Getting Started with the Extension Foundation

At the request of Cooperative Extension professionals, the Extension Foundation has developed an interactive tool to help Land-grant university professionals get familiarized with the Extension Foundation, its tools, national funded programs, services, and learn how the Foundation can be a partner in making a greater impact on local issues. The Extension Foundation serves all 112 Land-grant universities in the United States regardless of membership. Extension Foundation members receive additional benefits through our Member Services that can be found on our website at extension.org.

It is available at extension.org/start and can be found under the About section of the extension.org website, and on Connect Extension. The Foundation invites its land-grant university partners regardless of membership status to include this tool in the onboarding of new employees to help share how the Foundation can serve local needs, funding opportunities available through the Foundation, and to stay connected to national projects.

Land-grant university professionals and the public can explore information about the Extension Foundation’s five national funded programs, how to take advantage of member services, technology tools available, frequently asked questions, contact information, and how to stay connected with the Extension Foundation.

About the Extension Foundation

The Extension Foundation was formed in 2006 by Extension Directors and Administrators. The Foundation partners with Cooperative Extension through liaison roles and a formal plan of work with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) to increase system capacity while providing programmatic services, and helping Extension programs scale and investigate new methods and models for implementing programs. The Foundation provides professional development to Cooperative Extension professionals and offers exclusive services to its members. In 2020 and 2021, the Extension Foundation has awarded 85% of its direct funding back to the Cooperative Extension System, 100% of funds are used to support Cooperative Extension initiatives.