CPI, Cooperative Producers, Inc., is a grain and farm supply cooperative based in Hastings, NE. The business is run with strong cooperative principles. It believes it is in business to serve the ever changing needs of its owners through the purchasing of grain and the selling of inputs. CPI believes that its most important assets are its people, both employees and owners. 

CPI cares about its people and the communities in which it operates facilities and conducts business. With the start of a new year on January 1, 2010, CPI started its “Cares” Program. This program addresses three major areas: Contributions, Donations, and Scholarships for both Customers and Employees. This program will be administered in the Hastings office. Request forms will be available to fill out.

CONTRIBUTIONS:
Contributions will be made to organizations and programs that help with the betterment of the communities and its people. Per board policy, reasonable contributions will be made to charities and other non-profit organizations. Examples would be school fundraisers for such things as after prom program, local summer baseball programs, cancer walks, etc. It will be policy not to make contributions to individuals. Contributions will also involve supporting local youth organizations such as purchasing 4-H livestock at county fairs.

DONATIONS:
Donations will be made to improve facilities and equipment in communities. Donations would involve the expenditure for some physical asset. Examples would be equipment for local fire departments or first responders, playground equipment at local park, equipment for a community center, etc.

If matching funds are available by CPI distributors or Regional Cooperatives, CPI will assist in making these funds available as contributions or donations.

Customers: Scholarship applicants need to be the dependent of a CPI patron. This program will be for high school seniors or students that are in the first or second year of post secondary education. CPI will offer a minimum of two-$1,000 scholarships per year. All scholarship applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee. The scholarship committee may do face to face interviews with the final applicants before making their recommendations on the scholarship winners. If matching scholarship funds are available such as with regionals, CPI will make these available. CPI will promote and make aware to the membership other scholarship opportunities, such as the Nebraska Coop Council scholarships.

Employees: Scholarship applicants need to be the dependent of a CPI full time employee.   This program will be for high school seniors or students that are in the first or second year of post secondary education. CPI will offer a minimum of $2,000 in scholarships per year. This can be a combination of 2-$1,000, 4-$500, etc.

All scholarship applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee. The scholarship committee will make the final recommendations on the scholarship recipients.   CPI will promote and make aware to the employees other scholarship opportunities.  The annual maximum for the scholarship program will be $5,000.