The 4-H Charter indicates that a 4-H Club or Group is organized in accordance with the objectives of the Wisconsin 4-H program. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension grants 4-H Charters which formally authorizes a Wisconsin 4-H Club or Group to use the 4-H Name and Emblem for educational purposes in accordance with laws and regulations established by Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  In addition, the 4-H Charter Application provides:

• Documentation of educational activities of the 4-H Club or Group/Committee needed for liability coverage for 4-H volunteers and members
• Program impact evaluation and educational planning
• Documentation of compliance by 4-H Clubs and Groups with EEO, ADA guidelines and Civil Rights laws.

The NEW Wisconsin 4-H Charter Application will be posted in August 2021.

Other important Wisconsin 4-H Charter information:

• All 4-H Clubs and Groups must be chartered, be formally recognized as a committee of a chartered County 4-H Leader Organization or report directly to the 4-H Program Educator.
• Requirements for a 4-H Club and chartered Groups are listed on the Wisconsin 4-H Policies webpage.
• A 4-H Charter is given to a new 4-H Club or Group once all requirements are met. The successful completion of the Wisconsin 4-H Charter Application begins this process.
• 4-H Charters are renewed annually and will be granted upon successful completion of the Wisconsin 4-H Charter Application.
• The Wisconsin 4-H Charter Application deadline is November 1 for returning 4-H Clubs and Groups or an earlier date as determined by the 4-H Program Educator.
• Failure to submit a completed Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Charter Application by the due date could result in the 4-H Club or Group being dissolved.

Checking or Savings Accounts for 4-H Clubs and Groups*

All 4-H Clubs and Groups that have a checking and/or savings account must complete the Articles of Organization and have an Employee Identification Number before any accounts can be opened.

In addition, 4-H Clubs and Groups that have a checking and/or savings account must annually complete and submit the following documents to the 4-H Program Educator by September 1:

1. Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Financial Report
2. Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Audit Checklist
3. A copy of the checkbook and/or savings registry covering July 1 – June 30
4. A copy of the bank statement ending June 30 or July 1 for each account. Any differences between the bank statement(s) and the ending balance reported must be reconciled and the reconciliation must be uploaded with the Annual Financial Report.
5. A current inventory of land, buildings, property or project equipment with individual values of $1,000 or greater.
6. Monthly Treasurer’s Reports for 4-H Clubs or Groups with annual income greater or equal to $20,000.

This process allows the 4-H Club or Group to qualify for federal tax exempt status under the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents General Exemption Number (GEN) for Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups.

Failure to submit a completed Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Annual Financial Report and support documents by the due date could result in loss of tax exempt status and forfeiture of all financial assets.

*Please note that 4-H Clubs and Groups are not required to have a checking and/or savings account.

Resources

• Audit Instructions provides general guidance on how to conduct an audit.
• The IRS GEN Determination Letter outlines the accountability, responsibilities, and reporting requirements to maintain the Group Exemption Number.
• How to Save a Fillable PDF Form