In the spirit of changing the world for the better, the POET Community Impact Grant Program works to cultivate widespread impact by starting at home.
Being a good neighbor is a part of POET’s DNA, according to Alyssa Broin Christensen, POET Vice President of Team and Community Impact.
“It’s a core value that drives us to support and uplift the places where we live and work,” she said. “We believe in creating positive change, not only through our sustainable bioproducts but also through our active engagement and contributions to the communities we are proud to call home.”
The program was established by POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin so that individuals and organizations operating in POET’s home communities can apply for funding to support projects that aim to create a positive impact.
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The 2024 Community Impact Grant Program — which was facilitated by POET’s Sioux Falls headquarters, all 34
bioprocessing facilities, and POET Terminal – Savannah, Ga. — received nearly 1,400 applications. POET ultimately awarded nearly 150 grants, totaling $629,000, across its footprint.
The next cycle of POET’s annual Community Impact Grant Program will begin in the spring of 2025. Individuals, nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, emergency responders, and other groups who are ready to lead projects to improve their communities are invited to apply for one-time grants of up to $4,000 each.
The grant application is open online during the month of April. POET team members at each respective location review the applications and select grant recipients in their communities.
“Making a positive impact in our communities is at the core of what we do at POET,” said Adam Homan, General Manager of POET Bioprocessing – Portland, Ind. “We’re proud to partner with other local organizations that share our vision of creating a better, brighter future for everyone.”
POET team members review each grant request through the lens of POET’s three Pillars of Giving:
The Earth: Partnering with organizations that share POET’s mission to preserve a clean, healthy environment.
The Community: Supporting individuals and organizations committed to lifting up their communities by serving those who need it most.
The Next Generation: Cultivating creativity, confidence, and compassion in the next generation by providing support for disadvantaged youth in POET communities.
Studies have shown that small grants are impactful, making support more accessible to grassroots organizations and individuals who are closest to their communities and best understand local needs.
“The impact we’re able to have on our local communities through this program is huge,” said Shelby Christopherson, POET Communications Manager. “Every year, we watch the number of applications grow, and we’ve been fortunate enough to grow in giving money back to those communities. We look forward to giving dollars to unique projects to address their unique needs.”
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A solid foundation of giving back
The Community Impact Grant Program complements other components of POET’s philanthropic work, particularly its Never Satisfied Scholarships to support students as well as the company’s Volunteer Time Off initiative, launched in the spring of 2023. This initiative offers team members 16 hours of paid time to volunteer in the communities where they live and work.
Christensen said POET takes a “holistic approach to giving,” uniting POET’s charitable contributions with the hands and feet of its team members.
For many years, POET has partnered with and supported many causes in Sioux Falls and beyond, including Children’s Home Society, Make-A-Wish, United Way, Lifescape, Veterans Community Project, Volunteers of America Dakotas, and Junior Achievement. POET works with these organizations to facilitate the Community Impact Grant Program and connect with eligible groups and community leaders, building on its existing, deep partnerships. Additionally, POET team members often volunteer with these organizations.
Volunteers of America Dakotas (VOA) works to uplift America’s most vulnerable citizens in body and soul, with food, shelter, worship, and
other services.
“By collaborating with a committed community partner like POET, VOA can provide programs that serve those in need,” said Dennis Hoffman, CEO of Volunteers of America – Dakotas. “POET’s financial support and volunteer efforts help fuel essential programs that directly contribute to the goal of transforming lives. Together, they create opportunities for individuals
and families to thrive, reinforcing the shared goal of building a stronger, healthier community.”
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Junior Achievement helps young people realize their full potential by empowering them with career inspiration, financial knowledge, and other life skills.
“Providing interactive experiences for students in JA’s pillar areas of financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship sets them up for their most successful futures,” said Kayla Eitreim, President and CEO for Junior Achievement of South Dakota (JA). “When businesses and organizations like POET support JA, they’re helping these students understand the possibilities available to them.”
POET is also a title sponsor of JA Inspire, and POET team members join JA for the full day, interacting with area eight-grade students to educate them on the variety of careers available to them at POET and responding to questions about the necessary training and education for these roles. POET also sponsors and supports JA Finance Park, a virtual simulation that helps students learn about budgeting and personal finance.
“Both organizations have been great partners for POET,” said Christensen. “VOA has been a longstanding POET partner, and we’ve had team members participate in JA from a volunteer and mentorship aspect for many years.”
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Giving humbly
Christensen said POET has always had a mission to give back, with the idea that “you give, and you give humbly.”
The company’s success — growing from one start-up facility in 1987 into the global leader in the production of biofuels and sustainable bioproducts — drives POET’s active engagement and contributions to the many communities it calls home.
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“Our mission at POET is not just to lead in sustainable global solutions but to lead with servants’ hearts to empower our team members and our communities,” said Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO. “The choices we make today will create ripple effects tomorrow. By investing in causes that are working to change the world, we aim to help build a foundation for a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.”
Starting in April, qualified individuals and organizations operating in POET-occupied communities are invited to apply for the 2025 POET Community Impact Grant Program. For more information, visit poet.com/grants.
