4-H

What 4-H does

4-H (legally National 4-H Council) is the private-sector, nonprofit (501(c)(3)) partner in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System, founded in 1902 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It functions as the nation's largest youth development organization, delivering programming to approximately 6 million young people annually across all U.S. counties and parishes through a public-private architecture that integrates 110 land-grant universities, more than 3,000 local Extension offices, and a volunteer base exceeding 500,000 adults. Its core programmatic verticals are Agriculture, STEM, Civic Engagement, and Healthy Living, unified under the "Beyond Ready" initiative that targets scaling reach to 10 million youth by 2030.

The portfolio centers on the CLOVER digital learning platform, which hosts 300+ interactive online activities and is supported by signature programs including Ignite by 4-H (annual teen summit), 4-H Tech Changemakers (digital-literacy peer-teaching), the 4-H STEM Challenge, the 4-H National Mentoring Program (federally funded, OJJDP-supported), Citizenship Washington Focus, and the National 4-H Conference. Strategic 2025–2026 corporate and foundation grants — including a $10 million Microsoft AI-education extension, a $15 million Allstate Foundation youth-service coalition grant, $750,000 each from JBS USA and Carnegie Corporation, and an existing $1.5M Google.org CS-career-pathway grant — are funding curriculum expansion in AI literacy, agri-science, and civic engagement. The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected by federal statute (18 USC 707), and the organization holds Charity Navigator, Guidestar, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and TrustGuard credentials.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of donations and fundraising (including the bi-annual Tractor Supply Paper Clover campaign, which has cumulatively raised more than $26 million since 2010), corporate and foundation grants, federal cooperative-extension pass-through funding, e-commerce merchandise sales via shop4-h.org, and potential premium subscription fees for certain CLOVER services. Distribution is hybrid: physical delivery through county Extension offices and 4-H clubs, digital self-serve via the CLOVER platform, retail partnership at Tractor Supply storefronts, and an emerging social-media and event-driven marketing layer including SXSW EDU participation. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees led by CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, with 101–250 corporate staff supported by a much larger volunteer and educator network.

Name

4-H

Legal name

National 4-H Council

Website

https://4-h.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

National 4-H Council is the 501(c)(3) private-sector partner in the U.S. Cooperative Extension System, delivering youth development programs in Agriculture, STEM, Civic Engagement, and Healthy Living to 6 million young people annually across all U.S. counties via 110 land-grant universities, 3,000+ Extension offices, and 500,000+ volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Computer Training (61142), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL) & Challenge Platforms (EDAFANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• STEM education programs
• Agricultural education programs
• Civic engagement programs
• Youth mentoring services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: 4-H generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporate partners, and foundation grants. The bi-annual Paper Clover Fundraiser with Tractor Supply has raised over $26 million total.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Major grants from corporations and foundations including Microsoft ($10M AI education), JBS USA ($750,000 rural ag), Carnegie Corporation ($750,000 civic engagement), and Allstate Foundation ($15M youth-led service)
3. Premium Subscriptions: 4-H may charge subscription fees for access to certain Premium Services on their platform
4. Shop 4-H Merchandise: E-commerce sales of learning resources, science experiments, and skill-building activities through shop4-h.org

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

4-H delivers hands-on youth development programming for young people ages 5-18 across four pillars — Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement — via its CLOVER digital learning platform (300+ interactive activities), a National Mentoring Program for at-risk youth, signature events such as Ignite by 4-H, and physical learning kits (Discover Box & STEM Challenge). Program delivery runs through 110 land-grant universities and 3,000+ local Extension offices, supplemented by Shop 4-H e-commerce merchandise sales.

Product overview

4-H operates as a comprehensive youth development organization offering multiple interconnected programs and platforms. The core offering centers on CLOVER, an online learning platform with 300+ interactive activities across Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement. This platform is complemented by signature programs including Ignite by 4-H (teen summit), the 4-H Tech Changemakers (digital literacy education), the Beyond Ready initiative (career/college readiness), and the 4-H National Mentoring Program (one-on-one/group mentoring). Additional offerings include the 4-H STEM Challenge, Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference, and professional development through 4-H PYD Academy. The portfolio is unified by a shared mission of developing life skills and leadership in youth ages 5-18 through hands-on, experiential learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CLOVER: 4-H's online learning platform with 300+ interactive activities across Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement.
• Beyond Ready
• Ignite by 4-H
• 4-H Tech Changemakers

Products and services

• CLOVER online learning platform Online learning platform offering 300+ interactive activities and courses across Agriculture, STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement, designed for youth ages 5-18 to develop confidence, resilience, and life skills through structured learning paths.
• 4-H Tech Changemakers A technology education program in which trained 4-H youth teach digital literacy skills to community members, particularly older adults, through technology labs and peer-to-peer instruction.
• 4-H STEM Challenge The world's largest youth-led science experiment, offering hands-on STEM activities and challenges for youth participants nationwide.
• 4-H National Mentoring Program Federally funded mentoring initiative providing one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring services to underserved youth ages 8-17 with the goal of reducing juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, and truancy.
• Ignite by 4-H The Ultimate Teen Summit, an annual conference offering youth civic learning, leadership development, and peer networking opportunities.
• Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Civic education and leadership development event for 4-H youth held in Washington, D.C.
• National 4-H Conference Annual conference bringing together youth delegates from across the U.S. for leadership development and civic engagement activities.
• 4-H PYD Academy Professional development training program for 4-H educators and volunteers focused on Positive Youth Development (PYD) practices and methodologies.
• Discover Box & STEM Challenge Kits Hands-on science activity kits and discovery boxes that enable youth to conduct experiments and engage in STEM learning activities at home or in clubs.
• Shop 4-H E-commerce Store E-commerce storefront selling research-based learning resources, hands-on science experiments, skill-building activities, and 4-H branded merchandise.
• Beyond Ready Initiative National initiative aimed at increasing youth readiness for college, career, and life through credentialing, dual-credit programs, apprenticeships, and leadership opportunities.
• Lead to Change Youth leadership and advocacy platform enabling 4-H members to develop and implement community change projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-H'ers are 2x more likely to have the goal of being a leader
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JBS USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026JBS USA and National 4-H Council announced a $750,000 partnership to expand hands-on agricultural education, science-based learning, and leadership development for young people across rural America as part of 4-H's Beyond Ready program.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025National 4-H Council and Microsoft extended a $10 million partnership to expand AI education for rural youth and educators. The collaboration includes training programs, hands-on challenges, and initiatives like the AI in Agriculture Challenge, aiming to reach 10 million youth by 2030.
• Tractor Supply CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTractor Supply Company's fundraising efforts, including the bi-annual Paper Clover Promotion that invites customers to donate at checkout, have raised over $20 million for National 4-H Council and local 4-H programs. The Tractor Supply Company Foundation also adds bonus competition components for additional grants.
• BayercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayer and National 4-H Council created the Science Matters program to drive 25,000 youth to pathways increasing their understanding of how science connects to food, animals and health, sparking interest in agri-science careers.
• CHS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHS Foundation partnered with 4-H to help grow the talent pipeline for future agri-science careers through hands-on learning opportunities, equipping youth with tools to make positive change in their communities through localized community action plans.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation / Hidden Heroes Military Caregiver CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner4-H National Mentoring Program implemented by Texas A&M University Extension partnered with Hidden Heroes Military Caregiver Community to connect military caregivers and provide resources and support, with youth mentees making weighted lap blankets for wounded warriors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: The largest direct U.S. peer in youth development, serving ~3.5M youth annually through a federated club network. Highly comparable mission, donor-funded model, and focus on college/career readiness, mentoring, and STEM — directly competing for the same corporate foundation grants and volunteer pools.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: Historic U.S. youth development organization with a federated council model, STEM badges, and outdoor/civic programming. Competes for the same parent mindshare, corporate sponsors (Microsoft, Google), and girls/youth cohort in the 5–18 age range.
• Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America): Direct youth-development peer with a national council structure, badge/merit-based programming, and heavy STEM and civic engagement focus. Competes for the same family enrollments, volunteer base, and corporate donors.
• Junior Achievement USA: Youth education nonprofit focused on work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy for K–12. Strongly comparable in Beyond Ready's college/career pillar and competes for the same corporate sponsors and school-district placements.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Federally-funded youth mentoring nonprofit (including OJJDP grants) operating one-on-one and group mentoring for at-risk youth. Directly overlaps with 4-H's National Mentoring Program, including shared federal funding pools and target demographics.
• Camp Fire: One of the oldest U.S. youth development organizations (founded 1910), with a national council model and programs in STEM, civic engagement, and outdoor education. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: Large incumbent community-services organization with youth programming, after-school care, and mentoring. Broader portfolio than 4-H but overlaps heavily on youth development, volunteer recruitment, and corporate partnership channels.
• National Urban League: Large civil rights and youth-services organization with education, workforce, and civic engagement programs. Overlaps with 4-H on civic engagement and Beyond Ready career-readiness initiatives, and competes for the same corporate and foundation grants.

Emerging players

• Code.org: Nonprofit focused exclusively on expanding K–12 computer science access — directly intersects with 4-H's Google.org-funded CS Career Pathway and the Microsoft AI Education partnership. Competes for the same school-district placements and tech-corporate sponsorships.
• FIRST: Youth STEM nonprofit running robotics competitions and project-based learning from K–12. Directly comparable to 4-H STEM Challenge and competes for the same corporate sponsors (e.g., Bayer, Google, Microsoft) and after-school STEM slots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/national4H
• Facebookfacebook.com/4-h
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-4-h-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/national4h
• Pinterestpinterest.com/national4h
• Xx.com/4H

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 4-H