August, 2021

Dear friends,
 
This month’s newsletter includes upcoming workshops, funding updates + other key co-opportunities that will help you unlock the power of your co-op community. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from any of these resources, be sure to share!

In the past year, we’ve trained members and founders of over 130 distinct co-ops. (Phew!) Help us to make the next year even more valuable by giving us some feedback in this 4-question survey in English or Spanish. You can also share updates & ideas with us by emailing cfne@coopfund.coop 

 Together, we can better serve our co-op community. 


Co-op Curious?
We’ve got you covered. Check out these learning co-opportunities from CFNE & our partners.
Starts September 10 @ 10:30 AM -1:00 PM EDT | $500 per business; discounted or free for qualifying businesses 
Are you interested in being a great place to work while improving your bottom line? CFNE and CDI invite you to apply for the Participatory Management Initiative, an innovative new training program that shows business owners and managers how to:

  • teach employees how the business meets its goals,
  • engage employees in making decisions to improve the business, and
  • recruit, develop, and retain great people by being a great place to work.

This program might be a fit for your cooperative or business if you are an operating, for-profit enterprise with a team of 2-3 leaders who can commit to the 6 training sessions over a 4-month period (Fridays from 10:30-1).
 
Interested in learning more? Just fill out the intake form in English or Spanish. Click here for more information and fee waiver information.


October 4-8 | Virtual: $75 until Aug 15.; $100 thereafter

IMPACT 2021 will bring together hundreds of cooperative leaders, developers, professionals, academics and policymakers—all with the overarching goal to advance the shared interests of the cooperative ecosystem. With the theme of “Embracing Our Cooperative Identity,” IMPACT sessions will challenge cooperators to deepen their understanding of the values and principles that truly make cooperative enterprise unique, and to act on that deeper understanding. Information and registration here.
In Case You Missed It!
On Demand | Free
Our July 28th workshop, “Co-op Membership: Recruitment, Engagement + Retention” is available for viewing on our Youtube channel. Click here for the recording You can catch any of our previous trainings on topics including governance, financial management, and cooperative principles on this Youtube playlist.

If you’re interested in a 1-on-1 coaching session on this topic, click here to schedule an appointment.



Co-op Capital
Stay updated on relevant funding co-opportunities. 
Welcome Chris Linder!
We are pleased to announce that on August 16, Chris Linder will join CFNE as the Maine Loan & Outreach Officer. Chris joins us after directing MaineStream Finance, a nonprofit lender/CDFI focusing on mortgage and small business lending. He has also led teams providing technical assistance on enterprise development, product development, social performance, and digital finance in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Chris was introduced to microfinance and cooperative finance as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa.
Massachusetts Co-op Business Grants

CFNE has been awarded $312,500 in pass-through grant funds from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s CDFI/CDC Grant program. We are making these funds available to support small and struggling cooperative businesses, and to support existing small businesses working toward co-op conversion.

Businesses may apply for a maximum of $10,000 to be used for business stabilization, including (but not limited to) technical assistance; member education; marketing; health and safety upgrades; ongoing expenses such as payroll, rent, and loan payments; and feasibility studies and valuations for co-op conversion.

We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis through May 31, 2022, as long as funds are available. Click here to apply


Co-op Community
Stay connected to our co-op community. 
The US Federation for Worker Cooperatives is offering a fellowship open to cooperators in Massachusetts, New York, and “one other state TBD” to equip and support worker owners as advocates and spokespeople for worker co-op initiatives in their home state. Details and application are here.


We’d love to follow and amplify your content! Follow @CoopFundNE on Instagram  or Facebook, and feel free to reach out with news to share. And of course, if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter using this link.
In cooperation,
Carolyn Edsell-Vetter
Cooperative Business Support officer
Cooperative Fund of New England