Grant funds annual event honoring Bill Gessner

The legacy of cooperative developer and Hall of Fame member Bill Gessner lives on with a grant to Cooperative Development Services to host an annual event in his honor. The event will highlight the impact of cooperatives in meeting the economic, social and cultural needs of individuals and communities in the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest.

"Bill Gessner was one of several leaders in the Upper Midwest whose life's work laid a critical base for the startup, growth and wise use of the co-op model in this region. We intend to use these funds to partially fund public events that build on our history and lessons learned, link co-op education and co-op development, and name out loud our heroes while we encourage new audiences and practitioners, " said Kevin Edberg, Executive Director of Cooperative Development Services.

The grant was made from the Bill Gessner Legacy Fund, a fund organized by friends and colleagues and administered by CDF. The fund was formed to celebrate the life and work of Bill Gessner by supporting the growth and sustainability of start-up and existing food cooperatives. In 2019, the Fund awarded $80,000 in grants.