Employee-led Chobani fund invests $250,000 in four local projects
Chobani and La Colombe will invest $1 million in four permanent community projects through the Chobani Legacy Project, expanding the employee-directed fund beyond its original markets in Central New York and Idaho’s Magic Valley.
Launched in 2022, the Chobani Legacy Project supports community-owned spaces designed to strengthen connection, wellness and opportunity. According to the company, each of the four selected projects will receive a $250,000 grant, with initiatives chosen directly by employees across manufacturing, operations and support teams.
In Muskegon, Mich., the Chobani Legacy Project will help Creating Healthy Schools deepen its work to support student and community wellness across Muskegon County. The grant will fund updates to two commercial kitchens to enable the organization to prepare more fresh, healthy meals and help build a stronger local food workforce. The improved spaces will also support a new line of student-created food products for schools and community partners, with the aim of increasing year-round access to nourishing, locally produced food.
In Central New York, funding will support the reimagining of Hyde Park in New Berlin as a wellness and activity area for all ages. Planned improvements include playground upgrades built in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), refreshed gazebo seating, a resurfaced and better-lit basketball court, outdoor fitness equipment and a community water station.
In Idaho, the grant will support the creation of the Shoshone Falls Overlook at Snake River Canyon Park on the north side of the canyon, near Twin Falls. The project will add ADA accessibility, parking for vehicles and recreational vehicles, an access road and a panoramic overlook pad at one of the state’s well-known natural landmarks.
In Philadelphia, funding will assist Lutheran Settlement House as it expands its long-running work serving residents across the city. The organization plans to add a fourth floor of flexible space for community gatherings and resource groups to a building that is already at capacity. The additional space is expected to strengthen local operations, allowing Lutheran Settlement House to reach more community members.
“At Chobani, we’ve always believed that investing in people and community makes business stronger,” said Nishant Roy, chief impact officer. “The Chobani Legacy Project takes that belief a step further by putting the power directly in the hands of our employees. They don’t just work in these communities — they build their lives here. By trusting them to lead, we’re creating permanent places where people can gather, belong and thrive.”
