US Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC)

A national membership organization representing worker co-ops, democratic workplaces, and allies. USFWC supports over 6,000 worker-owners across the country and advances economic justice through worker ownership.
Resources include:

• News and updates about worker cooperatives
• Networking opportunities through councils and committees
• Comprehensive directories of co-ops and democratic workplaces
• Recordings, videos, books and other useful resources
• Educational opportunities for members (see Learning Resources)

Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI)

A think tank created by USFWC, DAWI is dedicated to building the field of worker cooperative development. Through research, education, and advocacy, it provides resources on best practices, models, and policy strategies.
Highlights:

• Resources in English and Spanish
• Biannual Worker Cooperative State of the Sector Report
• Guides on business entity selection and cooperative development (see Learning Resources)

Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC)

A global hub for research, advocacy, and support for cooperatives in the digital economy. PCC fosters the growth and conversion of platform co-ops with tens of thousands of worker-owners worldwide.

CooperationWorks! (CW)

A national network of co-op developers active across all 50 states and sectors. CW has trained cooperative developers for over 25 years, enabling resource sharing and collaboration throughout the cooperative ecosystem.

Co-op Hudson Valley

Partners with workers to start and grow cooperative enterprises while building collective economic power. Part of Seed Commons, Co-op HV provides loans and technical assistance to empower community-centered projects.

New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYC NWC)

A trade association for worker co-ops in the NYC metropolitan region. NYC NWC promotes workplace democracy and improves business conditions for democratic, worker-owned businesses.

Cooperative Economics Alliance of NYC (CEANYC)

Supports community-led, democratically controlled initiatives such as worker co-ops, consumer co-ops, land trusts, mutual housing, and gardens. CEANYC emphasizes social and racial justice, ecological sustainability, and economic democracy.

Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative (BCDI)

A community-led effort to create equitable, sustainable, and democratic local economies that generate wealth and ownership for low-income people of color.

• US Federation of Worker Cooperatives: Monthly startup webinars (English & Spanish) and startup mini-guides and tools..
• Democracy at Work Institute: Guides for startups, existing co-ops, and a useful business entity selection tool.
• Co-op Hudson Valley JumpStart: Programs to launch new co-ops.
• Cooperative Educators Network (CENet): Curated learning paths in English and Spanish for self-learners and educators and a vast compendium of online resource libraries from cooperative organizations across North America and Puerto Rico.
• Start.coop: Basic concepts, skills, tools, incubator programs, and accelerator opportunities for new and growing co-ops. A program for business owners curious about transitioning to employee ownership
• Cultivate.Coop: Extensive library covering cooperative basics, history, governance, and philosophy.
• Grassroots Economic Organizing: Articles and forums on worker- and community-owned businesses.
• CFL Cooperative Development Program (CDP): Neighborhood-rooted approach to creating worker-owned businesses.
• National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International: Self-paced learning tools for co-op entrepreneurs.
• Co-opLaw: Legal, structural, and operational resources for worker co-ops.
• Art & Science of Cooperative Development: Rigorous course for co-op developers.
• Additional Resources: Collecting Ourselves, Co-op 101, shows and interviews exploring cooperative economics.

Other Support Programs:

• Start Small Think Big, PennPAC, Westchester SCORE, Lower Hudson Valley SBDC, The Acceleration Project (TAP): Expert advice and mentoring for small businesses and co-ops.

• Co-op Hudson Valley: Non-extractive loans paired with technical assistance.
• Shared Capital Cooperative: National CDFI loan fund for co-ops and housing.
• The Working World: Combines finance and tailored business support in low-income communities.
• Cooperative Fund of the Northeast (CFNE): Loans for socially responsible co-ops in New England and NY.
• Employee Ownership Catalyst Fund: Capital for businesses transitioning to employee ownership.

• North East Transition Initiative (NETI): Supports business exit planning and employee ownership transitions. See the Planning for Tomorrow Video Series for step-by-step explanation.
• ICA Group: Promotes employee ownership and democratic workplaces.
• Cooperative Development Institute (CDI): Builds cooperative economies and supports enterprise development.
• Becoming Employee Owned: An initiative of the Democracy at Work Institute.
• Project Equity: Facilitates transitions to worker ownership and fosters ownership culture.
• Owner to Owners: Guides business owners through sales to employees and community-based transitions in NewYork City.
• Exit to Community: Explores community-centered business ownership transitions.