Session 4 of this four-part series is “Financing the Cooperative’s Startup Phase.”
Session 4 focuses on financing during that startup phase—exploring options like member investment shares; individual gifts; fiscal sponsorship for charitable contributions; grants from federal, state, and foundation sources; and use of lines of credit to revolve payments. Participants will learn practical strategies for focusing your early fundraising efforts and identifying sources of matching funds for grant applications.
Session 4 Presenter: Kevin Edberg, Cooperative Development Services
Cooperative Development Services (CDS) is offering this free virtual training series on topics highly relevant to early stage producer co-ops and led by experienced professionals with deep cooperative experience. Co-ops are encouraged to send multiple participants.
The training is made possible through the Minnesota Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, which is funded by a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The contents of the training and other program materials are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA or MDA.
