Advisory Services Available Through CWCF

Both new start-up co-ops and existing worker co-ops are eligible to receive CDI AS funding form the CWCF. From the perspective of a group/co-op who wishes to seek advisory services to develop their worker co-op or their existing worker co-op, this is the way the CWCF's program works:

1. The group/co-op approaches CWCF to seek advisory services.

2. CWCF tells the group about, and answers any questions on, the co-op development process, the CDI program (including the ICP component), and the advisory services that are available from CWCF and, if appropriate, the relevant regional office of CCA or CCC.

3. CWCF sends an application form to the group.

4. The group completes and submits the application form.

5. CWCF reviews the application, speaks to the group (usually the lead proponent), checks references, and consults with the relevant regional organization. If the group meets the strategic priorities of both the CWCF andthe relevant regional organization, it has priority to receive early-stage advisory services (called "Initial Development Support") from CWCF with the understanding that if all goes well, the region will provide the later-stage advisory services, at least in those regions which work in this way (Ontario being the only region about which this is known at this time). For an existing co-op proposed advisory service much enhance the long-term viabilityof the co-op.

6. Where CWCF funds the Initial Development Support for a start-up co-op, $1500 is awarded to the group, as long as it is a start-up, to hire a developer certified by the Worker Co-op Developers' Network. Where the group is working with a developer not on the list, that person or organization may apply to join and be certified by the Network. Where the available developer does not have all required skills, funding would be made available for a mentor to the front-line developer.

7. A small amount of funds, up to $3,000 in total, will be used for mentoring of developers who have not yet achieved full certification. Thus developers who are not fully certified may be eligible to receive a contract for Initial Development Support, as long as they can identify a qualified developer who would provide mentorship. Mentor developers would receive $750 for mentorship on a project.

8.Once a developer is chosen, s/he carries out the Initial Development Support. The early stage advisory services provided as part of the Initial Development Support are:
1) Pre-feasibility study
The following 2 elements which together are called the "project plan":
2) Creation/enhancement of a plan for business development
3) Creation/enhancement of a plan for organizational development. (Where the regional office would not provide later-stage services, the services provided would include preparation of proposal(s) for later-stage funding, in lieu of b and c above. Later-stage services would include business planning and organizational development, leading up to the launch of the new co-op or expansion / enhancement of an existing co-op)

9. Once the reports about the Initial Development Support come in, CWCF reviews the reports for two elements: (1) completion, and (2) recommendation regarding the viability of the project. On the first one, completeness: if the report meets the criteria set out adequately for Initial Development Support, we release funding. On the second one, recommendation: CWCF would write up a brief assessment, including suggested modifications to make the project more viable, and recommend whether or not the proposed co-op should receive funding from a regional office or another agency. CWCF will make it explicit that an assessment of the report will be made available to other interested funders.

10. To assist groups in identifying other resources, we would use the results of our recent Fund Sustainability Project whereby we canvassed all relevant government, NGO and co-op sector supports for worker co-op development (capital and technical assistance). All those supports identified which could be useful for a particular project, we will share with that co-op and its developer.

11. Further, where a co-op has different needs than for the early-stage advisory services as described above, CWCF would work flexibly to accommodate the co-op's needs if possible. For example, if a start-up primarily needed 20% matching funding to a CEDTAP grant for co-op development advisory services, CWCF would consider such support in lieu of early-stage advisory services. Or, we may want to be able to continue working with a group that received some technical assistance through our Fund, which requires going to the next level. By increasing flexibility in what our funding can be used for, we hope to increase the possibility of partnering and to provide the type of support that the group most needs.

Please email your request for an application to David Wilson.