CHS Foundation
Accepts applications
CHS Foundation is a private foundation in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.3 million in 92 grants; the typical grant was $14,000 and the largest $1.4 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.3 million
- Number of grants92
- Typical grant$14,000
- Largest grant$1.4 million
- Assets$65.7 million
- New grantees34%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.3 million the year before.
34% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $8.2 million | 87 | $50.2 million |
| 2024 | $3.3 million | 106 | $58.4 million |
| 2025 | $4.3 million | 92 | $65.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | CHS Foundation 5500 Cenex Drive, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (651) 355-6000 |
| What to submit | Applicants may submit a request online. Written requests are accepted, but not encouraged. |
| Deadlines | If applicable, submission deadlines are disclosed in the application |
| Restrictions | Chs foundation supports education and leadership programs that invest in the future of agriculture, cooperative business and rural america. Each application is reviewed individually. The majority of funding and focus is placed on scholarships and grants. All grant awards are on a year-round cycle, with the following exceptions. The chs foundation cooperative education grants program, which is a competitive grants program that focused on investing in programs that develop and enhance the understanding of cooperative business through education, professional development and practical experience. Applications for that program are accepted, annually, from january to late february, with announcements in april. The chs university partner competitive grant program, which supports agriculture-focused projects at colleges and universities, accepts applications annually from april to june, with announcements in the fall. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What CHS Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 26 states, the most to Indiana.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 3 | $1.5 million |
| Illinois | 7 | $1.1 million |
| Missouri | 3 | $364,179 |
| South Dakota | 6 | $326,361 |
| Idaho | 2 | $294,136 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $275,000 |
| Nebraska | 5 | $257,538 |
| North Dakota | 6 | $227,333 |
| Montana | 8 | $196,869 |
| Alabama | 1 | $160,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National FFA Foundation | National ffa partnership for the future | $1.4 million |
| Feeding America | Hunger relief | $1.0 million |
| Discovery Education Inc | Cooperative minds: chs foundation + discovery education | $275,000 |
| Agriculture Future of America | 2024-26 afa program support and growth partnership | $272,500 |
| University of Idaho Foundation Inc | Unearthing potential: cultivating tomorrows agricultural soil scientists | $262,136 |
| Lake Area Technical College Foundation | Latc commodity risk management lab | $229,361 |
| Progressive Agriculture Foundation | Progressive agriculture safety day | $160,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation | Cultivate access | $154,307 |
| Agrisafe Network Inc | Building capacity for a healthier agricultural workforce | $150,000 |
| National Agriculture in the Classroom | 2026 national agriculture in the classroom support | $105,000 |
| Montana State University Foundation | Grow scholars - growth through research opportunities and work | $97,369 |
| Missouri State University Foundation | Ag education expansion: agriculture technology certificate | $89,679 |
| North Dakota State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $83,333 |
| Lake Region Community College Foundation of Devils Lake | Lrsc ag +2 | $75,000 |
| Iowa State University Foundation | Growing the future nurturing digital agriculture students | $65,000 |
| National Farmers Union Foundation | Nfu cooperative and online education | $55,000 |
| Friends of Bassett Inc | National rops rebate program | $50,000 |
| Northeast Community College Foundation | Agricultural excellence in remote inspection and spraying (aeris) | $45,231 |
| National Farmers Union Foundation | Nfu general education and leadership | $40,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $33,685 |
| Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| Iowa State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| Kansas State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| Montana State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| North Dakota State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| Oklahoma State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| South Dakota State University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| University of Idaho Foundation Inc | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| University of Minnesota Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| University of Wisconsin River Falls Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $32,000 |
| Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation Inc | Nourishing in nature: 2025 wisconsin farmers union camp | $32,000 |
| Cooperative Education Corporation | Developing future leaders | $25,000 |
| Farmers Union Foundation | Minnesota farmers union summer leadership camp programs | $25,000 |
| South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation | Empowering cooperatives | $25,000 |
| Association of Cooperative Educator | Agcoop virtual accelerator | $22,500 |
| University of Illinois Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $22,000 |
| West Texas A & M University Foundation | 2025/26 university partner program | $22,000 |
| Ind School District 261 | Chs foundation teacher grant | $20,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Educational and Charitable | Cooperative leadership youth program | $19,767 |
| American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture | Collegiate farm bureau discussion meet | $18,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Kevin Throener
- Mark Farrell
- Trent Sherven
- Tony Rossman
- Megan Wolle
Questions people ask
Does CHS Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: If applicable, submission deadlines are disclosed in the application.
How much does CHS Foundation give?
$4.3 million in tax year 2025, across 92 grants, with a typical grant of $14,000.
Who runs CHS Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Kevin Throener (Chair), Mark Farrell (Vice Chair/Secretary), Trent Sherven (Board Trustee) and Tony Rossman (Board Trustee) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does CHS Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, food and hunger and science and research.