Fair Foundation

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair Foundation is a vehicle for receiving tax-deductible gifts from friends of the Fair who wish to be assured that their gift will be entrusted to a legal foundation endowment. Only the earnings may be used and no part of the principal can ever be touched.

Gifts such as stock, bonds, cash, insurance policies, real estate properties, trusts, etc. can be given now or specified in your will, as you plan your estate. To receive the maximum benefit to your estate, you may want to discuss these options with your attorney, accountant, or trust officer. The distributions from the Foundation cannot be used for any other person or organization other than the Fair or Fair organization that you designate.

The gifts received by the Fair Foundation will be entrusted to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.

Our mission is to build and maintain a financial reserve endowment in accordance with the agreement dated January 13, 1993, with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc. The purpose of this agreement is to assure financial support to the infrastructure and organization of the Fair in order to provide facilities for the perpetuation of the 4-H program and other organizations and members of the community entitled to use the Fairgrounds, as permitted by the Fair Board.

Contributions made to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and designated to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Foundation, receive 25% in matching funds from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.
Example: A $100 donation turns into a $125 donation!

Donations may be made in two ways:
Option 1 - Paper Check
Donations made via check should be made out in the following way:

• Make the check payable to THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY.
• In the memo area, please note that the donation is for Elkhart County 4-H Fair Foundation

Check donations may then be mailed to either of the following:
Option 2 - Online
Donations may be made online through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County's website. To access the online donation portal, please click on the button below and search for "Elkhart County 4-H Fair Foundation".

DONATION PORTAL

Simplicity
Give to the Fair Foundation and the rest will be taken care of in accordance with your wishes.

Security
The foundation will monitor and report all financial transactions.

Continuity
Your gifts to the Foundation Endowment will continue to be used toward the maintenance and improvements of the Fairgrounds for future generations.

Tax Deductible
The Fair Foundation is an IRS-approved public charity. Therefore, you can take the maximum deduction allowed by law.

Avoid Capital Gains Tax
One of the best ways to give to the Foundation is to make a contribution in the form of long term securities. You receive an immediate tax deduction for the fair market value, and you are not subject to tax on the appreciation.

Reduce Estate Taxes
Making a gift to the Fair Foundation in your will is full deductible from your estate taxes.

Originating in 1856, the Fair as we know it actually received its Certificate of Incorporation from the State of Indiana in December of 1955.

Its legal name is the Elkhart County 4-H and Agricultural Exposition, Inc. Its purpose is to serve as an exposition platform for our great Elkhart County 4-H program which is directed by the Elkhart County Extension Service, an arm of Purdue University.

In 1911, Congress realized the values 4-H had to offer in teaching America's youth and enacted legislature to create a National 4-H Program. In that year, 94% of 4-H'ers were from farms and 6% were from cities. Today, 91% are from urban areas and 9% are from rural areas. This trend adds new meaning to the expression "4-H is not just for farm kids anymore." Truly, 4-H is for all youth.

The Fair has experienced great success over the years. It has accumulated over 380 aces of land and 70 buildings. These assets are the result of tremendous community support given to the Fair. The Fair is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is able to sustain it's operating expenses and day to day maintenance. Capital additions and improvments are accomplished through appeals to the community and grants, as we are not tax supported.