Chs Foundation
CHS Foundation is a private corporate foundation established in 1996 and based in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of CHS Inc. and operates with a mission to invest in the future of rural communities through strategic grantmaking and stewardship initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$4.0M
-14.9% YoY
Grant Count
106
+21.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
-30.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations involved with:
- Education
- Agriculture
- Safety
- Youth development
- Rural development
- Leadership development
Special emphasis is directed toward programs that invest in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business development. The foundation focuses on building agricultural career pathways, educating rural youth, supporting agricultural safety, and developing future agricultural leaders.
Grantmaking
The foundation administers multiple grant programs:
Grant Range
was $37,000. Notable 2024 grants include:
Average Grant
was $37,000. Notable 2024 grants include:
How to Apply
Application timelines vary by program, with some programs operating on rolling bases and others having specific application windows. The foundation supports curriculum development initiatives and maintains partnerships with 25 colleges and universities.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has geographic focus across 18 states, including Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and others, with particular emphasis on rural America.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $58,372,751
- Total Revenues: $11,883,976
- Total Expenses: $3,947,268
- Annual Giving: $4.3 million
- Number of Employees: 2
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $50.2 million
- Total Revenues: $10.1 million
- Total Expenses: $8.84 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.94 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Chs Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Agriculture Future of America ($272,500), Colorado State University ($260,566), Marshfield Clinic Inc ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY EDUCATION FOUNDATION SPOKANE, WA | AGFORESTRY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AMERICA LIBERTY, MO | 2024-26 AFA PROGRAM SUPPORT AND GROWTH PARTNERSHIP | $272,500 |
| AGRIINSTITUTE INC DANVILLE, IN | INDIANA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | $12,000 |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC PEOSTA, IA | TRAINING COMMUNITIES AND PROFESSIONALS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO FEED THE WORLD | $126,000 |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC PEOSTA, IA | NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK 2024 | $2,200 |
| AGRISAFE NETWORK INC PEOSTA, IA | AG SAFETY TRAINING FOR TARGETED POPULATIONS | $135,000 |
| AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FOR AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON, DC | COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU DISCUSSION MEET | $18,000 |
| ANIMAL AGRICULTURE ALLIANCE ARLINGTON, VA | COLLEGE AGGIES ONLINE (CAO) | $12,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATORS MINNEAPOLIS, MN | AGCOOP CONNECT: FOSTERING INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP IN AG CO-OPS | $25,000 |
| BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION MOSES LAKE, WA | 2024/25 UNIVERSITY PARTNER PROGRAM | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN THROENER | CHAIR | 0.4 | — |
| MARK FARRELL | VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY | 0.4 | — |
| JERRAD STROH | BOARD TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| TONY ROSSMAN | BOARD TRUSTEE | 0.4 | — |
| MEGAN WOLLE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $153,506 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, CHS Inc. and the foundation together invested $8.2 million in stewardship initiatives. The foundation continues to support rural community projects and agricultural education through its various grant programs, with recent awards supporting youth development, agricultural safety initiatives, and rural community needs.
CHS Foundation grants support rural needsContact Information
Address: 5500 Cenex Drive, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Phone: 651-355-6000
Website: www.chsfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chs Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations involved with: • Education • Agriculture • Safety • Youth development • Rural development • Leadership development Special emphasis is directed toward programs that invest in the future of rural America, agriculture, and cooperative business development. The foundation focuses on building agricultural career pathways, educating rural youth, supporting agricultural safety, and developing future agricultural leaders.
How do I apply for a grant from Chs Foundation?
The foundation administers multiple grant programs: • **CHS Scholars Program**: 200 annual college scholarships ($1,000–$2,000) for students enrolled in agricultural-related programs at partnering two and four-year colleges and universities • **CHS High School Scholarship Program**: 100 annual scholarships of $1,000 for graduating high school students entering agricultural fields of study • **Mini-Grants**: Up to $1,000 • **Cooperative Education Grants**: Application period January 1 – February…
Where does Chs Foundation make grants?
The foundation has geographic focus across 18 states, including Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and others, with particular emphasis on rural America.
What size grants does Chs Foundation award?
In 2024, Chs Foundation awarded 106 grants totaling $4.0M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Chs Foundation's EIN?
Chs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6025858. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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