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.
$4.3M
$65.7M
$7.6M
$4.9M
Most grants fall between $6K and $22K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$22K
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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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Chs Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Funding is directed to eligible universities and colleges, including partner institutions supporting agricultural education and curriculum. General CHS funding guidelines apply.
Deadline: January 1 to February 28 annually.
Who can apply: Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) or related charity. CHS supports national- and state-level requests within its main CHS trade area. It does not support individuals, sports teams, medical or disease-related causes, religious groups, political campaigns or lobbying, dairy industry-related requests, or a cooperative’s own private, corporate, or related foundation.
Deadline: Applications accepted year-round.
Who can apply: Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) or related charity. Requests should support agricultural or cooperative industry priorities within the main CHS trade area. General CHS exclusions apply, including individuals, sports teams, medical or disease-related causes, religious groups, political campaigns or lobbying, dairy-related requests, and cooperative-affiliated private foundations.
Deadline: Applications accepted 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: Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) or related charity. CHS does not support the excluded categories listed in the stewardship guidelines.
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 501(c)(3) or related charity. Local-level projects are accepted through this program. General CHS funding exclusions apply, including individuals, sports teams, medical or disease-related causes, religious groups, political campaigns or lobbying, dairy-related requests, and cooperative-affiliated private foundations.
Deadline: Applications accepted year-round.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL FFA FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $1,430,000 | 2026 | NATIONAL FFA PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000,000 | 2026 | HUNGER RELIEF |
| DISCOVERY EDUCATION INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $275,000 | 2026 | COOPERATIVE MINDS: CHS FOUNDATION + DISCOVERY EDUCATION |
| AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA | LIBERTY, MO | $272,500 | 2026 | 2024-26 AFA PROGRAM SUPPORT AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FOUNDATION INC | MOSCOW, ID | $262,136 | 2026 | UNEARTHING POTENTIAL: CULTIVATING TOMORROWS AGRICULTURAL SOIL SCIENTISTS |
| LAKE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | WATERTOWN, SD | $229,361 | 2026 | LATC COMMODITY RISK MANAGEMENT LAB |
| PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $160,000 | 2026 | PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE SAFETY DAY |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $154,307 | 2026 | CULTIVATE ACCESS |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC | COVINGTON, LA | $150,000 | 2026 | BUILDING CAPACITY FOR A HEALTHIER AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE |
| NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM | CABOT, AR | $105,000 | 2026 | 2026 NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM SUPPORT |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $97,369 | 2026 | GROW SCHOLARS - GROWTH THROUGH RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND WORK |
| MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $89,679 | 2026 | AG EDUCATION EXPANSION: AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $83,333 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| LAKE REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF DEVILS LAKE | DEVILS LAKE, ND | $75,000 | 2026 | LRSC AG +2 |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $65,000 | 2026 | GROWING THE FUTURE NURTURING DIGITAL AGRICULTURE STUDENTS |
| NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $55,000 | 2026 | NFU COOPERATIVE AND ONLINE EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF BASSETT INC | COOPERSTOWN, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | NATIONAL ROPS REBATE PROGRAM |
| NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, NE | $45,231 | 2026 | AGRICULTURAL EXCELLENCE IN REMOTE INSPECTION AND SPRAYING (AERIS) |
| NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2026 | NFU GENERAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $33,685 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION | RIVER FALLS, WI | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | AMES, IA | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BROOKINGS, SD | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | STILLWATER, OK | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO FOUNDATION INC | MOSCOW, ID | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION INC | CHIPPEWA FLS, WI | $32,000 | 2026 | NOURISHING IN NATURE: 2025 WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION CAMP |
| BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $32,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | HURON, SD | $25,000 | 2026 | EMPOWERING COOPERATIVES |
| COOPERATIVE EDUCATION CORPORATION | GREAT FALLS, MT | $25,000 | 2026 | DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS |
| FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP PROGRAMS |
| ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATOR | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $22,500 | 2026 | AGCOOP VIRTUAL ACCELERATOR |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $22,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| WEST TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CANYON, TX | $22,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| IND SCHOOL DISTRICT 261 | ASHBY, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | CHS FOUNDATION TEACHER GRANT |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE | DENVER, CO | $19,767 | 2026 | COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE | WASHINGTON, DC | $18,000 | 2026 | COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET |
| AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE | WASHINGTON, DC | $18,000 | 2026 | COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $17,000 | 2026 | COMMODITY CHALLENGE |
| MADISON CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS | MADISON, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | CHS FOUNDATION TEACHER GRANT |
| NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, NE | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | APPLETON, WI | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| REDLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | EL RENO, OK | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MOSES LAKE, WA | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| LAKE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | WATERTOWN, SD | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| LAKE REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF DEVILS LAKE | DEVILS LAKE, ND | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
| RIDGEWATER COLLEGE FOUNDATION | WILLMAR, MN | $14,000 | 2026 | 2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM |
DISCOVERY EDUCATION INC
$275,000COOPERATIVE MINDS: CHS FOUNDATION + DISCOVERY EDUCATION
AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA
$272,5002024-26 AFA PROGRAM SUPPORT AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
UNEARTHING POTENTIAL: CULTIVATING TOMORROWS AGRICULTURAL SOIL SCIENTISTS
LATC COMMODITY RISK MANAGEMENT LAB
AGRISAFE NETWORK INC
$150,000BUILDING CAPACITY FOR A HEALTHIER AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM
$105,0002026 NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM SUPPORT
GROW SCHOLARS - GROWTH THROUGH RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AND WORK
AG EDUCATION EXPANSION: AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATE
LAKE REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF DEVILS LAKE
$75,000LRSC AG +2
GROWING THE FUTURE NURTURING DIGITAL AGRICULTURE STUDENTS
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$55,000NFU COOPERATIVE AND ONLINE EDUCATION
AGRICULTURAL EXCELLENCE IN REMOTE INSPECTION AND SPRAYING (AERIS)
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$40,000NFU GENERAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP
2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
NOURISHING IN NATURE: 2025 WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION CAMP
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
$32,0002025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION
$25,000EMPOWERING COOPERATIVES
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION CORPORATION
$25,000DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS
MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP PROGRAMS
ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATOR
$22,500AGCOOP VIRTUAL ACCELERATOR
IND SCHOOL DISTRICT 261
$20,000CHS FOUNDATION TEACHER GRANT
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
$19,767COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP YOUTH PROGRAM
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE
$18,000COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE
$18,000COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET
MADISON CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
$15,000CHS FOUNDATION TEACHER GRANT
2025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
REDLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$14,0002025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$14,0002025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
LAKE REGION COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF DEVILS LAKE
$14,0002025/26 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM
