4-H Fundraising
If you plan a fundraising activity for your 4-H unit or Volunteer Management Organization (VMO), you must submit it to your UCCE county office for approval. You need to complete the Fundraising Approval Form and receive approval from you county Community Education Specialist and the Regional Program Coordinator before you begin any fundraising. County staff review your request to make sure your fundraising activity follows all 4-H policies.
This page helps you understand how fundraising works in the 4-H Youth Development Program.
You can review detailed policies at:
California 4-H Chapter 9: Financial Management Policy page
Fundraising for a Service Learning Project
If you are planning a service learning project, you can combine service and learning to create a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Your project should benefit others while also helping you learn and grow. Through service learning, you actively reflect on your experiences and apply what you learn from your service work.
For more information and tools for Service Learning projects visit the UC 4-H YDP Service Learning Projects page.
Facility Use Agreements
If you plan to hold your fundraiser at a location where a Facility Use Agreement (FUA) is not already in place, you need to request one through your UCCE Office. The office will work with the property owner or legal custodian to obtain the agreement.
Only the UCCE Central Sierra County Director can review and sign Facility Use Agreements. All agreements must list “The Regents of the University of California” as the licensee.
You must not sign a Facility Use Agreement yourself. This includes 4-H staff, adult volunteers, and youth members.
Request a Facility Use Agreement
To start the process, you can submit a request with the Central Sierra 4-H Facility Use Agreement (FUA) / Event Participation Request Form.
Food Safety Certification
You need to make sure your club has at least one 4-H volunteer trained in food safety. This is required by the State 4-H Office. If you are preparing, serving, or selling food to the public, a certified volunteer must be present to make sure proper food safety practices are followed.
Get Certified
You can complete food safety training online at any time. The ServSafe training program widely recognized, meets California requirements for food handlers, and is valid for three years.
The training costs $12 per person. Your club, council, or management board may choose to cover this cost for volunteers.
Additional Resources
You can find more information on the UC ANR Environmental Health & Safety Food Safety Education webpage.
Temporary Food Permit
If you are selling food as part of your fundraiser, you will likely need to obtain a temporary food permit from your county’s Environmental Health Department. Each county has its own requirements for temporary food permits.
County Resources
You can find permit information for your county below:
Temporary Food Permit
If you are selling food as part of your fundraiser, you will likely need to obtain a temporary food permit from your county’s Environmental Health Department. Each county has its own requirements for temporary food permits.
County Resources
You can find permit information for your county below:
- Amador County: Food Facilities Program
- Calaveras County: Environmental Health Food Facility Program
- El Dorado County: Temporary Food Facilities and Community Events
- Tuolumne County: Safe Food Permits and Information
Branding Toolkit
You need to use the 4-H Brand Kit to make sure your fundraising materials follow USDA and UC ANR branding requirements. This includes all flyers, announcements, and other marketing materials.
You can access the 4-H Brand Kit for approved logos, formatting, and usage guidelines.