Annual Giving Campaign
Up to 10 US outbounds will represent IFYE next summer. The estimated fixed and variable costs to IFYE to make that a reality are around $95,700. That is why the board is asking our alumni and friends to contribute $100,000 toward that end.
Lad Harrison, a 1972 IFYE from Ohio to South Korea, has already stepped up with a pledge to match the first $25,000 of gifts to this year’s campaign. His gift is presented in honor of Bea Cleveland, the IFYE State Coordinator in Ohio during the 60s and 70s, who encouraged Lad to accept an IFYE assignment to South Korea. Bea passed in 2012 at the age of 91, but the legacy of her mentorship remains strong in the hearts and minds of many Ohio 4-Hers and IFYEs.
Who was the person who encouraged you to become an IFYE? Was it a family member? Someone in your 4-H club? Or the IFYE coordinator in your state? Honor and remember that person with a gift to this year’s campaign. Donate online today at IFYEUSA.ORG | Ways to Give | Donate Online.
Gifts via check and credit card are always welcome. Did you know there are ways your gift can be more tax efficient? For those of you over the age of 70 ½, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly out of your IRA to your favorite charities’ transfers with NO income tax obligation in the current tax year. You can also fund gifts with in-kind transfers of appreciated stock directly from your portfolio to IFYE’s brokerage account at Raymond James with no capital gains implications and a potential tax deduction if you itemize. Visit with your financial and tax advisors to see if either of these options makes sense for your situation.
Thank you for your consideration of a gift this year. Reach out to IFYE Development Chair Marty Orris at mjorris@ifyeusa.org with any questions.
Update on the 2026 IFYE Exchange
We are excited to announce that the 2026 IFYE program will consist of a 1:1 exchange, we will send 10 IFYEs and receive 10 IFYEs. We are in the process of confirming participating countries.
The 2026 IFYE Application is now live on the ifyeusa.org website. The program will begin on or about June 3rd or 4th with orientation in Washington, D.C., then the IFYEs will go to their respective host states and countries around June 7th/8th. IFYEs will return to their countries or Washington D.C. on August 15th/16th for debriefing.
The program fee for 2026 is $4,000. This is less than one-half of the fixed costs to send an IFYE on our exchange. Your contributions and gifts help keep the fee lower so more collegians and recent graduates can participate in our unique experience.
Deadline for applications is March 1, 2026.
How can you help?
- We encourage you to be on the lookout for good candidates, 19 - 30 years of age, who will make wonderful IFYEs. We are certain you, your family members, and friends know someone who might be interested in our program. Refer them to our website or ask them to contact our Interim National Program Director (INPD), Traci Sherlock at tsherlock@ifyeusa.org
- Consider serving as a host family or help by recruiting a family. Most of our families serve for three weeks. Think back to your own IFYE experience. For most the best part was living with the host families, getting to know them and learning their culture. Not many people have the opportunity to learn about a new country as deeply as we have. Your State Coordinator or State Contact will handle the interviewing and paperwork processing. If your state does not have either of those positions, the INPD will work with the prospective host family.
As we enter the next few months filled with holidays and time for joy and reflection, we hope you'll help us find new IFYE Brothers and Sisters and Host Families.
