SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois 4-H Foundation has received an $80,000 gift from Compeer Financial to advance 4-H youth programming across the state. This investment will strengthen Illinois 4-H’s Beyond Ready initiative, which equips young people with the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to be resilient, versatile, and fully prepared for future success.
“4-H empowers young people to discover their passions, develop leadership skills, and become the changemakers their communities need,” said Angie Barnard, University of Illinois executive director of the Illinois 4-H Foundation. “Compeer’s generous support strengthens our ability to ensure youth are beyond ready for whatever path they choose to pursue after high school.”
Compeer Financial has a long-standing commitment to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders. In 2025 alone, Compeer awarded more than $140,000 to 4-H programs in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
“Compeer Financial is proud to support 4-H, a program that truly prepares kids for the future and the future of agriculture,” said Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer Financial . “Illinois 4-H inspires youth to explore opportunities in agriculture and beyond, while building the resilient and innovative leaders Illinois communities need today, tomorrow, and in the future. We’re excited to see the impact this support brings.”
The $80,000 commitment was formally presented to Illinois 4-H leadership during the 4-H General Project Show at the Illinois State Fair. Representing Compeer Financial were Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer Financial ; Stephanie Wise, chair of the Compeer Financial Board of Directors; and Jacob Chapman, financial officer and trustee of the Compeer Financial Giving Board.
Also in attendance were University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Dean Germán Bollero, Interim Director of Illinois 4-H/Senior Program Lead, Positive Youth Development Dr. Kevin Carey, and members of the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team - whose presence highlighted the deep collaboration and shared commitment to preparing Illinois youth for leadership and lifelong success.
For more information on how to support Illinois 4-H, visit the Illinois 4-H Foundation website.
For Further Information, Contact:
Source: Angie Barnard, Executive Director, Illinois 4-H foundation, abarnard@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Illinois 4-H Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu
About the Illinois 4-H Foundation
The Illinois 4-H Foundation supports the Illinois 4-H program, a part of University of Illinois Extension. The Foundation provides financial resources to support 4-H programs, scholarships, and events that foster leadership, citizenship, and hands-on learning in youth throughout Illinois. The Illinois 4-H Foundation is committed to expanding the reach and impact of 4-H in every community across the state.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.