MADISON, Wis. (December 2, 2009) – The Federated Youth Foundation (FYF), a non-profit charitable foundation serving cooperatives across Wisconsin, reported that it awarded a sum of nearly $448,000 in scholarships and to local charitable causes over the past year. After a rough ride in the stock market, FYF emerged from its 2009 fiscal year in good financial condition, with assets of nearly $1.5 million, down just $115,000 from a year earlier.

“The Federated Youth Foundation exemplifies cooperatives’ concern for their communities,” said David Erickson, FYF Executive Director. “Wisconsin’s cooperatives gave back to their local 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, fire departments, hospitals, libraries, museums, YMCAs, cancer walks, rural health care initiatives, foundations, hospices, boy scouts, girl scouts, rural safety camps, literacy programs, community gardens, and more.”

The Federated Youth Foundation was formed in 1970 by a group of Wisconsin cooperatives with the common goal of managing unclaimed patronage refunds for the good of local communities.  Funds are disbursed from FYF as requested by member cooperatives as scholarships and charitable contributions.  In the past year, FYF awarded more than $323,000 in 529 scholarships, and an additional $112,000 was disbursed to 135 local charitable causes on behalf of cooperative members. Nearly $12,000 was awarded to cooperative education and training programs.

The following cooperators were announced as the 2009-2010 board:

• Todd Rosvold, Pulaski Chase Cooperative, Pulaski, Wis., elected as FYF president
• Brian Kulas, Taylor Electric Cooperative, Medford, Wis., elected as FYF vice president
• Cheri Gibeaut, Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative, Endeavor, Wis., elected as Secretary-Treasurer
• Tony Wagner, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, Cecil, Wis.
• Rick Kolb, Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative, Lancaster, Wis.
• Tom Haynes, Landmark Services Cooperative, Cottage Grove, Wis.
• Clarence Boettcher, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, Fairchild, Wis.

            The Federated Youth Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit charitable foundation serving Wisconsin’s varied cooperative businesses, including: farm supply, genetics, dairy marketing, consumer, grocery, livestock marketing, telephone, electric, insurance, cable communications, and more. Since 1987, FYF has awarded scholarships and charitable contributions totaling more than $5.9 million, with $2.2 million disbursed in the past five years.