CHS Seeds for Stewardship Grant Program

The CHS Seeds for Stewardship program is a private corporate giving initiative administered by CHS, a large agricultural cooperative that supports rural communities and agricultural stakeholders across the United States. The program is designed as a cooperative matching grant model, meaning that CHS matches contributions made by its member cooperatives and CHS ag retail locations to support local community projects. In recent years, the program has demonstrated significant reach, awarding nearly $500,000 in grants to more than 200 communities in a single year, highlighting its role as a consistent funding source for grassroots rural development and safety initiatives. The primary purpose of the program is to strengthen and uplift rural communities through targeted investments in projects that align with CHS priorities. These priorities include agricultural safety and farmer well-being, agriculture education, and overall rural community vitality. Funded projects often include tangible safety improvements such as grain bin rescue equipment and training, educational programming through organizations like FFA and 4-H, and support for food security initiatives such as food shelves. The program emphasizes practical, community-centered outcomes that directly benefit local populations. Funding is structured as a matching grant, requiring a minimum contribution of $1,000 from the applying cooperative, with CHS matching up to a maximum of $10,000 per member cooperative annually. CHS ag retail business units are eligible for up to $7,500 per year. Each member cooperative may receive up to two grants per program year, which runs from September 1 through August 31. This structure allows organizations to distribute funding across multiple local projects while maintaining a cap on total annual support. Funds must be directed to eligible nonprofit entities, typically 501(c)(3) organizations, though exceptions are allowed for public schools and certain safety-related public entities such as local governments. Eligibility for application is restricted to CHS member cooperatives and CHS ag retail locations, which must submit grant requests on behalf of local organizations. Direct applications from community organizations are not accepted, reinforcing the cooperative-driven nature of the program. Additionally, funds cannot be awarded directly to the applying cooperative itself or to its affiliated corporate or private foundations, regardless of their nonprofit status. Certain types of requests are explicitly excluded, including those for individuals, sports teams, political activities, religious programming, medical causes, or internal cooperative expenses. The application process is designed to be flexible and accessible, with submissions accepted online on a rolling, year-round basis. Applicants may apply at any time that is convenient for them, and there are no fixed deadlines. Once submitted, applications undergo a competitive review process that typically takes eight to ten weeks. During this period, CHS evaluates proposals based on alignment with program priorities and overall community impact. Funding is not guaranteed, and applications are assessed relative to other submissions. Applicants are not required to complete pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers. Instead, the process focuses on a single online submission. While specific application questions are not detailed in the source material, applicants should be prepared to describe the project, its community impact, and how it aligns with CHS focus areas. Contact support is available via email at stewardship@chsinc.com and by phone at 1-800-814-0506, providing applicants with access to guidance throughout the process. The program operates continuously with no defined cycle closure, making it a recurring opportunity for eligible cooperatives to support their communities.

Focus on projects aligned with agricultural safety, education, and rural community impact; ensure funds go to eligible nonprofit entities; demonstrate clear local benefit