The Cargill Foundation Opens in Atlanta and Wichita to Mark Its 75th Anniversary

Image: Cargill

Whilst the Foundation has allocated $14.5 million for the Twin Cities in its 2026 grant budget, it has set aside $1 million for each of two new cities to fund their first year’s work

The Cargill Foundation has announced that, in its 75th year, it is expanding its grant-making activities to Atlanta and Wichita. Since 1951, the Foundation has invested over $300 million in communities across the Twin Cities, which encompasses the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.

Three priority areas

By working alongside non-profit organisations that have been active in the Twin Cities for 75 years, the Foundation aims to prepare the next generation for success at school, in the workplace and in life. Its work is carried out across three key focus areas: childhood nutrition, STEM education, and university and career preparation. These same areas will also guide its activities in Atlanta and Wichita.

The Foundation’s grant-making capacity is underpinned by an endowment that enables the organisation to secure long-term funding. This structure facilitates the establishment of lasting relationships with civil society organisations, whilst also providing the flexibility to respond swiftly to communities in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Foundation’s 2026 grant budget includes $14.5 million for the Twin Cities. For the first year of grant-making in Atlanta and Wichita, $1 million has been allocated to each city. The Foundation has identified six non-profit organisations in each community to receive the initial grants. Advisory boards made up of employees will also help shape local giving priorities and partnerships.

The expansion in Wichita builds on Cargill’s 47-year presence in the city. The company employs more than 750 people here and has a long-standing history of local giving and volunteering. In Atlanta, where Cargill opened an office in June 2024 and continues to expand its presence, the Foundation’s expansion offers employees a new opportunity to strengthen their ties with local organisations and volunteer in the community.

Katie Clark Sieben, Executive Director of the Cargill Foundation and Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility at Cargill, said that the foundation’s 75-year history demonstrates that lasting change begins by listening to the community and investing in organisations equipped to respond to local needs. Sieben said, “As we expand our grant-making activities to Atlanta and Wichita, we are committed to building trust-based local partnerships and supporting young people and their families in the long term.”

Projects supported in the Twin Cities

Some of the initiatives supported by the foundation’s grants include:

Saint Paul Public Schools’ ‘Grow Our Own’ School Garden Programme: Reaches approximately 5,000 pupils annually across 42 schools.
MIGIZI Green Tech Institute: Provides young people with training and hands-on learning opportunities related to careers in green energy.
Achieve Twin Cities University and Career Centres: Provides personalised support to students at 26 state secondary schools with post-graduation planning.

In addition to programme grants, the Foundation supports projects and initiatives that strengthen the civil society and philanthropy sectors, as well as selected investment projects for certain civil society partners.

To celebrate the Foundation’s 75th anniversary and its expansion, Cargill employees in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Atlanta and Wichita are taking part in the ‘75 Days of Service’ initiative, which began in September. The initiative provides employees with a shared platform for volunteering to support local organisations.