CHS Foundation concentrates its grantmaking on youth development within agriculture, supporting national organizations that prepare young people for careers and leadership in the food and agriculture sector. Major gifts fund large-scale partnerships and programs—including DEI-focused youth leadership initiatives—rather than many small local projects. The foundation appears to prioritize scalable, national programmatic investments that build the next generation of agricultural leaders and strengthen agribusiness systems.
Chs Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $1.43 million partnership with National FFA Foundation Inc for the National FFA Partnership for the Future, a signal that the foundation backs large, national investments in agricultural youth leadership. Across the recent grants list, the same pattern appears in repeated support for 4-H leadership programs, ag education, and workforce development that prepares students for careers in the food and agriculture sector. Rather than spreading money across many small local projects, the foundation favors scalable partnerships, university-based training, and program support tied to career pathways in agriculture. The recent record also shows a strong emphasis on building the next generation of leaders through educational infrastructure and experiential learning. Grants to National 4-H Council support positive youth development events and equity leadership programming, while awards to institutions such as Colorado State University, North Dakota State University, and University of Idaho Foundation Inc point to a blend of youth development, precision agriculture education, and industry pipeline work. The foundation’s grantmaking is tightly linked to agriculture and the cooperative sector, with recurring support for organizations that can deliver programs nationally or across its trade area.
Youth leadership is central to Chs Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $500,000 to National 4-H Council for 4-H positive youth development events focused on growing the next generation of DEI leaders, and another $500,000 to the same organization for the 4-H Equity Leaders / True Leaders in Equity project. Career preparation in agriculture is another clear theme. The foundation awarded $256,870 to Kansas State University for the Precision Agronomy Teaching Hub, described as education through smart farm integration and training, and $250,000 to North Dakota State University for enhancing educational opportunities for the next generation of precision agriculture practitioners. It also supports agribusiness and technical workforce development. A $362,634 grant to Northwest Foundation Inc funded systems management for agribusiness and manufacturing, while $250,000 to University of Idaho Foundation Inc supported the AgribEEF Meat Science and Innovation Center and its talent pipeline for the meat industry. Agriculture safety appears as a separate cause area, including grants to Marshfield Clinic Inc and Agrisafe Network Inc for rural firefighter and targeted-population training.
Current and upcoming funding from Chs Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: University-based agriculture programs and partner institutions are supported through the CHS Foundation.
Deadline: Jan. 1 to Feb. 28
$4M
$58.4M
$11.9M
$3.9M
Most grants fall between $6K and $22K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$22K
About 14% of grants go to recipients in MN.
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Highly concentrated: a small number of very large grants to national organizations, with repeat funding to core grantees (multiple grants to National 4‑H Council and sizeable, nearly equal gifts to National FFA entities).
Notable grantees: National 4‑H Council, National FFA Foundation / National FFA Foundation Inc, Northwest Foundation Inc
Chs Foundation’s recent grant sizes cluster around a median of $10,000, with a lower quartile of $6,250 and an upper quartile of $22,000, even as a smaller set of six- and seven-figure awards drives the headline activity. The pattern looks recurring rather than one-off: National FFA Foundation, National 4-H Council, Discovery Education, North Dakota State University, and Mitchell Technical Institute Foundation each appear more than once across the recent grants list. The foundation is structured as a grantmaker that also funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. Application channels appear to include annual windows and year-round requests for several programs, including cooperative education, general stewardship, ag safety, and Twin Cities funding.
Giving is national, and every recent grant in the provided list went to U.S. recipients. The strongest concentration is in Minnesota, which is also the top state by grant count at 14% of grants. Recent awards reach a wide set of cities, including Indianapolis, Washington, Charlotte, Fort Collins, Manhattan, Fargo, Moscow, and Minneapolis. That mix suggests a national reach with repeated funding in major agriculture and education hubs rather than a single local footprint.
Its recent grants center on agricultural youth leadership, career preparation, agribusiness workforce development, precision agriculture education, and agriculture safety. Examples in the data include 4-H leadership programming, National FFA partnerships, university-based ag-tech training, and safety education for rural firefighters and other targeted populations.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, including National FFA Foundation, National 4-H Council, Discovery Education, North Dakota State University, and Mitchell Technical Institute Foundation. That pattern points to ongoing partnerships rather than isolated awards.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the median, with a lower quartile of $6,250 and an upper quartile of $22,000. The recent list also includes much larger program grants, such as $1.43 million to National FFA Foundation Inc and $500,000 awards to National 4-H Council.
Several programs accept unsolicited requests, including Ag Health and Safety Grants, General Stewardship / Community Giving, general stewardship requests, Twin Cities funding, ag safety, cooperative matching grants, and agricultural and cooperative education. Scholarships are awarded through partner colleges and universities rather than through unsolicited applications.
Minnesota is the top state by grant count, accounting for 14% of grants. The recent grants list also shows awards in many other U.S. locations, including Indianapolis, Washington, Charlotte, Fort Collins, Manhattan, Fargo, Moscow, and Minneapolis.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Who can apply: Foundation funding supports agricultural education and related programs. Organizations must generally be 501(c)(3) or related charities; CHS Foundation support is focused within the CHS trade area and does not support individuals or most school requests.
Deadline: Year-round
Who can apply: Projects should align with agricultural health and safety priorities; organizations are generally expected to be charitable entities.
Deadline: Year-round
Who can apply: Requests must benefit agriculture or the cooperative industry; organizations must be a 501c3 or related charity. CHS does not support individuals, sports teams, academic/local school requests outside Seeds for Stewardship, medical/disease causes, religious groups, political efforts, dairy-related requests, or a cooperative's own foundation.
Deadline: Year-round
Who can apply: Organizations with programs that advance ag health and safety; aligns with CHS Foundation priorities.
Deadline: Apply year-round.
Who can apply: Requests must benefit agriculture or cooperative industry; see program page or contact stewardship@chsinc.com for guidance.
Deadline: Apply year-round (rolling).
Who can apply: Organizations must be a 501c3 or related charity. Projects should benefit agriculture or cooperative industry. Same exclusions apply (no individuals, religious groups, dairy-industry requests, etc.).
Deadline: Apply year-round (rolling).
Who can apply: Organizations must be a 501c3 or related charity. CHS supports national-level and state-level requests within its main trade area; local projects are accepted through Seeds for Stewardship. CHS does not support individuals, sports teams, academic/local school requests outside Seeds for Stewardship, medical/disease causes, religious groups, political efforts, dairy-related requests, or a cooperative's own foundation.
Deadline: Year-round
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | 4-H POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EVENTS: GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DEI LEADERS |
| AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA | LIBERTY, MO | $272,500 | 2025 | 2024-26 AFA PROGRAM SUPPORT AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT COLLINS, CO | $260,566 | 2025 | AGRITECH: LEARNING MODULES FOR SOIL, SEED, AND PLANT HEALTH USING SENSORS, AI, AND DATA SCIENCE |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FARGO, ND | $250,000 | 2025 | NEXT CHAPTER AT NDSU |
| DISCOVERY EDUCATION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $250,000 | 2025 | COOPERATIVE MINDS: CHS FOUNDATION + DISCOVERY EDUCATION |
| MARSHFIELD CLINIC INC | MARSHFIELD, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | RURAL FIREFIGHTERS DELIVERING AGRICULTURE SAFETY AND HEALTH (RF-DASH) EXPANSION |
| PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $160,000 | 2025 | PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE SAFETY DAY |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY | STILLWATER, OK | $149,511 | 2025 | AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO PREPARING TEACHERS TO DEVELOP A NEW GENERATION OF AGRICULTURAL LEADERS |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC | PEOSTA, IA | $135,000 | 2025 | AG SAFETY TRAINING FOR TARGETED POPULATIONS |
| FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE | APPLETON, WI | $133,000 | 2025 | SPRAYER SIMULATOR AND SEED METER STAND |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC | PEOSTA, IA | $126,000 | 2025 | TRAINING COMMUNITIES AND PROFESSIONALS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO FEED THE WORLD |
| NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM | PALM COAST, FL | $110,000 | 2025 | 2025 NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM SUPPORT |
| MITCHELL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | MITCHELL, SD | $100,000 | 2025 | 3D PRINTING |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $83,333 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MANKATO FOUNDATION INCORPORATED | MANKATO, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AG & FOOD LEADERS THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS |
| NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | JAMESTOWN, ND | $65,000 | 2025 | NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION CAMP |
| NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $55,000 | 2025 | NFU COOPERATIVE AND ONLINE EDUCATION |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CORVALLIS, OR | $50,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS ANYWHERE: MEETING STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM |
| NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | NFU GENERAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP |
| FARM RESCUE | HORACE, ND | $33,334 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS DONATION |
| WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION INC | CHIPPEWA FLS, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | CAMP PROGRAM |
| ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATORS | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | AGCOOP CONNECT: FOSTERING INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP IN AG CO-OPS |
| COOPERATIVE EDUCATION CORPORATION | GREAT FALLS, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $23,158 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $22,500 | 2025 | MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP PROGRAMS |
| SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | HURON, SD | $22,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY OF COOPERATION |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CANYON, TX | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FOUNDATION INC | MOSCOW, ID | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS | LINCOLN, NE | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BROOKINGS, SD | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION | RIVER FALLS, WI | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | STILLWATER, OK | $22,000 | 2025 | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | JAMESTOWN, ND | $20,000 | 2025 | NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EPIC PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE | WASHINGTON, DC | $18,000 | 2025 | COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $17,000 | 2025 | COMMODITY CHALLENGE |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL & CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $16,540 | 2025 | COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM |
| LANE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DIGHTON, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | CHS FOUNDATION RURAL COMMUNITY GRANT |
| IOWA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION | JOHNSTON, IA | $12,000 | 2025 | INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSION SPONSORSHIP |
| SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | BROOKINGS, SD | $12,000 | 2025 | AG & RURAL LEADERSHIP 2023-2024 |
| ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $12,000 | 2025 | ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP YEARLY FUNDING |
| FARM FOUNDATION | OAK BROOK, IL | $12,000 | 2025 | YOUNG FARMER/YOUNG AGRIFOOD LEADER NEXT GENERATION PROGRAM |
| AGRIINSTITUTE INC | DANVILLE, IN | $12,000 | 2025 | INDIANA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FARGO, ND | $12,000 | 2025 | RURAL LEADERSHIP NORTH DAKOTA REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ISSUES SEMINAR FOR CLASS X |
| ANIMAL AGRICULTURE ALLIANCE | ARLINGTON, VA | $12,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE AGGIES ONLINE (CAO) |
NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL
$500,0004-H POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EVENTS: GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DEI LEADERS
AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA
$272,5002024-26 AFA PROGRAM SUPPORT AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
$260,566AGRITECH: LEARNING MODULES FOR SOIL, SEED, AND PLANT HEALTH USING SENSORS, AI, AND DATA SCIENCE
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
$250,000NEXT CHAPTER AT NDSU
DISCOVERY EDUCATION
$250,000COOPERATIVE MINDS: CHS FOUNDATION + DISCOVERY EDUCATION
MARSHFIELD CLINIC INC
$200,000RURAL FIREFIGHTERS DELIVERING AGRICULTURE SAFETY AND HEALTH (RF-DASH) EXPANSION
PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION
$160,000PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE SAFETY DAY
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
$149,511AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO PREPARING TEACHERS TO DEVELOP A NEW GENERATION OF AGRICULTURAL LEADERS
AGRISAFE NETWORK INC
$135,000AG SAFETY TRAINING FOR TARGETED POPULATIONS
FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$133,000SPRAYER SIMULATOR AND SEED METER STAND
AGRISAFE NETWORK INC
$126,000TRAINING COMMUNITIES AND PROFESSIONALS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO FEED THE WORLD
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM
$110,0002025 NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM SUPPORT
MITCHELL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$100,0003D PRINTING
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$83,3332024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MANKATO FOUNDATION INCORPORATED
$75,000DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AG & FOOD LEADERS THROUGH HIGH-IMPACT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$65,000NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION CAMP
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$55,000NFU COOPERATIVE AND ONLINE EDUCATION
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$50,000DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS ANYWHERE: MEETING STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$40,000NFU GENERAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP
FARM RESCUE
$33,334GENERAL OPERATIONS DONATION
WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION INC
$30,000CAMP PROGRAM
ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATORS
$25,000AGCOOP CONNECT: FOSTERING INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP IN AG CO-OPS
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION CORPORATION
$25,000DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$23,1582024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$22,500MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP PROGRAMS
SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$22,500COMMUNITY OF COOPERATION
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FOUNDATION INC
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA BOARD OF REGENTS
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$22,0002024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$20,000NORTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION EPIC PROGRAM
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE
$18,000COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION
$17,000COMMODITY CHALLENGE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL & CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$16,540COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM
LANE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$15,000CHS FOUNDATION RURAL COMMUNITY GRANT
IOWA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
$12,000INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSION SPONSORSHIP
SOUTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
$12,000AG & RURAL LEADERSHIP 2023-2024
ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
$12,000ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP YEARLY FUNDING
FARM FOUNDATION
$12,000YOUNG FARMER/YOUNG AGRIFOOD LEADER NEXT GENERATION PROGRAM
AGRIINSTITUTE INC
$12,000INDIANA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
$12,000RURAL LEADERSHIP NORTH DAKOTA REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ISSUES SEMINAR FOR CLASS X
ANIMAL AGRICULTURE ALLIANCE
$12,000COLLEGE AGGIES ONLINE (CAO)
