Start an alumni & supporters Chapter

Why Should You Start an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter?

FFA Alumni and Supporters chapters can be a wonderful resource and support for FFA advisors by mentoring and coaching FFA members, advocating for agricultural education, identifying funding opportunities, and much more! To learn more about starting your own Alumni and Supporters chapter, visit www.ffa.org/alumni. 

Steps to Start or re-charter an Alumni and Supporters Chapter

If you aren’t sure where to start or have questions, please email admin@mnffaalumni.org for guidance.

There is a video below, followed by an infographic with steps to complete your setup. Please download the document for live links.

1. Have an interest meeting for your Alumni and Supporters Chapter and invite people to attend. Invite your Regional Director. You need 10 members to add to your roster (gather each person’s address, email, and cell phone number for the roster) to start your Alumni and Supporters Chapter.
2. Complete the “Application for Chartering/Rechartering” to get connected with our membership team and email it to admin@mnffaalumni.org
3. The annual fee is $325 for 2026-2027 (Nationals increase by $25). Your chapter can hold a fundraiser or collect donations to cover this fee.
   • A check should be sent to the Minnesota FFA Alumni and Supporters, Attn: Stan Vander Kooi, 1405 3^rd Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313.
4. Once National FFA has processed your Charter Application and we have received your $325 fee, you will receive an email from Minnesota Leadership with your chapter number, a blank roster to complete, and a customizable bylaws document.
5. Contact the local FFA Advisor and ask them to log in to their ffa.org chapter account and link the FFA Alumni Supporters Chapter. They will log in and see the request to link the local FFA Chapter with the Alumni and Supporters Chapter.
6. The Alumni chapter leader/s should also create a personal login to ffa.org.
   • Were you a past FFA member or already have an old account? Check here to see! Save your login information. Click here to log in to ffa.org
7. Chapter leaders, now you must request to be a leader for your chapter. Please use this resource and this screenshot resource to help!
   • Ask your local FFA Advisor to approve this leadership request or email admin@mnffaalumni.org to request help.
8. Once leaders are linked with the Alumni Chapter they can login and see the Alumni and Supporters Chapter information.
9. Once you are logged in, you can access your chapter page and submit your roster and bylaws (must be in pdf). (If you have trouble email admin@mnffaalumni.org)
   • Chapters have 30 days to submit their rosters with at least 10 members to admin@mnffaalumni.org (use this document and complete all pink columns) ALL members must have an address, email and phone number or it will not be accepted.
   • Your bylaws document can be filled in and saved as a PDF for submission.
10. Once payment is received, you will be mailed a packet from National FFA Alumni and Supporters, which will include your charter. This information will be necessary for tax and banking purposes.
11. Apply for Group Exemption through the National FFA Organization – The editable National FFA 501(c) (3) application is here. By completing this application, your FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter will be included under the National Group Exemption. This Group Exemption number will be provided to you and must be used on your 990/990-N/990-EZ Tax Filing. You must file every year, or you will lose the right to use the group exemption and will have to apply and pay for your own individual tax-exempt exemption. Stay up to date on your tax filing!
12. Apply for your Federal EIN number by completing this application. (scroll down to “Apply for an EIN”)
13. File with the MN Secretary of State – this is required.
    • The Secretary of State Website has step by step directions here.
      • This is required for all Alumni and Supporter Chapters to be recognized as a non-profit in Minnesota and must be renewed each year. The initial fee is $50.
14. File with the MN Attorney General – this is required.
    • Complete the initial registration form here, which requires a $25 fee.
      • Annual Reporting is required. Our yearly compliance page has more information.
15. Download the MN St3 Form to use for Tax Exempt Purchasing in your local community.
    • User Guide can be found here.
    • An St3 form can be completed and provided to local businesses to be considered tax-exempt.
16. 501c3, EIN and MN Registration Basics Helpful Hints document.
    • All chapters under the National Umbrella should follow the same fiscal year of August 1-July 31st.
    • Other helpful tax information can be found here.
17. Encourage others to register as a member of your chapter on their own through ffa.org – they can create a login, too!
18. Contact National FFA for a custom logo for your chapter – email emendez@ffa.org to request your logo.

In this Video, Membership Coordinator Joy Schmitt, shares the details of how to start an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter.