INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization has received $3 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen Indiana FFA chapters.

The National FFA will partner with Indiana FFA to strengthen the organization in six primary areas: teacher professional development, recruitment and retention; curriculum development; capital support; staffing; and marketing. These initiatives will create an array of support programs to assist agriculture teachers in creating meaningful student interaction and expanding engagement with students from underrepresented and marginalized populations—a key focus of the National FFA Organization’s current strategic plan.

“This transformational investment will enable us, in partnership with Indiana FFA, to expand the impact of local FFA chapters and agricultural education programs on youth across Indiana,” said Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization. “We want everyone to feel welcome and a part of FFA and agricultural education. This funding helps us to support our teachers while offering resources to ensure Indiana FFA has the capacity and infrastructure to expand access for students from low-income households, communities of color, immigrant populations, students who lack adult supervision, or any other student who could benefit from FFA experiences.”

“The support of Lilly Endowment means many more students can enjoy what our leadership camp and programs are about in Indiana,” said Tamara Ketchen, director of the Indiana FFA. “We hope students develop the leadership skills and confidence to pursue a career in agriculture and food and stay in Indiana.”

The grant is one of nine grants totaling $91.5 million that Lilly Endowment has made to national youth-serving organizations to help them enhance and expand the impact of their Indiana affiliates and chapters. The grants reflect the Endowment’s longstanding commitment to the healthy development of youth in Indiana and to the youth workers and organizations that serve them.

“At Lilly Endowment we believe that this support will help National FFA and the other organizations funded serve more effectively in Indiana and reach even more youth,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “We also are pleased by the interest many of these organizations have in replicating strategies that succeed in Indiana with their affiliates and chapters around the country.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

# # #

About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.

About the Indiana FFA Association

The Indiana FFA is the largest Career and Technical Student Organization in Indiana with over 12,000 members as part of 219 local FFA chapters across the state. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture provides leadership and direction for the Indiana FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more information, visit the Indiana FFA webpage at inffa.org, or follow the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BlogSpot.

About the Indiana FFA Foundation
The Indiana FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, and individuals to secure financial resources that support the efforts of the Indiana FFA Association, recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education in Indiana.  Governed by a 16-member board of directors composed of business leaders, educators, and individual donors, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. For more information, visit the Indiana FFA Foundation at inffa.org/foundation.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.