County gift funds

You can choose to direct your support to the local level for immediate use by giving to a county gift fund. Gifts to these funds help MU Extension faculty, staff and volunteers meet the needs of families and communities across the state.

Support a county gift fund

County endowment funds

Endowments are funds that are restricted for a specific purpose and managed in such a way that the principal gift remains intact forever. They act as a self-sustaining source of funding by earning interest and intentionally not paying out the entire fund balance. Donors can contribute to more than 70 county endowments through MU Extension.

Support a county endowment fund

Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center

• Located near Rock Port at the toe slope of the loess hills, the mission of the Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center is to provide research and teaching in the specific soil and climatic conditions of extreme northwest Missouri. This occurs through research and demonstrations of conservation tillage and soil conservation management practices, turf and forage, and crop production practices. Soil conservation and water quality issues also are addressed.

Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center

• Demonstrations and research at the 375-acre Hundley-Whaley Research Center are made possible through the generosity of Elma Hundley and Lulu Whaley. Located in Gentry County, the research center focuses on the best management practices and economics for corn and soybeans, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture. It is noted for excellence in pesticide evaluations and comparisons.

Jefferson Farm and Garden Extension and Education Center

• Jefferson Farm and Garden is a 67-acre educational farm designed to engage the community in experiences about food and agriculture. As an outdoor classroom, Jefferson Farm and Garden aims to reach learners of all ages by connecting people to the land and enriching the community through workshops, field trips and special events.

Wurdack Extension and Education Center

• Nestled along the Meramec River near Cook Station in the northeast Ozarks, the Wurdack Extension and Education Center conducts demonstrations and research in integrated livestock, forages, forestry, agroforestry and wildlife management practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and sociologically acceptable for the Ozark Region of Missouri. Current research includes programs to improve forage, beef, agroforestry, and timber.

Heroes to Hives

• Missouri is the first state chapter of the national Heroes to Hives program. Heroes to Hives is a unique program offered through the Michigan Food & Farming Systems that seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through free professional training and community development centered around beekeeping.

Missouri Small Business Development Centers

• The Missouri SBDC exists to help business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs understand and overcome obstacles at all stages of their business's lifecycle. The SBDC offers ongoing mentoring and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, and existing business owners throughout the state.

UM System Broadband Initiatives

• Through the Broadband Initiative, the UM System partners with state and local governments, businesses and nonprofit stakeholders, sharing knowledge, resources and tools. Your gift will support our work to build Missouri’s digital superhighway and increase broadband access and use.

Missouri 4-H

The Clover Fund (4-H’s greatest needs)

• 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, offering kids opportunities to learn-by-doing—building the skills they need to succeed in life and their careers. Your gift makes it possible for the Missouri 4-H Foundation to provide educational resources, train volunteers, award college scholarships, and grow strong future leaders.

Missouri 4-H Foundation Scholarship Fund

• A key goal of the 4-H program is to connect youth to higher education. Your gift to the Missouri 4-H Foundation Scholarship Fund is an investment in the future of today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders. Your support helps 4-H members pursue their educational goals.

Missouri 4-H Program Funds

• The Missouri 4-H Foundation provides direct program support to the MU Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development covering eleven program areas. This support helps young people develop practical skills at state and national contests and events. It also offers youth opportunities to take on leadership roles through experiences like State 4-H Council.

Missouri 4-H County Endowment Funds

• Endowments are funds that are restricted for a specific purpose and managed in such a way that the principal gift remains intact forever. They act as a self-sustaining source of funding by earning interest and intentionally not paying out the entire fund balance. Gifts to 4-H county endowment funds are matched by the Missouri 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees on Giving Tuesday and Mizzou Giving Day.

Missouri State Fair 4-H Building Fund

• Help us transform the Missouri State Fair 4-H Building! With your support, we can create a modern space to empower our youth, promote education, and foster community engagement. Donate now and be a part of building a brighter future for generations to come!

4-H’ers Helping 4-H

• The 4-Hers Helping 4-H Fund was created in 2015 by the State 4-H Council with the goal of providing scholarships to state events for 4-H members in financial need. Your gift will help ensure that all youth in 4-H have the support they need to access leadership and career development opportunities.

Kids Helping Kids

• Created by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with the State 4-H Council, the Kids Helping Kids Fund provides support to 4-H families that have been affected by illness, natural disasters, or other life altering events.

Missouri Afterschool Network

• The Missouri Afterschool Network (MASN) builds partnerships and systems across the state to improve, support, and sustain high-quality afterschool programs. Your gift helps MASN provide training, technical assistance, and resources to afterschool programs in Missouri.

Osher@Mizzou

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Fund

• The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Missouri (Osher@Mizzou) has evolved over the years, beginning in 2002 with just a few courses to what we are today: a welcoming place where those aged 50 and above can take non-credit courses on a myriad of topics in current events, U.S. and world history, literature, the arts, and more. Your gift will help ensure that Osher@Mizzou continues to have a positive impact on hundreds of seniors and their families living in mid-Missouri.

Founders Fund for Osher@Mizzou

• The Founders Fund for Osher@Mizzou was established in 2002 to acknowledge the vision of the program’s founders, Tom Henderson, John Parker, and Lucille Salerno. The endowed fund helps provide a reliable stream of revenue to sustain the Osher@Mizzou program for the future.

Animal Cruelty Education

• In 1990, faculty and staff at MU Extension’s Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) founded the National Animal Cruelty Investigations (NACI) School—the first of its kind—to offer a combination of specialized veterinary and law enforcement training. Your gift will help ensure that our nationally recognized law enforcement, veterinary and animal health experts continue to educate students on all aspects of animal welfare and safety.

Community Emergency Management

• The Missouri Extension Disaster Education Network (Missouri EDEN) provides education and technical assistance to individuals and families, local governments, schools, and organizations in preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters. Gifts to this fund help the Missouri EDEN team respond to emergencies when they occur and help local communities deal with all aspects of disasters.

Fire and Rescue Training Institute

• The University of Missouri has trained firefighters for more than 80 years. Through the Fire and Rescue Training Institute (FRTI), a premier unit of MU Extension, quality and accessible competency-based training is provided to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. Your gift will help ensure FRTI continues to meet the education and training needs of Missouri’s volunteer firefighters.

MU Family Impact Center

• The mission of the MU Family Impact Center is to provide lifelong education to help the residents of Central Missouri improve their quality of life. MU faculty and students share their expertise with the community by providing services related to health, finances, legal matters, youth, and parenting. The MU Family Impact Center is a place where families can come to get multiple needs met in one place.