Tractor Supply aims to give back to the community in a variety of ways, and along the way, we've had the opportunity to partner with a few national organizations that share our mission for outreach. Read more about our Partnerships by clicking the links below.
What started as an experiment to expose young people to agricultural advances has evolved into the nation's largest youth development organization. Tractor Supply has been more than a witness to that growth as we have been a proud supporter since 2010.
Today's 4-H touches more than six million youth across the country, and Tractor Supply continues to sponsor its innovative programs. In addition to corporate donations, all the 1,800+ Tractor Supply stores participate in signature "Paper Clover" events to raise money and awareness for local 4-H Clubs.
These twice-a-year events provide crucial support, with 90 percent of the money remaining in the state where it was collected. Last year, the Paper Clover events alone raised nearly $2,000,000. Read more about Paper Clover here. This is in addition to thousands of community and partner programs we sponsor locally.
In 1928, the National FFA Organization was founded by a group of young farmers to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing nation. Today the organization grows future biologists, chemists, veterinarians and engineers.
Tractor Supply has been one of the longest and largest sponsors of FFA, dating back to 1985.
Since 1985, we have contributed over $11.2 million to support education and scholarship programs that are preparing students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. This support allows thousands of members from across the country to pursue interests ranging from animal production to ag mechanics and landscape management to vegetable production. In total, Tractor Supply sponsors 8 proficiency areas. Read more about our partnership and the many ways we support FFA.
In 2016, Tractor Supply introduced the Grants for Growing Fundraiser. The 2019 fundraiser raised $970,122, enabling us to award 259 grants to FFA chapters across the country. Just this year alone, the grants will directly impact over 24,000 FFA members. From research farms to outdoor learning centers, the grants will be used to grow classrooms, chapters and agriculture awareness. For more details about the program, visit www.FFA.org/GrantsForGrowing.
We are also proud to be the national sponsor of FFA Week. Held every year during George Washington's birthday, this event provides thousands of members with an opportunity to share their passion for agriculture with the public and demonstrate their leadership skills by volunteering for community projects. Tractor Supply stores play an active role in this event, staging store fundraisers and demonstrations that highlight the accomplishments of local FFA Chapters.
These experiences and the leadership skills they foster will equip thousands of individuals for personal success. We can't think of a better way to invest in the future of our agricultural land and lifestyle.
Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, Tractor Supply supports a variety of nonprofit organizations in Middle Tennessee. For nearly 15 years, Tractor Supply has enjoyed a partnership with the United Way of Williamson County (UWWC) and represents the largest employer donations to UWWC.
Team members at the Store Support Center have the opportunity to participate in the Company Matching Program where we match 50 cents for every $1 donated. The money benefits a variety of groups in Middle Tennessee, and our team members have the option to earmark their donations to specific organizations. In 2019, our team hit a milestone donation of $1 million, making us the first million-dollar United Way campaign in the history of Williamson County.
Furthermore, the United Way of Williamson County helps facilitate the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Through Neighbors Helping Neighbors, team members at the Store Support Center can take up to eight hours of paid time off each year to volunteer. United Way coordinates the volunteer opportunities, which have included gardening, painting fences, packing boxes of food for children in need and more.