The CHS Foundation, the major giving entity of CHS Inc., announced it has awarded $1.3 million in cooperative education grants to programs throughout the country that enhance the understanding of cooperative business through education, professional development and practical experience.

This year, funds are being distributed among 35 organizations, reaching more than 50 adult and rural youth education programs across the U.S. and Canada. Programs include support of cooperative education efforts for college education and leadership, research, creation of new cooperative education tools and youth education programs.

CHS Foundation awards education grants

“Cooperatives are an important part of agriculture,” said William Nelson, president of the CHS Foundation and vice president of CHS Stewardship. “For more than 20 years, CHS and the CHS Foundation have supported organizations that showcase the value of cooperatives to future generations.”

Notable projects include support of the North America Students of Cooperation, a student-led organization dedicated to continuing cooperative education through group equity cooperatives; the Toolbox for Education and Social Action to develop a series of finance education tools that help cooperatives develop financial literacy skills; and the Cooperative Foundation to develop and translate cooperative education materials for Spanish-speaking audiences. A full list of supported organizations is below.

In Minnesota, recipients are:
•Association of Cooperative Educators, Victoria
•Aynah, Minneapolis
•Cooperative Development Fund of CDS, St. Paul
•Cooperative Network, St. Paul
•Minnesota Cooperative Education Foundation, St. Paul
•Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation, St. Paul
•Ralph K. Morris Foundation, Minneapolis
•University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
•USA Cooperative Youth Council, Minneapolis