At Innovative Ag Services, our commitment to community goes far beyond business—we believe in planting the seeds of hope, growth, and opportunity across the towns and rural areas we serve. That’s why we created the Seeding Hope & Innovation Initiative, a structured giving program dedicated to strengthening local communities through strategic financial support. Rooted in our cooperative’s core values—customer service, employee excellence, continuous improvement, stewardship, and partnership—this initiative supports projects that make a real difference in the lives of our members, employees, and neighbors.

But our commitment doesn’t stop there. Through a wide range of giving efforts—including scholarships, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and paid volunteer hours for every employee—IAS continues to invest in the people and places that shape our region. From local food drives to youth ag education, we’re proud to cultivate a culture of service and community across every acre we serve. 

IAS Who We Support-Jones County Fair Bacon Buddies

Explore our Seeding Hope & Innovation Initiative

Who We Support

We financial contributions to:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

  • Educational institutions

  • City and county government entities

Eligible applicants must be located within a 60-mile radius of any IAS location.

Our Giving Focuses on Three Key Areas:

Agricultural Education 

Support for 4-H, FFA, school ag programs, and ag safety initiatives

Community Vitality

Projects and programs that address the unique needs of local communities

Food Security

Food banks, pantries, and community meals that help feed our neighbors

Levels of Giving

To serve a wide range of community efforts, we offer three tiers of financial contributions:

Seed Donations
(Under $1,000)

Local contributions that support youth ag programs, county fairs, and grassroots events.

  • Available to IAS employees and members

  • Requests go through an IAS Location

  • Example: Local FFA banquet, 4-H club donation, County Pork Producers event

Harvest Donations
($1,000 and Up)

Larger-scale contributions for programs with measurable community impact.

  • Open to all eligible organizations

  • Focus areas include ag education, rural development, and food security

  • Example: Emergency equipment, food pantry infrastructure, grain safety programming

Matched Harvest
Donations

Multiply your impact through matching programs from our cooperative partners—Land O’Lakes, CHS, and CoBank.

  • Must meet eligibility criteria of both IAS and the matching fund organization

  • First-come, first-served basis; matching funds are limited

  • Example: Grain bin rescue equipment, STEM ag programs, rural fire department support

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online.
Download complete program details.

Seed Donation Requests

  • Available through employees and members
  • Must be approved and submitted by Location Manager or Regional Manager
  • Please allow 30 days for a response


Harvest & Matched Harvest Requests

  • Open to eligible organizations
  • Reviewed quarterly by the IAS Giving Committee
  • Application deadlines:
    • February 15 → Reviewed in March
    • May 15 → Reviewed in June
    • August 15 → Reviewed in September
    • November 15 → Reviewed in December (for funding the following year)
  • Allow 4–6 weeks for review and notification

Be sure to include all required information, including your project impact statement, budget, IRS documentation, and any opportunities for IAS engagement or recognition.

Questions? Contact us.


What We Look For

Our IAS Giving Committee uses a formal evaluation rubric to ensure fair, transparent decision-making. We prioritize projects that:

  • Strongly align with IAS values

  • Serve farmers and rural communities

  • Offer measurable impact and realistic goals

  • Engage our employees or members

  • Are eligible for matching funds

A Community-Driven Process

Our giving program is overseen by a diverse IAS Giving Committee, made up of employees from across our locations. Together, we:

  • Review applications

  • Allocate funding

  • Champion community causes

  • Ensure that our giving reflects the spirit and purpose of our cooperative

Every dollar we give represents a shared investment in the future of the communities where are members and staff live, work and play.

Together, We Grow Stronger

At IAS, we don’t just serve communities—we’re part of them. Through the Seeding Hope & Innovation Initiative, we’re proud to support the people, projects, and programs that are growing a brighter future across our region.

Let’s plant seeds of hope together.