Backyard Giving Grants

The Backyard Giving Grants program is offered by CHS, a large agricultural cooperative with headquarters in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. CHS maintains a strong local presence with more than 1,000 employees in the area who actively engage in volunteerism and charitable giving. Through this program, CHS aims to reinvest in the communities surrounding its headquarters by supporting nonprofit organizations that address critical local needs while fostering community connection and engagement. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening the social and economic fabric of the Twin Cities through targeted philanthropic support. The primary purpose of the Backyard Giving Grants program is to fund community-based events and initiatives that bring people together, promote agricultural education, and improve access to essential resources such as healthy food and stable housing. The program prioritizes projects that create tangible local impact, particularly those that serve vulnerable populations or enhance community cohesion. Supported activities include local food distribution efforts, housing assistance programs, community fundraising events, and educational initiatives focused on agriculture, especially for youth in urban environments. Funding through this program is available in amounts up to 5,000 dollars per organization. While specific allowable expense categories are not explicitly detailed, the examples provided indicate that funds may be used for event hosting, educational programming, and direct service delivery related to food security and housing stability. The program explicitly excludes certain types of projects, including sports teams or athletic-related requests, organizations with religious affiliations, and initiatives focused on individual medical or disease-related needs. These restrictions ensure that funding is directed toward broadly accessible community benefit activities aligned with CHS priorities. Eligibility for the Backyard Giving Grants program is limited to nonprofit organizations that qualify as 501(c)(3) entities or similar charitable organizations. Additionally, applicants must serve one or more of the following counties in Minnesota: Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, or Washington. This geographic limitation ensures that funding remains concentrated within the immediate service area surrounding CHS headquarters. Organizations located outside these counties are not eligible for consideration, regardless of project type or mission alignment. The application process is structured around two annual submission windows. Applications are accepted from March 1 through April 30 for the spring cycle, and from October 1 through November 30 for the fall cycle. Applicants are expected to submit their proposals during these defined periods, though specific submission platforms or required documentation components are not detailed in the available information. There is no mention of pre-application requirements such as letters of intent, suggesting a single-step application process. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program priorities, including the ability to bring communities together, educate youth about agriculture, and improve access to food and housing resources. Preference is given to projects that demonstrate clear community impact and inclusivity. To promote equitable distribution of funds, organizations that receive a grant are not eligible to apply again for a period of two years. For example, an organization funded in the spring cycle of one year must wait until the spring cycle two years later to reapply. For additional information or application support, applicants may contact CHS directly via email at stewardship@chsinc.com or by phone at 651-355-6000. The organization’s headquarters is located at 5500 Cenex Drive, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. While specific award notification timelines and project performance periods are not provided, the recurring nature of the program and its structured application windows indicate an ongoing commitment to supporting community-based initiatives in the Twin Cities region.

Focus on projects that bring communities together, demonstrate clear local impact, and align with priorities such as agricultural education, food access, and housing stability.