National 4-H Council

What it reported doing in 2024

Academic & career readiness: by harnessing the national and local power of the 4-H network we are scaling programming to accelerate our impact and amplifying youth voice as we prepare a 4-H beyond ready generation. Through this work we are empowering our six million 4-Hers to be ready for work and life across every county and parish in the country. Millions of young people lack access to opportunities that would develop the skills they need to succeed including confidence teamwork creativity and innovation. 4-Hs national youth events engage teens and educators from around the country to find answers to problems and equip them to create change. This empowers them to become leaders; the next wave of innovators who influence others and live the ideals that foster a vibrant and creative economy. Our annual youth event ignite by 4-H see high school students and extension professionals convene in the Washington D.C. Area for immersive experiences that empower them to connect and find their spark. Ignite attendees explore the best 4-h has to offer in stem agriscience animal science healthy living civic engagement and career readiness through experiences that include career panels career preparation educational workshops and the development of local engagement plans. We situate youth at the center of every storytelling opportunity. Whether its digital storytelling partnership engagements or pr opportunities we ensure our young people are involved and elevated. One of the most impactful examples of our storytelling is our 4-H youth in action program which amplifies the diverse stories and leadership of 4-H youth who are making a difference in their communities every day. Each applicant receives digital interview and storytelling training from 4-H professionals as well as national multi-media and spokesperson opportunities. In addition our four youth in action winners receive a scholarship for higher education; a year of personal professional and media development and training; national opportunities to serve as a spokesperson and key thought leader in their program area; all-expenses paid trips for themselves and a chaperone to travel as a 4-H ambassador; an official reference letter from a national 4-H council leader for educational or career purposes; networking opportunities; and documentary-style videos that position each winners community work to local and national media.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 63.2%; rating input score 63
• Program expense ratio: 61.6%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.09 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 87.5%; rating input score 88; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.4%; rating input score 99; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: No; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 6.7%; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.18; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.1%; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -4.3% per year; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.7% per year; rating input score 100; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.6% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings