Building the Field
The Cooperative Education Fund supports cooperative research, sponsors cooperative education events and scholarships and develops cooperative education materials and programs.
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Each year, the Cooperative Education Fund offers:
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10-15 grants to support cooperative education programs
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12-15 event sponsorships
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Individual scholarship support through a grant to the Ralph K. Morris Foundation
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The Fund provides $100,000 - $140,000 in grants, scholarships, and sponsorships annually. Grants range between $1,000 - $10,000. Over $1,250,000 has been given out in the past ten years.
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The Cooperative Education Fund will not support:
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Development of proprietary materials. All materials developed with support from the Fund must be available to all at little or no cost.
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Individual scholarships
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Capital expenditures, general operating expenses or endowments
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Sponsorship of local events
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Projects outside of the U.S.
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Projects or programs that have already occurred
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Grant evaluations must be submitted within 30 days of the program/project completion. The evaluation is a narrative report on the program/project and must be submitted through Submittable. An organization must submit an evaluation to be considered for a future grant.​
Applications are only accepted through CDF's grant portal, Submittable, but a preview of the application is available.
CDF’s Cooperative Education Fund will offer small grants to individuals interested in conducting research to identify and provide documentation for nominations of individuals whose work and achievements in advancing cooperatives have gone unrecognized.
Research will be used to nominate and advocate for the next Unsung Cooperative Hero. Researchers will be required to advocate for their nominee to a Selection Committee comprised of cooperative leaders from all sectors. If the nominee is chosen for induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, the researcher will receive a ticket to attend the ceremony. There will also be up to two tickets available for family members of the inductee.
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Preference will be given to individuals associated with or supported by cooperatives or cooperative organizations. Applications due on February 2. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 15. If awarded, research is due on September 14.
Meet the Cooperative Education Fund Grantees
Include Education Fund Fundraising into your food co-op events
The “Neighboring Co-operator Award” was established in 2015 by the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) to acknowledge special contributions made to their work and the advancement of their vision of a co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just, and sustainable food system and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise. As part of the award, the NFCA makes a contribution to CDF’s Education Fund in honor of the recipient and invites other co-ops, organizations and individuals to do so as well.
To make a tax-deductible donation to the Cooperative Education Fund in honor of our Neighboring Co-operators, please use the "Donate" button below!
At their 15th Annual Meeting in 2026, the NFCA honored Doug O’Brien, President & CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA). The award recognizes O’Brien’s decade of service at NCBA CLUSA, the role of the organization in representing and advocating for our co-ops and credit unions, and its partnership with the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) in advancing its vision of a thriving co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy, just, and sustainable food system, and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise.
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“It’s an honor to receive this award from NFCA, an association that stands tall in the co-operative community,” said O'Brien. “I always look forward to the NFCA’s Annual Meeting and the opportunity to gather with so many committed co-operators. This is particularly important as we take some time to celebrate and also chart a course for the future of the U.S. co-operative movement at a critical time for our nation and the world.”
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Doug has been with NCBA, the umbrella association for all types of co-operatives in the U.S., since 2016 and became President and CEO in January of 2018. Before joining the association, he led the work of the White House Rural Council and served in top positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture focusing on rural economic development. In his capacity with NCBA, Doug O'Brien works with the co-operative community, both domestically and internationally, to deepen its impact and influence. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and DotCooperation, LLC.
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Doug has also worked in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and for two Governors. O'Brien's experience in academia includes teaching and writing at the University of Arkansas Law School and Drake University Law School. O’Brien was raised on a diversified farm in Dubuque County, Iowa, and holds degrees from Loras College (Dubuque, Iowa), the University of Iowa Law School, and the University of Arkansas LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law.
“It’s been my pleasure to work with Doug over the years,” said Erbin Crowell, NFCA Executive Director and a member of the NCBA Board of Directors. “We’re excited to recognize his decade of service with NCBA, his unwavering commitment to our movement, and his partnership as we have worked to ensure that our co-ops and their associations are able to continue to thrive and empower people to build more resilient and inclusive communities.”
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Doug O’Brien joins a growing group of people honored with this award, including Terry Appleby, former General Manager of Hanover Co-op Food Stores (NH & VT); Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund; Kari Bradley, former General Manager of Hunger Mountain Co-op (VT); Alex Gyori, former General Manager of Brattleboro Food Co-op (VT); JQ Hannah, Assistant Director at Food Co-op Initiative (FCI); Kay Litten, former NFCA Board Member and longtime Director of Hanover Co-op Food Stores (NH & VT); Patrice Lockert Anthony, former President of GreenStar Co-op Markets (NY); Glenn Lower, former General Manager of Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op (VT); Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union; Alice Rubin, former General Manager of Willimantic Food Co-op (CT); and Joanne Todd, Director at Willimantic Food Co-op (CT) and CEO, Northeast Family Credit Union.
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The NFCA’s “Neighboring Co-operator Award” acknowledges special contributions made to the advancement of its vision and raises funds for co-operative development through CDF’s Education Fund. Individuals, co-ops, and organizations are invited to make a tax-deductible donation in honor of Doug O’Brien and all our Neighboring Co-operators at https://www.cdf.coop/nfca.
The Neighboring Food Co-op Association raises funds for the Education Fund with its Neighboring Cooperator Award
