Events and Activities : Help the 4-H clubs with a donation

During the month of April, with a quick text message Iowans can vote for 4-H, make a $10 donation and increase the chances that Iowa 4-H will receive a $5,000 bonus from JCPenney to support 4-H youth development programs throughout the state.

It’s all part of the national 4-H Give2Vote Challenge, said Shelly Greving with the Iowa 4-H Foundation. This fundraising campaign is using mobile and online giving technology to benefit 4-H programs throughout the United States.

Text CLOVER to 50555 “Starting April 1, you can join the challenge by texting CLOVER to 50555 to give $10 to support Iowa 4-H, or you can make a secure, online donation at 4-H.org,” Greving said. “Each mobile gift from an Iowa area code or online donation designated for Iowa counts as one ‘vote’ for Iowa 4-H,” Greving explained. “At the end of the challenge, the state receiving the most ‘votes’ will receive an additional $5,000 from JCPenney, which is sponsoring the challenge.”

To vote and make a $10 gift to Iowa 4-H, text CLOVER to shortcode 50555, Greving said. “Then you will receive a follow-up text message asking you to confirm your gift. You must reply with yes when prompted to complete your gift. If you don’t complete this step, your donation is not completed and cannot count as a vote.”

Iowans who participate in the 4-H Give2Vote Challenge via text message will see a one-time $10 donation on their next mobile bill as a separate line item. There are no extra or hidden fees, but message and data rates may apply. For full terms and conditions, visit mGive.com/a, the company that is managing the mobile donation program.

Iowans can vote – and donate – more than once, Greving continued.

“Most wireless carriers will allow you to donate more than once per month to a specific keyword. When you text in your first $10 gift, you will receive a thank you/confirmation text back, which will tell you how many times you can donate based on your wireless carrier,” Greving explained. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and Nextel are all participating carriers.

Online donations and votes are unlimited, Greving added, “Just remember that each ‘vote’ is actually a donation.”

All 4-H Give2Vote donations are tax-deductible. Mobile phone bills can be used as receipts for tax purposes, or Iowans can view and print receipts from mGive.org/receipt. Iowans making online donations via 4-H.org will be issued an immediate electronic receipt of their gift from National 4-H Council, which can be used for tax purposes.

About the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America with programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. One in five Iowa school-age youth participates in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames. 4-H is supported by federal, state and county funding, private grants and donations, and fees. For more information about joining 4-H, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office at www.extension.iastate.edu/ouroffices.htm or visitwww.extension.iastate.edu/4H.

About the Iowa 4-H Foundation The Iowa 4-H Foundation, http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/, provides the financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. The opportunities provided by the Foundation help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors. The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a charitable 501 (c) 3 organization with a governing board of 35 trustees.