NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2025

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sheldon McKinney
Executive Director
Kentucky FFA Foundation
606-782-4620
sheldon.mckinney@kyffa.org

Media Kit

Kentucky FFA Foundation Announces $11 Million Gift From Bill Gatton Foundation

Kentucky FFA Foundation Announces $11 Million Gift From Bill Gatton FoundationGift will create unprecedented opportunities for 24,000+ Kentucky students — largest donation to any FFA Foundation in U.S. history

Opportunities for Kentucky students to grow and learn through FFA experiences increased exponentially today, thanks to a $11 million gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation.

The donation, which is the largest gift to any FFA Foundation ever in the United States, was announced during a news conference at the Kentucky State Fair. Kentucky FFA Foundation Executive Director Sheldon McKinney shared that the funds will be used to grow current programs and add new opportunities for FFA members, including:

• Enhancements to the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center and the FFA camp experience

• More FFA camp scholarships for individual members and chapters

• Increased prize money for state winners of Career and Leadership Development Events

• A Foundation-led bus tour to the FFA Washington Leadership Conference for up to 100 students, as well as scholarships for students with financial need

• A Forever Blue endowment to Muhlenberg and McLean County FFA chapters

The Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center will be renamed the Carol Martin Gatton Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center in honor of Mr. Gatton’s historic gift.

“Mr. Bill Gatton has a legacy of leadership, inspiring philanthropy, and a deep love of Kentucky,” said McKinney. “This gift to Kentucky FFA, which was a piece of his leadership development, will offer life-changing opportunities for generations of future FFA members. The Carol Martin Gatton Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center is a place that has grown thousands of Kentucky FFA members into true leaders in their homes, communities and our state. Mr. Gatton’s gift will ensure that we continue to thrive.”

Gatton served as Kentucky FFA State President in 1950. He went on to tremendous success as a businessman but is best remembered for his philanthropy. This gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation will give tens of thousands of Kentucky FFA members the opportunity to use FFA as a springboard for their own successes as entrepreneurs, leaders, and members of their communities.

FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. More than 24,000 Kentucky students are members of FFA. In 2024, Kentucky FFA members earned more than $13.2 million through work-based projects and completed 26,489 hours of community service.