Wisconsin 4-H Photography Endowment Fund 
Picture yourself . . . in the new 4-H photo fund
“Picture yourself . . .” That’s the theme of my new Wisconsin 4-H Photography Endowment Fund.
I'm Wayne Brabender, Wisconsin 4-H Photo Specialist for the past 30 years. I'm retiring later this year, but I’m still passionate about the 4-H photo program. It’s never been stronger. Over 10,000 youth now take the 4-H photo project each year, making it the largest project in Wisconsin. They are led by 550 dedicated adult and youth volunteers. It’s one of the largest 4-H photo projects in the country, and I’d argue, the best. I want to keep it that way.
 For nearly 100 years 4-H arts projects like photography have helped young people become more creative and self-confident. 4-H’ers can also improve their ability to communicate, make decisions, and lead . . . skills they will use every day for the rest of their lives, on and off the job. Our society needs young people who have these skills. Perhaps you or someone in your family has reaped the benefits of 4-H or the 4-H photo project.
A recent statewide 4-H arts and communication survey confirmed the importance of these creative opportunities for kids. The survey also confirmed the importance to families because kids and parents enjoy the photo activities together. The family that photographs together, stays together! But because of budget cuts, schools have been cutting back on the arts. So, if 4-H doesn’t provide these opportunities, who will?
How will kids and leaders benefit from the new photo endowment fund? Income earned on the principle will be used to:
- Support and maintain a highly successful statewide program of 4-H photo trainings
- Develop new photo training resources and opportunities for 4-H photo volunteers
- Market the photo program to new and diverse 4-H members and leaders
- Provide photo program scholarships for kids and leaders in need
$100,000 goal by 2012
I'm excited to announce that the endowment is off to a great start, thanks to generous donations from friends of 4-H photography, UW-Extension and 4-H staff, 4-H photo volunteers and youth, and county fair photo judges. We've set our goal high: $100,000 in five years. And we're already over a fourth of the way there! Thanks to all our contributors. A special thank you to Mike and Wendy Lougee of Minnesota whose contributions and ideas got us started.
Working with Mike Lougee and guiding our statewide fund-raising campaign is a group of veteran Wisconsin 4-H photo volunteers and staff who are excited about leaving a legacy that will last for generations to come. The steering committee members are:
- Dane County: Joyce Hach and Tom Miller
- La Crosse County: Doyle and Shirley Gates
- Outagamie County: Gary Holz
- Racine County: Tracy Strother
- Sauk County: Ann and Jeff Vogtschaller
- Vernon County: Al Lothen
- Winnebago County: Anne Rosenau
- Wood County: Barb and Jenn Lassa
 Serving as youth spokesperson for our new campaign is Ashley Viste, Door County 4-H photo member and youth leader. She’s a sophomore at UW-Madison and currently an intern and a board member for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. Last summer, Ashley worked as a photo intern at the White House in Washington, D.C. She has a great story to tell and energizes our campaign. Ashley and I would be happy to meet in person or by phone with any potential contributors.
So, won't you "picture yourself" in the 4-H photo fund? You can make a tax-deductible contribution by writing a check to the Wisconsin 4-H Photo Endowment Fund and sending it to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, 428 Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53703. For gifts of $500 or more, I'll send you one of my favorite photos of the Wisconsin Capitol as a thank you.
You can also contribute online through the University of Wisconsin Foundation Web Site. Under "Designation," you'll need to select "UW-Extension - 4-H Foundation." Where it asks, "If you would like to further restrict your gift to a specific department or program," write in "Wisconsin 4-H Photo Endowment Fund."
Below are a number of campaign resources for anyone who would like to support our campaign. We could use your help! If you have other ideas on how to spread the word on the endowment fund, I would love to talk with you. Just call me at 608-262-1067 or e-mail me at wayne.brabender@ces.uwex.edu. Thanks!
4-H Photo Fund Campaign Resources
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