Dynamically populate CheckBoxList

Is there a way to populate a CheckBoxList using Javascript or do I need to do it via code behind? In the aspx file I have an empty checkbox list defined as:
<asp:CheckBoxList ID="lstFunder" runat="server"></asp:CheckBoxList>but when I try to use it in JS with the following:var lst = document.getElementById("lstFunder");lst is underfined.Any thoughts on this are genuinely appreciated. TIA   
 

 
 
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