CONTACT: Liz Bailey
703.302.8093
Lbailey@cdf.coop  

Funds Available for U.S. Cooperative Recovery from Natural Disasters
Merger of the CDF and Northcountry Disaster Recovery Funds 

Arlington, VA—Citing the need to pool resources and efficiently help members of the U.S. cooperative community recover when natural disasters strike, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) and the Northcountry Cooperative Foundation (NCF) today announced a merger of their disaster recovery funds and the ongoing management of the funds by CDF.  While the NCF funds were targeted specifically to meet the needs of food co-ops and their suppliers in the Upper Midwest, CDF’s fundraising will continue to be broad-based and targeted to the unique recovery needs of disaster situations, both domestic and international.

“Mother Nature has given us a mission – to enable co-ops to help other co-ops when disaster strikes”, said CDF Executive Director, Liz Bailey.  “Currently we are raising funds and making grant awards from CDF’s Emergency Fund to assist cooperatives in the Northeast that suffered devastating losses from Hurricane Irene, but we’ve also just completed raising $120,000 for the cooperatives in Japan that are still recovering from last spring’s earthquake and tsunami.  We are grateful to the Northcountry Cooperative Foundation for the infusion of $65,000 in additional funds for use with the current Hurricane Irene recovery effort and, as a result of this merger, we also will extend eligibility for funding from CDF’s Emergency Fund to any cooperatives in the Upper Midwest who would have been eligible to apply for assistance from Northcountry’s disaster recovery grant program.”

In addition to thanking Northcountry Cooperative Foundation for the transfer of its funds, CDF also singled out the food cooperative sector for its generous support for both the NCF and CDF disaster funds.  “This is all about co-ops helping co-ops,” said Bailey.  “Every time there has been a disaster, the cooperative community, and food co-ops in particular, have responded and we know that they will be there again for victims of the next disaster as well.”  In addition to the food cooperatives, CDF singled out several other organizations that have been particularly supportive of the CDF Emergency Fund this past year with their donations of time or money, including:  the CHS Foundation, which provided $50,000 in seed money for the Japanese recovery initiative; NCB and the National Cooperative Grocers Association, who both provided $5,000 in seed money to get the Hurricane Irene fundraising established; and CDF’s partners in the outreach and review of applications for assistance due to Hurricane Irene losses – the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), the Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE) and National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA).

“2011 has produced a devastating series of storms, tornadoes, floods and wildfires,” Bailey said.  “We applaud the resiliency of the co-ops and their members who have been affected and we sincerely thank the cooperative community for its generosity in coming to their assistance.  The needs are massive and we’ll never be able to cover all of their losses.  But we can help at some level and we ask you to continue to support co-op recovery through a tax-deductible donation to the CDF Emergency Fund.”

To make an online contribution, to get more information on the CDF Emergency Fund, to access the grant application, or to find information about the first Hurricane Irene grant awards, go to CDF’s website, www.cdf.coop .  Checks can be made out to CDF-Emergency Fund and sent to: CDF at 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington, VA  22202.  For more information, contact Ellen Quinn at equinn@cdf.coop or 703.383.8094.

#   #   #   #   #   #

CONTACT: Liz Bailey
703.302.8093
Lbailey@cdf.coop

The US Co-op Community Raises $120,000 for cooperative recovery in Japan 

Washington, D.C.—Responding to the need to help the long-term recovery of the Japanese economy from this year’s natural disasters, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) today announced an award of $120,000 to the Japanese Consumer Cooperative Union (JCCU) from CDF’s Co-op Emergency Fund for Japanese Recovery.  “Our fundraising began within days of the earthquake and tsunami and today we are pleased to announce this grant award to JCCU for use in helping the Japanese cooperative community rebuild after this devastating natural disaster” said CDF Board Chair, Gasper Kovach, Jr.

The announcement was made today inWashington,DCandCancun,Mexicowhere the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is having its General Assembly.  Representing CDF at the announcement in Cancun is Lindy Bannister, General Manager of the Wedge Community Co-op in Minneapolis, MN and a member of the US delegation to the ICA meeting.

“This is all about co-ops helping co-ops, one of the core Co-op Principles” said Kovach. “The funds raised come from cooperatives and members of cooperatives across theUnited States. The contributions range from a $50,000 check from the CHS Foundation to $15,000 in funds raised from the U.S. student housing co-op community, $5,000 contributions from multiple food co-ops and $5 and $10 contributions from individuals from across the country.  It’s also been a response that is about concern for community which is another of the fundamental Co-op Principles that are shared by co-ops worldwide.”

Kovach singled out the food cooperative community for special thanks for their response to the fundraising appeal.  “Every time there has been a major disaster, theU.S.food cooperative community has shown great compassion and generosity.  They always step up to the challenge and the response to the Japanese co-op community’s needs was no different – close to 50% of the funds raised for Japanese recovery came through the food co-op sector and it’s for that reason that CDF is pleased to have a member of the U.S. food co-op community, Lindy Bannister, making this presentation to JCCU on behalf of the entire U.S. cooperative community.”

“We thank the ICA for providing us with this opportunity to make this presentation during the ICA General Assembly.  Together we celebrate the resiliency of the Japanese cooperative community as we begin the worldwide observance of 2012 as the International Year of the Cooperative.  The theme of the observance is “Cooperatives Build a Better World” and nowhere is this more evident than in Japan.  We hope that these funds from the U.S. cooperative community will speed the recovery of Japanese cooperatives and enable them to continue to add value to the Japanese economy and the Japanese way of life,” Kovach concluded.

The Cooperative Development Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit charitable organization that promotes community, economic and social development through cooperative enterprise (www.cdf.coop).  CDF is the non-profit affiliate of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA).  CDF collects no fees for any of its costs associated with this fundraising and, as a result, 100% of the funds raised will be available to JCCU for the benefit of the Japanese cooperative community.

#   #   #   #   #   #

Cooperative Development Foundation
2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 800,Arlington,VA22202

PDF available here.

Liz Bailey
703-302-8093
lbailey@cdf.coop

Arlington, VA—Citing the need to help in the recovery of the cooperative community that was in the path of Hurricane Irene, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) today announced the launch of the Hurricane Irene Cooperative Recovery Fund at www.cdf.coop .

The fund will direct tax-deductible contributions specifically to individuals and cooperative businesses along the East Coast and throughout New England who have experienced losses. The fund also will seek to assist organic farmers who are prime suppliers to food cooperatives.

CDF also announced that the first contributions to the fund are $5,000 from the National Consumer Cooperative Bank (NCB) and $5,000 from the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA).  The fund will seek contributions from all sectors of the cooperative business community and from the general public.

“Regions throughout the continental United States have been hit by a devastating series of storms, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.  In the latest major storm, Hurricane Irene, the victims again include co-ops and their members and we want to help.   The devastation has been massive, with flooding and wind damage that has inundated both urban and rural areas from North Carolina to Vermont,” said CDF Executive Director, Liz Bailey.  “The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) applauds the resiliency of the people affected and the extraordinary work being done by government response teams and disaster relief agencies.  We encourage your support for relief efforts that are providing invaluable support for victims, but we also ask you to consider a donation to this Fund which is focused on recovery of cooperatives and their members.”

“This is all about co-ops helping co-ops,” said Bailey.  “Every time there has been a disaster, the cooperative community has responded with financial assistance and we know that they will be there again for victims of Hurricane Irene as well.  We thank both NCB and NCGA for their early support for this fundraising initiative and their recognition that the cooperative community includes not only cooperative businesses and their members, but also their suppliers, such as the family farmers who the food cooperative sector relies on for its inventory of healthy foods.”

Collaboration with Other Co-op Organizations

CDF will partner on this fund drive with its colleagues in the cooperative community, both nationally and in the region to assure the maximum possible impact. CDF will take no administrative fee for funds raised to assure that 100% of the funds donated reach the people and organizations who need help.  CDF’s primary points of contact in the affected area will be the Cooperative Fund of New England and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association who will assist in identifying the needs and dispersing funds to those with the greatest needs.  Other partners who will assist in outreach and identification of needs include:  Cooperative Development Institute , National Cooperative Grocers Association , the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives.

Online donations to the Hurricane Irene Cooperative Recovery Fund can be made at www.cdf.coop. Checks can be made out to CDF-Irene Fund and sent to: CDF at 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington, VA  22202. For more information, contact Ellen Quinn at equinn@cdf.coop or 703.383.8094.

#   #   #   #   #   #

SPECIAL VEDA FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE-DAMAGED BUSINESSES AND FARMS
Applications for financing may be obtained by calling VEDA at 802-828-5627.  Applications may also be downloaded and/or completed on-line at www.veda.org.

NOFA-VT
Farmer Emergency Fund for Organic farmers
http://nofavt.org/programs/farm-financial-resources/farmer-emergency-fund

Center for an Agricultural Economy/Pete’s Greens Emergency Farm Loan Fund
http://hardwickagriculture.blogspot.com/2011/09/announcing-emergency-loan-fund-from.html

Support our Farmers after the flooding – Transition Vermont http://transitionvermont.ning.com/forum/topics/support-our-farmers-after-the-flooding

For more information on the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund, or to donate online, go to http://www.vermont211.org/

To donate online visit http://www.vermontredcross.org/

Now it is time for us to help our friends and neighbors who were not so lucky:

To that end the Spinnery will be donating the profits from our shop and on-line retail sales made from September 3 to September 11, 2011. Proceeds will go the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.  Expenditures from the fund will be used 100% for the unmet long term needs of survivors from the Irene disaster.

May 24, 2011

Washington, D.C.—Citing the need to help the long-term recovery of individuals and cooperative businesses, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) announces its launch of the Spring Storms of 2011 Cooperative Recovery Fund.

“Regions throughout the continental United States have been hit by a devastating series of storms, tornadoes, floods and wildfires. We’ve all been horrified by the scenes from Tuscaloosa and Joplin, and we’ve watched in disbelief as massive flooding has inundated both urban and rural areas throughout the Mississippi River Basin,” said CDF Executive Director, Liz Bailey. “The death and destruction that has occurred is beyond belief and the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) applauds the resiliency of the people affected and the extraordinary work being done by government response teams and disaster relief agencies. We encourage your support for relief efforts that are providing invaluable support for storm, flood and wildfire victims, but we also ask you to consider a donation to this Fund which is focused on long term recovery.”

Cooperatives have been an important building block in bringing economic development to many parts of this multi-state area. Cooperatives have raised incomes and provided affordable services — providing agricultural production infrastructure, housing, access to credit and rural utility services, and access to markets for crops. In many areas, much of this infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leaving cooperatives and their members with few tools to rebuild and help themselves recover from these disasters.

“The establishment of this Fund is all about co-ops helping co-ops,” said Bailey. “Our focus is on what will be necessary for recovery once disaster relief has met most immediate needs. With your help, we can help to rebuild cooperative businesses and we’re also committed to getting new cooperative development as part of the long term recovery – helping more people experience the benefits that cooperatives can bring to their lives.”

CDF will partner on this fund drive with its colleagues in the cooperative community, both nationally and in the regions affected to assure the maximum possible impact. CDF will take no administrative fee for funds raised to assure that 100% of the funds donated reach the people and organizations that need help. A prime point of contact for CDF in the South will be the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund which will help to identify the needs of farmers and farm cooperatives and help CDF coordinate this effort with the wider cooperative community in that area. In the Mississippi River Basin and other parts of the country, CDF will rely on similar players in the cooperative community who “know the territory” and can help CDF identify members of the cooperative community with the greatest needs.

Donations to the Spring Storms of 2011 Cooperative Recovery Fund can be made online by going to the CDF website (http://www.cdf.coop/the-spring-storms-of-2011-co-op-recovery-fund/) Donations by check should be made out to CDF-Spring Storms of 2011 Fund and mailed to the Cooperative Development Foundation at 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22202. CDF also continues to accept donations for its Tsunami Cooperative Recovery Fund and information on that Fund is available at the CDF website as well. For more information contact Ellen Quinn (equinn@cdf.coop or 703.302.8094)
# # # # # #

Cooperative Development Foundation
2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22202

February 28, 2011

CONTACT: Elizabeth Bailey
202 383-5459

lbailey@cdf.coop

12 New Food Co-ops and Groups Receive Howard Bowers Day Grants

Washington, D.C.—The Howard Bowers Fund of the Cooperative Development Foundation is pleased to announce $10,000 in grants to new and about-to-open food co-ops and groups organizing food co-ops across the country.

The grants are the result of fundraising done specifically for this purpose by food co-ops nationwide as part of their annual observance of Howard Bowers Day.  “Cooperative groceries pick a day each October to be ‘Howard Bowers Day’ and donate 1% of their receipts for that day to support education and training for food co-ops staff, management, and boards,” said CDF Executive Director Elizabeth Bailey.  “In 2007, the focus for Howard Bowers Day was made more specific — the training needs of newly-formed co-ops and groups who are organizing food co-ops — and this focus has been retained for Howard Bowers Day.  This is another marvelous example of co-ops helping co-ops, the 6th Cooperative Principle, as the established food co-op community mentors a new generation of food co-ops by providing financial resources for training on operations and governance at this critical stage of development.”

Two co-ops will receive grants of $1,000 each and ten will receive grants of $800 for staff training for all positions and board training in leadership skills, becoming a more effective board, fundraising, membership recruitment, strategic planning, and transitioning from community organizers to business managers:

Bay Ridge Food Co-op in Brooklyn, NY

East Aurora Cooperative Market in East Aurora, NY

Fairbanks Community Co-op Market in Fairbanks, AK

Friendly City Food Co-op in Harrisonburg, VA

Green Hill Food Co-op in Brooklyn, NY

Kalabash Food Co-op in Brooklyn, NY

Lovettsville Cooperative Market in Lovettsville, VA

Manchester Area Consumer Co-op Society in Manchester, NH

Monadnock Community Market Co-op in Keene, NH

Queens Harvest Food Co-op in Woodside, NY

Stone’s Throw Market Co-op in Troy, OH

Sustainable Sea Cliff Co-op in Sea Cliff, NY

The Howard K. Bowers Fund of the Cooperative Development Foundation was established in 1993 to honor Howard Bowers, an outstanding food co-op general manager. The Fund’s focus is the education and development of board members, management, and staff of food cooperatives.  The Cooperative Development Foundation (www.cdf.coop) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting economic development through innovative cooperative enterprise.