October marks National 4-H Week, and to celebrate we’re highlighting a grant from one of our community foundation partners investing in this youth-focused nonprofit. Earlier this year, the Worthington Area Community Foundation (WACF) awarded $1,500 to Nobles County 4-H to purchase additional tablets to use with Edison robots, allowing more youth to engage in hands-on learning and strengthen their coding and problem-solving skills.
“Edison robots are a simple robot we use in 4-H programming to teach coding and problem solving. The robots can scan premade barcodes from the Edison company as youth start to learn about coding,” said Anna Rose, Nobles County Extension Educator in 4-H Youth Development.
4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. In its last program year, Nobles County 4-H had 300 kids enrolled, according to Anna, who was a member herself in neighboring Jackson County growing up.
“I am who I am because of 4-H and everyone who poured into me as a youth member,” Anna said.
Worthington Area Community Foundation is part of our network of 31 community foundations supporting passionate people with the resources to make positive change. A team of local advisory board members guides each community foundation by fundraising, recommending grants, telling stories of good work happening locally and promoting their town.
“Our mission is to help a variety of community organizations and, as a result, benefit many people who use or benefit from the services these groups offer. That said, I think it’s important to assist an entity like 4-H. After all, 4-H is made up of youth from varying backgrounds, and helping them to have the types of opportunities 4-H offers is great for their quality of life and may even influence their future. If today’s kids have a positive experience growing up in a community, that can only increase their chances of staying there as an adult and raising their own family there, too,” said WACF Board Chair Ryan McGaughey.
Ryan joined WACF in 2023. He knew the community well, having served as editor of the local newspaper for 15 years before taking on the role of news and sports director at the local radio station. One of his new coworkers, who was also a long-time friend, knew Ryan was interested in getting involved in the community again and urged him to check out WACF.
“The Worthington Area Foundation seemed like an ideal way to serve the community and, of course, do a lot of good. I’m proud to be part of an organization that helps make Worthington and communities in the region a great place to call home,” Ryan said.
WACF’s endowment fund was established in 1991. It serves as a permanent resource that enables the board to award grants annually to meet community needs. The foundation helps make the community an even better place to live and work by awarding grants through its own general endowment and more than a dozen designated funds under its umbrella.
“While we may not be able to offer huge amounts of grant dollars or can give some organizations only part of the funds they truly need, we do help make many things possible. This simple thing — helping make things possible — should be the role of every citizen within the community where they live. Our communities are as healthy and as vibrant as we all make them.”
Ryan McGaughey, Worthington Area Community Foundation Board Chair
In the last few months, the Worthington Area Community Foundation has welcomed several new board members and is looking at rebranding.
“We’re excited to move this organization forward while working to benefit all who call Worthington and the nearby area home!” Ryan said.
Give Where You Live
Support your local community foundation or another fund that benefits a cause you care about close to home. See a full list of our partner funds in southwest Minnesota.
