How Can We Help? KDC’s Services
Who We Serve
KDC works with groups who are considering starting a cooperative, existing cooperatives that need assistance, existing businesses considering a transition to cooperative ownership, and people building the ecosystem for cooperative development–such as co-op networks, nonprofit and government organizations, and philanthropic foundations. We work with every type of cooperative: farmer, consumer, worker, housing, investment, artist, network, etc.
What We Do
We provide Education and Training, Consultation and Coaching, and Networking and Ecosystem Building.
Education and Training
The fifth Cooperative Principle is Information, Education and Training. Without it, co-ops could not thrive or even in most cases form. We can provide a customized presentation, workshop, or series to your group on What is a Co-op, Co-ops in the Food System, Participatory Decision-Making, Running Great Meetings, and more. We also run the Cooperative Academy every year as an incubation for a cohort of co-ops getting started. The Cooperative Academy features bi-weekly workshop sessions with coaching in-between over a period of 4 months, and covers everything from Co-op History to Business Planning.
Consultation and Coaching
For groups that want to explore cooperative options or that are pursuing a cooperative project, we can co-design a workplan based on your needs. We have a development process that follows the phases of Explore, Assess, Structure, Implement, and Thrive.
In the Explore phase, groups explore their needs and consider why and what kind of co-op might be a good fit.
In the Assess phase, groups solidify into a steering committee and make a determination of what model(s) would meet their needs. They settle on a vision and mission and then conduct a preliminary feasibility assessment. This may involve some market research.
In the Structure phase, the specific steps to getting a functional cooperative are worked out, including a summary business plan. When needed, we can work to create a full business plan that includes value proposition, market strategy, financing, operations, management team roles and responsibilities, bylaws and incorporation, conflict management plan, and any other structural needs. KDC works with a cadre of lawyers and accountants as well as other business consultants to deliver sound support on these elements.
In the Implementation phase, the plan swings into action. Members are recruited, customers are acquired, vendor relationships are solidified, and everything is tracked with transparent, accountable, and efficient systems. This is when members would get training in group decision making, the dynamics of collective ownership, and organizational governance according to the co-op’s needs. KDC can also assist with site selection, hiring a manager, and applying for loans.
In the Thrive phase, co-ops fine-tune all of their systems to embody the 7 Cooperative Principles and maintain good organizational and business practices. They make membership meaningful, track and communicate their finances, retain customers, hold great Annual Meetings, support a culture of fairness, responsibility, and engagement with workers, invest in professional development, and contribute to the health of their communities. KDC can provide advice and guidance on any of these efforts.
Networking and Ecosystem Building
Cooperatives rarely get started or thrive in a vacuum. The most successful cooperatives benefit from and contribute to a rich ecosystem of peer networks, friendly lenders, knowledgeable business advisers, supportive policies, and allied movements. KDC is an active participant in several national co-op development networks as well as a partner to municipalities, regions, and organizations working to build sustainable community economic development.
Where We Work
The KDC centers its work on the mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, along with adjacent areas.
How We Are Paid
KDC works on a fee for service basis. Depending on the nature and location of the client group, we may be able to use grant funding from government and private sources to cover all or most of the cost of our services.
The 7 Cooperative Principles
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members – those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative or own it as workers – who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreement with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Member also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
The International Cooperative Values
- Cooperatives are also based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
- Cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.