as outlined in the guidelines

9. Building a New Endowment Minimum: $5000 annually for 5 years • 10 donors @ $500/year • 8 donors @ $500-$1000/year + = $25,000

10. Building Your Endowment

11. Build a donor list and set solicitation goals County recognizes local donors TRAINING & SUPPORT Assign volunteers/staff to solicit donors Development sends pins/clings to county Connect with Prospective Donors Report progress to 4-H Development Return gift forms to 4-H Development 4-H Keystone Gift Process Create Local 4-H Keystone Society

12. Managing the Process Identify and prioritize Who are your top 50 prospective donors Organization Create a way to track activity and information Strategy Assign donors to volunteers

13. Building the List Who to solicit? • Banks • County volunteers • Buyers at livestock auctions • Vendors for county programs • County and state elected officials • Passionate parents and other community leaders • 4-H alumni

14. Next Steps • Convene a volunteer development committee • Build your donor prospect list • Create strategies and responsibilities • Hit the pavement!

15. Additional Training Topics • Setting the 1st meeting • Listening and high-value questions • Making “the ask” • Identifying prospective donors • Developing a stewardship plan • Strategies for larger donors

16. Thank you Eric McGinnis 4-H Development Office The 329 Building – Suite 214 University Park, PA 16802 814-863-2754 emcginnis@psu.edu