The Institute is widely recognized as one of the most important training opportunities available to co-op members, directors, staff and managers. Held each fall in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Institute attracts hundreds of cooperators from the U.S. and Canada for two and one half days of comprehensive technical programs and discussions.

NASCO posts job and internship opportunities with organizations and businesses in the cooperative sector in North America and beyond.

NASCO Action Camp, held each August, provides an intensive training environment for leaders and active members of housing co-ops, worker collectives, and other democratically run communities. Participants spend one week in a beautiful natural environment engaging in a week long program on privilege and anti-oppression work and interactive fun, using techniques from Theater of the Oppressed.

NASCO annually sponsors a two-day conference for student co-op managers and staff, held every spring. This conference focuses on professional development and networking. Outside speakers and special sessions are scheduled.

The Shared Resource Library is a virtual toolbox full of cooperative documents, links, and images. Looking for a board training manual? Want to share your house menus? The Shared Resource Library is the place to go to upload and download all types of useful files!

Special organizing and training resources are made available to groups interested in starting or expanding cooperatives. NASCO Development Services provides an array of development services including assistance in pre-development activities, financial assistance, and start-up assistance.

In 1988, NASCO Properties was established as an affiliate of NASCO to purchase and hold title to property around the United States, which are then leased to local co-ops. NASCO manages NASCO Properties and through it provides assistance to the local leasing co-ops. Staff members visit each leasing co-op at least three times per year to help with finances, maintenance, and other problems or issues that may arise. In 2004, a second title holding organization was created between NASCO and Riverton Community Housing, called Lots in Common (LINC).

NASCO is committed to providing support and trainings to cooperators who seek to take on more active roles as leaders in their communities. Want to learn more about the broad spectrum of the cooperative movement in the U.S.? Seeking to develop leadership skills and network with other emerging leaders in the cooperative business sector? Find out more about our Emerging Co-op Leaders Conference and other trainings throughout the year.

North American Cooperatives range from Dining Coop to Credit Unions to Worker Co-ops. Maintained and updated by users like YOU, the NASCO guide is a searchable database that covers the entire spectrum of North American Co-ops. Users may create profiles and update information for the co-ops that they belong to and search co-ops by type of co-op, location, and type of ownership.