BUSINESS SUPPORT + TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Providing cooperative-specific business support for members is a primary service area. Consider the Federation your go-to-partner for assistance in establishing and growing your democratic workplace.
Custom Business Consultations – Member workplaces can request a 1-hour customized business consultation that includes specific resource recommendations, expert referrals, and need-based technical assistance support. This benefit is an update to, and fully replaces, USFWC’s prior benefit of 4-hours of free technical assistance per member per year.
Expert Referrals & Reduced Service Rates with select in-network cooperative and business developers.
Growth Planning & Loan Readiness Support in partnership with our friends at Shared Capital Cooperative.
Discounts with preferred vendors for credit card processing, payroll, investment services, travel discounts, and cell phone plans.
*In Development* USFWC-sponsored retirement plan, reduced rates on business insurance, and state-by-state healthcare plans
EDUCATION + TRAININGS
Cooperative Principle #5 – Education, Training, and Information. From online webinars to local workshops, regional conferences and our bi-annual national conference, the USFWC partners with ally organizations, such as the Democracy at Work Institute and the Democracy at Work Network, to provide ongoing learning opportunities for individual workers and workplaces across the country.
Conference Discounts – Receive member-only discounted registration rate to the National Worker Cooperative Conference, Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy, Western Worker Cooperative Conference and other regional events.
Local Workshops & Online Webinar Series – Hosted in-person and online, we provide topical skill-based workshops for worker-owners with varying levels of democratic workplace experience.
‘Worker Cooperative Development Fundamentals’ Training – Year-long training for worker-owners, community organizers, and economic developers to become certified cooperative development advisors. USFWC members receive early program announcements and priority application status.
Worker Cooperative Development Fellowship – Six-month training program offering peer networking, tools development, and action learning for worker cooperative developers interested in exploring the question of scaling the democratic workplace model. USFWC members receive early program announcements and priority application status.
RESOURCES + RESEARCH
Don’t reinvent the wheel! From sample operating agreements and bylaws templates, to new member onboarding resources and peer accountability tools, we provide an easy-to-access collection of the best available resources. Additionally, we maintain a referral listing of high-quality cooperative developers, business advisors, and coop-friendly service professionals, as well as maintain the most up-to-date listing of democratic workplaces in the United States.
Directory of Worker Co-ops & Democratic Workplaces
Annual Economic Data Survey – In partnership with the Democracy at Work Institute, we maintain the only national economic data survey of democratic workplaces and support the production of an annual ‘State of the Sector’ report
PEER NETWORKS + LOCAL ORGANIZING
As a grassroots organization, we prioritize creating opportunities for member-led education and organizing
Peer Networks: These member-only spaces provide opportunities for members to connect with each other based on business stage/type or other specific interests. Through a combination of conference calls and in-person gatherings, these networks and councils meet occasionally throughout the year. Learn More.
Local Organizing: As a national organization, we support member-led local organizing, mostly through collaboration with local cooperative business organizations. Learn More.
ADVOCACY + PUBLIC POLICY
USFWC is your national advocate, representing the interests of worker cooperatives and advancing democratic ownership with federal agencies and elected officials, as well as lending support to member-led local advocacy initiatives. Learn More.