Many of the opportunities FFA members have access to are, in part, through support from state FFA foundations. Foundation staff build relationships with potential supporters and industry connections that can benefit members through sponsorships, scholarships, grants, networking opportunities and more.
State FFA foundations want to help FFA members succeed, now and in the future. Here are some ways you can help contribute to that goal.
- Connect with your state FFA foundation.
Start by visiting your state FFA foundation’s website. Follow the group on social media. Discover activities and consider how you might get involved. By staying connected to your state foundation, you will have better access to resources and to opportunities to give back.
- Connect with your community.
The best partnerships between local chapters and state FFA foundations happen because of strong community involvement, says Rochell Planty, Arizona FFA Foundation executive director. Volunteer at local events and give back. Not only will you gain personal satisfaction, but you will also create opportunities for your community to see an organization worth supporting.
- Be curious.
Tell your story, Planty adds, and also listen to the stories of those in your community. Take advantage of any chance you have to hear a presentation or meet a business leader. Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation executive director, encourages members and advisors to ask questions and consider how they might apply new information for the benefit of their chapter. If there is a potential relationship with a community member or business you’d like to foster, reach out to your state FFA foundation by phone or email.
- Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
One role of state FFA foundations is to express gratitude to donors and other stakeholders, Alejandro says. You can support this work by cultivating your own attitude of gratitude, which he describes as enthusiastic, energetic and optimistic. Express gratitude by sharing your time, talent, treasures and testimony.
- Say “thank you.”
More specifically, remember to say, “Thank you.” When you receive a scholarship or award, find out who sponsored it and thank them. Alejandro likes to see donors thanked seven times, by different people and in different ways. A handwritten note is always nice, as is a personal visit or phone call. Think of innovative ways to express your appreciation. Alejandro recalls a scholarship recipient who sent a donor a framed photo of her holding her certificate with a thank-you note written below.
If you have an idea on a potential relationship or a way to thank FFA supporters, reach out to your state FFA foundation and learn more about the work of the National FFA Foundation.
