National 4-H Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
National 4-H Councils mission is to expand opportunities for all of Americas youth through increased investment and participation in 4-H positive youth development. The 4-H system is comprised of a unique private-public partnership between our nations land-grant universities Federal and local government agencies foundations and professional associations. These partners work together to provide rich educational content and curricula cutting-edge technology and innovative thought-leadership.
- Income
- $47.5 million
- Spending
- $44.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 19.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 138
- Volunteers
- 23
- Highest pay
- $595,747, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 440% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $16.5 million spent. 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.
- $5.9 million spent. Investing in educators: our highly-trained 3,500 educators and 500,000 volunteers are critical for the creation and delivery of our 4-h youth development programming. Through online and in-person courses conferences and immersions the 4-H PYD academy provides research-backed learning opportunities that equip 4-H educators and volunteers with the essential knowledge and skills to plan implement and evaluate 4-H youth development programs that help young people prepare for work and life. The only online platform to offer engaging research-based youth and educator content from 100 universities and 4-H local programming clover by 4-H extends educator impact by providing over 300 hands-on educational resources to youth and their caregivers anytime anywhere.
- $4.9 million spent. Other programs: the 4-H story extension relations council provides best-in-class storytelling resources to amplify our message nationally while also creating customizable pieces for local storytelling by 4-H programs across the country. These resources ensure consistent inspirational and impactful messaging and creative assets that lift up 4-H youth and the programs that serve them. The extension relations team drives increased engagement in councils lines of business and cooperative extensions initiatives to grow 4-Hs reach and relevance. The team does this through strategic relationship management with 4-H network stakeholders; targeted communications and outreach; leveraging national convenings to mobilize the network and accelerate impact; and using their expertise to inform councils operations and build a council culture that is in service to cooperative extension.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1976.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.