July, 2021

Dear friends,
 
This month’s newsletter includes upcoming workshops, funding updates, job postings +
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!
We also encourage you to share your 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.
July 13 @ 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT| Free
This workshop is all about creating a process that creates a continuous stream of customers. Sales experts will guide you through 5 steps for a repeatable, winning sales process. This process has helped many businesses surpass $1M in annual revenue. Click here to register.
July 28 @ 12:00 PM -1:30 PM EDT | Free
Co-ops are enterprises collectively owned and democratically governed by their members but how do co-ops ensure that they have members in the first place? That members participate in their cooperative? And how might they increase or sustain member engagement even as the organization changes and evolves?
 
In this lunch-and-learn session, we’ll hear from a panel of practitioners who'll help us explore ways to strengthen co-op membership, through recruitment, engagement + retention! Click here to register.



The Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE) and the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) will launch the Participatory Management Initiative (PMI) in Fall 2021.
The PMI is an innovative new training program that is open to anyone in the region but will primarily assist Massachusetts based co-ops and small businesses who are recovering from the devastating economic impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This virtual program will include six sessions through the Fall, with specific dates TBA. 
Participants will learn specific strategies for improving business performance, profitability, resilience and job quality.
  • Co-op and other small business leaders interested in more information can learn more by filling out this short survey.
  • We will be offering a Spanish cohort as well -- Spanish-speaking business leaders can fill out this Spanish interest form to receive more info.

The training initiative is supported by a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). See below for a related job posting.

In Case You Missed It!

Our June 23rd workshop, “For Us By Us; Cooperative Principles: 3+4” is available for viewing on our YouTube channel. Click here for the recording.

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. 


We have a new bank!

CFNE recently switched our bank operating account to Amalgamated Bank. 

We were motivated to do this because we wanted a bank that aligns with our mission and values. After a lot of research, we decided on Amalgamated. Between their roots in the labor movement, their vision to further economic, social, racial and environmental justice, and their ability to meet our banking needs as a community loan fund, they felt like a great match. 

What this means for our borrowers:

  • You may notice a small deposit and withdrawal to your account from our Amalgamated account; this is just us testing that we have the right account numbers set up.
  • On your upcoming July bank statement, you may notice that our loan payment collection is identified in a different way. 
  • If you notice that the debit of your loan payment has not occurred, please let us know. There may have been a glitch in our transfer of info to the new account.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.


You can now receive both PPP & ERC, but cannot use the same wages as both ERC Qualified Wages and to obtain PPP loan forgiveness. Refundable payroll tax credit for businesses and nonprofits that retain their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Eligible businesses have been fully or partially closed as a result of a government order, or experienced a 50 percent reduction in quarterly receipts as a result of the crisis. The tax credit is equal to 50% of wages and compensation, for the first $10,000 of wages per employee. The credit is provided through December 31, 2020. 

Click the link below to check your ERC eligibility: 



Co-op Community
Stay connected to our co-op community. 
The US Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC) and the Democracy At Work Institute (DAWI) invites worker co-ops to participate in our annual census to study the economic and social benefits of the sector.  


 

Cooperative Development Institute is looking for a contractor this Summer and Fall to promote and support the Participatory Management Initiative with outreach, recruitment, and administrative support. They are looking for someone with extensive networks across Massachusetts among BIPOC communities and businesses, as well as women- and veteran-owned businesses. Applicants bilingual in English and Spanish are preferred. Click here to download the Contract Posting.



Join NCBA CLUSA and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives on Wednesday, July 14 at 4 pm EDT to learn how you can benefit from the survey! Click here to register for the launch event
 


While this e-newsletter is focused on providing valuable content to cooperatives, please also check out our 2020 Annual Report for updates on CFNE’s strategic plan and other work. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter using this Link.
In cooperation,
Johan Matthews
Community Engagement Facilitator
Cooperative Fund of New England