CALIFORNIA FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA FOUNDATION

The mission of the California FFA Foundation is to promote, aid, and assist, financially or otherwise, California FFA to ensure the success of Agricultural Education by preparing tomorrow's agricultural leaders, today.

The Foundation provides award recognition for student projects, competitive team events, leadership development events, as well as leadership training conferences.

California FFA Foundation's Board Members each have substantial agricultural industry connections. They are ambassadors to those industry connections to build long-term relationships, with financial commitments to multi-year pledges.

Grants are sought for program developments or restructure. The size and diversity of California FFA membership, over 95,000 in 2020, means grant dollars are well-invested, and broad-reaching.

Fundraising activities for programs, specific and general, occur throughout the year as well, even in a virtual capacity.

Individual donors receive monthly e-newsletters and quarterly printed newsletters, updating them with student leadership activities, successes, and donor stories. These communications provide a way to dontate, online or by mail.

A full-time Executive Director of Development works with California FFA Foundation board members, agricultural education staff members, and California FFA student leadership to identify funding needs and strategies, build relationships with new donors, and develop marketing strategies to increase donations to the Foundation. Staff at California FFA Center in Galt, California totals 7 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. One other employee supports California FFA Foundation activities on a part-time basis.

California FFA Foundation is fiscally sound. Assets include the land and building for California FFA and California FFA Foundation, financial investments, and cash, totaling over $6million.

California FFA Foundation assumed fiscal responsibility for the building in Galt, California in the last year, 2019-2020. The commitment demonstrates financial well-being of the organization.

COVID-19 and ensuing restrictions, canceled leadership conferences, agricultural experiences and classroom learning beginning in March 2020. In spite of the complete cessation of in-person activities, the organization has found ways to keep agricultural students engaged and moving through the agricultural education curriculum. The increased participation of students in the virtual format has broadened inclusiveness and availability. Staff at California FFA have kept decisions student-centered and California FFA Foundation board members have strongly endorsed the decisions.

The California FFA was thrilled to begin bringing back in person events in 2022 and looks forward to continuing to evaluate options and opportunities for in person and virtual events for students and FFA chapters.