These organizations are CDS’ trusted partners in cooperative and sustainable development. Each plays a unique and valued role in helping individuals and organizations advance their cooperative interests.
Columinate
The cooperative of independent consultants provides assistance, typically on fee-for-service basis, to co-ops, nonprofits and other organizations that advance the common good.
Food Co-op Initiative
Provides online resources, webinars, and information about best practices in the start-up of food co-ops and food buying clubs; as funding is available, FCI sometimes is able to provide matching grants for technical assistance on a competitive basis.
CooperationWorks!
The national network of cooperative development centers. The organization supports its member centers and co-op developers with professional education. Especially if you are outside Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa, check out CW to find a co-op development center in your region.
Senior Cooperative Foundation
The Senior Cooperative Foundation promotes the successful development and operation of senior housing cooperatives. They have extensive experience in delivering education and cooperative solutions for issues facing senior housing co-ops and their member-owners. CDS partnered with the Senior Cooperative Foundation to develop the Senior Co-op Housing Education Program (SCHEP), a training program for member-owners. This multi-module training has been delivered to over 4,000 new owners, and can be provided to your co-op as well! SCF researched and identified Guiding Principles – a set of standards and principles important to the success of senior housing cooperatives and the satisfaction of their member-owners. For more information on SCHEP, Guiding Principles and other SCF Programs please go to seniorcoops.org.
Senior cooperative housing provides vibrant, affordable living with a neighborly perspective for active adults 55+. Senior cooperative housing is much more than new home – it’s a rich, rewarding lifestyle. For information on Carefree Living in a Vibrant Community, including a list of all the current senior housing cooperatives please go to the Senior Co-op Living website.
Cooperative Housing Resources
Cooperative Housing Resources, LLC is a HUD-approved lender and development consultant specializing in senior housing cooperatives. They provide mortgage banking services and organizational development consulting for senior housing cooperatives. CHR’s commitment to cooperatives stems from a strong personal belief in and witness to the redemptive power of communities. Cooperatives are unique in creating affordable, enlivened, independent and interdependent environments that preserve members’ financial resources and enhance the aging process. For more information, please contact Travis Johnson at travisj@seniorcoops.com.
SCH Purchasing Cooperative helps senior housing cooperatives and their members obtain greater purchasing power in the marketplace and otherwise further their common interests. SCHPC is owned and controlled by senior housing cooperatives who choose to make a one-time stock purchase and become members. SCHPC vets vendors for member desired products and services and selects a preferred vendor offering the best value. For more information on SCHPC and their product and service vendors, please go to SCHPC.coop.
