Financing Your Co-op

Securing financing for your co-op is a key step. Of course members are a key source of capital, however rarely do members have all the financial resources required. This means that securing additional capital from others is usually a necessary part of all co-op start-ups.

There are many different types and sources of financing and each source will require specific information about your co-op to determine whether or not they will provide the co-op any money. The co-op will also have to agree to specific requirements and conditions to receive the money. The following are some key resources that provide financing to co-operatives:

• Canadian Alternative Investment Co-operative 
• Tenacity Works Fund (Canadian Worker Co-op Federation)
• Members of the Canadian Community Investment Network Co-op (Local Credit Unions, etc.)
• Capital Guide