The Tennessee 4-H Club Foundation was initiated in 1953 by a group of seven Tennessee business and agricultural leaders to secure funds to assist the annual Tennessee 4-H Congress. The Congress, held annually in Nashville, allows 4-H members to learn more about Tennessee state government and to participate in electing a 4-H governor, speaker of the house, and speaker of the senate. Members meet in the Senate and House chambers in the state capitol building, adopt legislation, and participate in the state 4-H public speaking program and history bowl.
The Foundation soon broadened its scope to support a variety of 4-H activities. In honor of its 50th anniversary in 2003, the organization conducted a $2 million endowment campaign.