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Rural community grants

Celebrating the organizations that keep rural America thriving

The CHS Foundation will award up to $35,000 in rural community grants to help keep people safe and provide basic needs services. Apply Aug. 1 to Sept. 1 by telling us about your important, inspiring projects in a short written and video application.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Program is open to safety and basic needs organizations in the CHS trade territory (Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming).

Examples of projects that will be considered: purchasing grain bin safety equipment for a local fire department, hosting a safety day in your community, funding a local foodbank, school backpack programs, access to local healthcare resources, etc.

How do I apply?
Applications are accepted online from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. Please submit the online application, along with a video submission. Videos should be less than two minutes long and uploaded to YouTube. Click here for a link to a tutorial. These videos do not need to be professional quality, a cell phone quality video is perfectly fine. Be creative and use your video to tell us about your project and how it will help your community! We want to get to know you, the project and your passion for the community.
How many grants will be awarded?

Up to $35,000 awarded:

  • $15,000 first prize
  • $10,000 second prize
  • $5,000 third prize
  • Two, $2,500 honorable mentions
How are applications evaluated?
Priority will be given to projects that impact communities where CHS or our member cooperatives are located. A review committee will select the top five submissions. The top three finalists will travel all expenses paid to the CHS Annual Meeting Dec. 5-6, 2024, where CHS annual meeting attendees will award first, second, and third place winners through live voting.
What is not supported?
  • Leadership development programs or ag youth organizations (FFA, 4-H)
  • Youth sports and athletic requests
  • Event sponsorships (I.e. community days, golf tournaments, etc.)
  • General operating support; funds must be directed to a specific project
  • Scholarship programs
  • Multi-year funding
  • Individuals or individual needs or fundraisers
  • Organizations outside the CHS trade territory
Have questions about the programs we support or how to apply for funding?
Email us