Supporting the Start-up and Growth of Cooperatives
The Value-Added Sustainable Development Center helps cooperatives and other community-owned businesses in rural Illinois start up and succeed, through technical assistance, training, and publications. Assistance is delivered through a combination of Center staff, partner cooperative development agencies, and paid consultants, with most assistance available free of charge. Cooperatives in all sectors of the economy are eligible for assistance, which is also available to economic development and business assistance organizations seeking to enhance their own ability to serve co-ops.
This support of cooperatives is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development.
Types of assistance provided by the Center
Primary services
- Co-op start-up process & resources
- Planning & visioning
- Sector-specific info
- Steering committee formation
- Member recruitment
- Incorporation process
- Cooperative bylaws
- Grant writing techniques
- Financing & fundraising
- Board of directors training
By-referral or fee-based services
- Business plan development
- Feasibility studies
- Marketing studies
- Target market analysis
- Economic impact analysis
- Organizational development
Links of interest
- Read about our new cooperative model for small town grocery stores
- Links to cooperative publications and organizations are available here
- Illinois Cooperative Council
- Mid America Cooperative Council
- CooperationWorks!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.