CHS Foundation Cooperative Education Grants (2027)

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Grants Supporting Innovative Agricultural Cooperative Education

The CHS Foundation Cooperative Education Grant Program supports organizations educating the next generation about the agricultural cooperative business model. Priority is given to innovative programs that help young people understand cooperatives, agriculture, and the opportunities available within the cooperative system.

Projects should serve participants ranging from middle school students through young producers and demonstrate a history of success or program growth.

Applications for the 2027 cycle will be accepted from January 1 through February 15, 2027.

Organization: CHS Foundation
Support Type: Cooperative education grants
Geographic Focus: National and regional programs; eligible state-level programs in key CHS trade states
Deadline: February 15, 2027

About the Funder

The CHS Foundation is funded by charitable contributions from CHS Inc., a farmer-owned cooperative and global agribusiness.

The Foundation invests in programs that build agricultural career pathways, educate rural youth, strengthen agricultural leadership, and help young people understand the value of the cooperative business model.

Through its cooperative education investments, the Foundation has partnered with dozens of organizations to educate students about cooperatives and the opportunities available within agriculture.

What This Program Supports

The Cooperative Education Grant Program prioritizes programs that teach the next generation about the agricultural cooperative business model using new and innovative approaches.

Competitive programs may include:

Cooperative Business Education

Programs helping young people understand how agricultural cooperatives operate, including cooperative ownership, governance, economics, and member participation.

Youth Cooperative Education

Educational programs introducing middle and high school students to the cooperative model and its role in agriculture and rural communities.

Young Producer Education

Programs helping emerging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals understand cooperative ownership and participation.

Innovative Learning Experiences

Creative educational approaches that engage participants in learning about cooperatives, agricultural careers, and the broader cooperative system.

Cooperative Education Camps

Educational camps focused on cooperatives may be considered, subject to additional funding limitations.

Eligible Support Types

Projects should:

Educate the next generation about the agricultural cooperative business model
Target participants ranging from middle school students through young producers
Use innovative approaches to cooperative education
Demonstrate a history of success and/or program growth

Priority is given to national or regional programming that impacts multiple states.

Eligibility & Preferences

Organizations must generally be a 501(c)(3) or related charitable organization to receive CHS funding.

Priority is given to national and regional cooperative education programs serving multiple states.

For state-level requests, the CHS Foundation will consider applications from key states within the CHS trade territory:

Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Local projects are generally directed to the separate CHS Seeds for Stewardship cooperative matching grant program.

Cooperative Education Camp Requirements

CHS Foundation places additional restrictions on cooperative education camps.

Only two cooperative education camps per state will be considered.

For eligible camps, CHS Foundation funding may cover no more than 20% of the program’s overall budget.

Organizations operating cooperative education camps should clearly demonstrate the program’s educational impact and connection to the agricultural cooperative business model.

Ineligible Requests

CHS Foundation Cooperative Education funding will not support:

Multi-year funding requests
Legislative activities
State-level projects outside the eligible CHS trade territory
Indirect costs
Individuals or individual fundraisers
Sports teams or athletic requests
Medical or disease-related causes
Religious organizations
Political campaigns, fundraisers, or lobbying efforts
Dairy industry-related requests
A cooperative’s own private, corporate, or related foundation

Local school and academic requests are generally handled through the separate CHS Seeds for Stewardship program rather than this grant opportunity.

Funding Amounts

CHS Foundation does not publish a standard minimum or maximum grant amount for Cooperative Education Grants.

Funding levels may vary based on the scope, reach, and impact of the proposed program.

For cooperative education camps, grant funding is limited to a maximum of 20% of the program’s total budget.

Timeline & Review

📅 Applications Open: January 1, 2027
📅 Application Deadline: February 15, 2027
📅 Application Frequency: Annual
💰 Funding Amount: Varies

Organizations considering an application may contact CHS Foundation before applying to discuss whether their program is a good fit.

Application / Request Process

Applications are accepted online during the annual January 1–February 15 application window.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:

How the program teaches participants about the agricultural cooperative business model
The age group or audience served
The program’s history of success
Evidence of growth or demonstrated impact
The innovative approach used to deliver cooperative education
The geographic reach of the program
How grant funds will be used

Organizations with questions about whether a proposed program fits CHS Foundation priorities may contact the CHS stewardship team before applying.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/agricultural-and-cooperative-education/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

Teach youth or young producers about agricultural cooperatives
Develop innovative cooperative education programs
Serve middle school, high school, college-age, or young producer audiences
Operate successful programs with demonstrated growth
Deliver regional or national programming across multiple states
Help develop the next generation of cooperative members and agricultural leaders

The program is particularly well suited to established organizations that can demonstrate both a track record of successful cooperative education and the potential to reach a significant number of young people.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Application Period: January 1–February 15, 2027
Deadline: February 15, 2027
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Primary Audience: Middle school students through young producers
Priority: Innovative education about the agricultural cooperative business model
Geographic Preference: National and multi-state regional programs; state-level applications accepted only from eligible CHS trade states
Best Suited For: Established nonprofit organizations providing agricultural cooperative education
Special Rule for Camps: Maximum award of 20% of overall program budget; only two cooperative education camps per state will be considered

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