Where cooperation is at work, communities prosper
For 37 years, we have been at the forefront of sustainable cooperative development in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Cooperative Development Services (CDS) and its 501(c)3 charitable subsidiary, the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS (the Fund) actively support the growth of cooperative businesses at all stages, including long-established co-ops, startups, and co-op conversions in urban and rural communities. Our programs and services reflect our understanding that a cooperative must be successful both as a democratic association of members AND as an operating business. We offer analysis, planning, and educational services customized to meet your co-op’s specific needs. Our technical assistance gives co-ops tools to maximize business opportunities and gain access to necessary capital. View our Program pages to learn more.
What We Do Best
- Cooperative Startups and Education
- Cooperative Local Foods Systems
- Cooperative Business Development
- Cooperative Capitalization
To talk to us about your specific project, Contact Us.
Want to know what’s needed to successfully start a co-op? Review our Co-op 101 Tutorial.
CDS Updates Co-op 101 Tutorial for Startups
Welcome to this tutorial on starting a cooperatively owned enterprise. (Click image to download.) This guide will likely be most useful for groups seeking to start a co-op with members…
CDS Celebrates Program Gains at Annual Meeting
CDS tangibly engaged 131 cooperatives, 33 start-ups and 8 agricultural businesses in FY22 from rural and urban communities. Supported incorporation of two new agricultural cooperatives. Helped six co-ops secure $890,000…
Help us by “Cooperate to the Max” Tomorrow
November 17th is “Give to the Max Day” (GTMD) in Minnesota. GTMD is a statewide collective effort bringing an outpouring of support for thousands of nonprofits and schools across Minnesota. The…
