American-International Junior Charolais Foundation (AIJCF)

Development of the American-International Junior Charolais Foundation (AIJCF) a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation began in 1970 when breed leaders met and formulated the initial plans to provide leadership and scholarship opportunities for Charolais youth. These efforts led to the AIJCF’s first leadership and scholarship programs being introduced at the 1973 National Junior Leadership Conference. Through the early 1980’s, AIJCF programs continued to expand with the support of Charolais breeders nationwide. 1985 was a benchmark year for AIJCF when major contributions allowed for the program’s first endowed scholarships. Today, seven endowed scholarship funds form the foundation for the program.

In 2023, AIJCF awarded 28 youth from 13 states over $42,000 in scholarships. Selection criteria includes academic and leadership excellence. $4,250 is awarded to exhibitors at the Junior National Show and Leadership Conference for their achievements. The Raymond Hicks Fund provides support for the Junior National Leadership Conference. AIJCF Scholarship Application deadline is April 30.

Your tax-deductible minimum donation of $20,000 to the American-International Junior Charolais Foundation will allow you to name a scholarship which will become endowed after a period of one year. A minimum donation of $1,000 to the American-International Junior Charolais Foundation will allow the donor to name a scholarship to be awarded at the next Junior National. Donations of any size are encouraged at all times.

Scholarships are awarded at a thousand dollars ($1,000). Scholarship will be dispersed according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the American-International Junior Charolais Foundation (AIJCF) scholarship guidelines. This scholarship will be awarded in two stipends, one-half for the fall semester and one-half for the spring semester, upon the recipient providing the following documentation:

1. An official, final copy of the recipient’s high school transcript if the individual is a first semester freshman or an official, final copy of the individual’s last semester college transcript if a current college student. Transcripts must be the original documents, not photocopies, and they must be on official forms from the appropriate institution.


2. Proof of full-time status enrollment must be supplied from the institution’s Registrar’s office on official letterhead if enrolled at a two-year or a four-year institution. The document must state that the individual is currently a full-time student (12 or more semester hours) and in good standing with the institution. This information cannot be supplied until classes have started and the add/drop period for the institution has passed. Recipients enrolled in a vocational or trade school must provide proof of enrollment from the school.