Building the Field
The Cooperative Education Fund supports cooperative research, sponsors cooperative education events and scholarships and develops cooperative education materials and programs.
Each year, the Cooperative Education Fund offers:
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10-15 grants to support cooperative education programs
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6-10 event sponsorships
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Individual scholarship support through a grant to the Ralph K. Morris Foundation
The Fund provides $75,000 - $100,000 in grants, scholarships, and sponsorships annually. Grants range between $1,000 - $10,000. Over $1,000,000 has been given out in the past ten years.
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
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.
Grant Cycles
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May 1
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October 1
Applicants will be notified of their application status within 45 days of the close of a grant cycle.
CDF’s Cooperative Education Fund will offer small grants to individuals interested in conducting research to identify and provide documentation for nominations of individuals from historically overlooked or marginalized groups 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.
Preference will be given to students associated with or supported by cooperatives or cooperative organizations. Applications due on February 1. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 15. If awarded, research is due on August 15.
Meet the Cooperative Education Fund Grantees
Include Education Fund Fundraising into your food co-op events
The “Neighboring Co-operator Award” acknowledges special contributions made to the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) and the advancement of our vision. As part of the award, the NFCA makes a contribution to the 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 our 11th Annual Meeting in 2022, the NFCA honored Glenn Lower, General Manager at Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, with the award, acknowledging his leadership and contribution to our collaborative efforts to grow food co-op startups in the Northeast and nationwide.
Past recipients of the award, launched in 2015, have included Alex Gyori, former General Manager of Brattleboro Food Co-op (VT); Terry Appleby, General Manager of Hanover Co-op Food Stores (NH & VT); Kay Litten, NFCA Board Member and longtime Director of Hanover Co-op Food Stores (NH & VT), Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union; Patrice Lockert Anthony, President of GreenStar Co-op Markets (NY); Joanne Todd, Director at Willimantic Food Co-op (CT) and CEO, Northeast Family Credit Union; and JQ Hannah, Assistant Director at Food Co-op Initiative (FCI).
Glenn Lower, General Manager, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op
2022 Neighboring Co-operator Award recipient
The Neighboring Food Co-op Association raises funds for the Education Fund with its Neighboring Cooperator Award
