Form a Cooperative

Interested in forming a cooperative? There are some great resources, assistance and expertise available, regardless of the type of cooperative business that you, your business or community need—consumer, purchasing, worker, producer or a hybrid form of cooperative business.

Centers for Cooperative Development

Centers for cooperative development in the United States and Canada can help you form a cooperative or provide assistance with your cooperative busines. A number of them are affiliated with public universities. Check out our list of centers here.

NCBA Resources

NCBA can assist in locating other organizations that can provide support for cooperative development. While this is not an exhaustive list of resources, nor a set of recommendations, it is a starting point for your exploration:

• Start a Co-op
• Sources of Background Information
• Co-op Consulting Services
• Elements of Success
• Co-ops and Business Succession Planning

Co-opsUSA Resources

NCBA also provides consulting services in domestic cooperative development through its Co-opsUSA development center, which specializes in purchasing and shared service co-ops. Please visit the Co-opsUSA website, especially its Resources page, which has links to development centers, financial sources, a publications center and consultants.