The Canadian Worker Co-op Federation (CWCF) offers technical assistance grants to worker co-ops that are, or agree to become, members of CWCF to hire a co-op developer or other professional to help with a challenge that the co-op is facing. Assistance can be sought in any area needed such as marketing, financial administration, governance, conflict resolution, legal issues, etc.
Grants of up to $4,000 (an increase from the previous $3,500 maximum) are now available, although smaller amounts may be awarded depending on the co-op’s needs. We encourage members — or prospective members — to apply for these grants in a timely fashion, as there is a maximum amount allocated for them in CWCF’s annual budget.
Recent recipients of the grants have put them to use in a wide range of areas. For two recent grant recipients Toronto Mobile Bike Repair Co-op and Two Whales Coffee Shop, the grants assisted with the process of converting to a worker co-op.
Two Whales Coffee Shop in Port Rexton, Newfoundland, received a grant to undertake a phased approach to its conversion: exploring feasibility, co-op implementation, and transacting the deal. The shop worked with Flourish Community Development Co-operative, which provided a situation analysis report, co-operative training, an operational transfer plan, and incorporation documentation. Olivia White says the support the grant provided was critical to handling the structural and legal hurdles she and the other members faced.
“As a startup, every dollar counts,” she says. “The grant gave us the financial breathing room we needed during a pretty intense and complex part of our formation. Instead of having to spend our limited personal funds on legal fees, we were able to redirect those investments into other startup essentials like marketing, equipment, and staffing. It really helped us move forward faster and with a lot more confidence.”
Toronto Mobile Bike Repair Co-op worked with consultant Russ Christianson, who helped it devise an exit strategy for the outgoing owner, review the financial model, and draft the bylaws and articles of incorporation, as well as provide coaching throughout the conversion process. Co-op member Percy White says receiving the grant from CWCF streamlined the process and gave the members confidence they were making the right decision, saving countless hours.
“The alternative to getting this grant would have been sinking many, many hours into trial and error and learning how to do this,” he says, “or straight up paying somebody out of pocket, which probably wouldn’t have been possible for us.”
We encourage all of our members (or prospective members) to consider how these grants might be of value to your co-op. If you are unsure about any details or would like more information, please contact Operations and Member Services Manager Kaye Grant at communications[AT]canadianworker[DOT]coop. The application forms for technical assistance grants are available here.