$5,000 Matching Grant Available to Help FFA Chapters Establish Forever Blue Endowment Fund

Funding tied to participation in Kentucky FFA Centennial Celebration activities

Flemingsburg, Ky., September 8, 2026 — A new grant for FFA chapters who have not yet
established a Forever Blue endowment fund was announced today by the Kentucky FFA
Foundation.Forever Blue endowments are established through the Kentucky FFA Foundation for the benefit of a
specific FFA chapter or program. Once established, the endowment will pay annual dividends to the
designated chapter in perpetuity. An endowment needs at least $10,000 to open, which can be a
high hurdle for some chapters.

Nick Carter, a former Hustonville FFA member and long-time FFA supporter, has committed to
providing a $5,000 matching grant to help up to 11 FFA chapters establish their own Forever Blue
fund. “I hope this grant will help chapters in some of our least advantaged counties where the leadership
training provided by FFA can be most beneficial,” said Carter.

To qualify, the chapter must supply $5,000 and be willing to engage in one of the following FFA
centennial history and preservation projects:

 Three or more oral history interviews
 Development/curation of a list of past officers, award winners, and/or advisors
 Scan and catalog old chapter photos or scrapbooks and create an online photo archive
 Collect newspaper clippings from the community or local archives
 Create a documentary-style video that showcases the chapter’s history
 Develop a list of successful former members/officers with contact information
 Visual historical display for the Ag Classroom

“Establishing a Forever Blue endowment gives an FFA chapter an annual source of income not tied
to fundraising, the pressures of the local economy, or school administration. Documenting the history
of their chapter is something that benefits not only those who came before, but current and future
members and supporters,” said Sheldon McKinney, executive director of the Kentucky FFA
Foundation. “Nick’s generous commitment will make it possible for chapters who may not be able to raise the full
$10,000 on their own to establish a Forever Blue endowment. When you multiply that impact over the
years, thousands of students will benefit from this gift.”

Any chapter that is interested in this opportunity is encouraged to review the requirements and apply
at this link. In advance of Kentucky FFA’s 100th anniversary in 2030, the Kentucky FFA Foundation is working to
establish at least 100 Forever Blue endowments to support individual FFA chapters and statewide
programs.

For more information about the Forever Blue Endowment Program, contact Sheldon
McKinney at sheldon.mckinney@kyffa.org.

About the Kentucky FFA Foundation
The Kentucky FFA Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting agricultural
education and FFA across the Commonwealth. Through partnerships with individuals, businesses,
foundations, and agricultural leaders, the Foundation provides resources that help Kentucky FFA
members grow as leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture.