The problems faced by the staff, managers, and leaders of group equity cooperatives are unique and the number of peers is small. This pre-conference offers a full-day learning forum for co-op staff and member leaders from across Canada and the United States, providing space to connect, share strategies, and dig deeper into issues specific to your roles.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in breakout discussions by interest area, explore topics such as the grant workshop below, and collaborate on challenges facing co-op staff and members.
We are working with a small team of co-op staff and member leaders to finalize the agenda and facilitate the day, ensuring a shared and dynamic learning experience. So far Pink Flowers (ICC Ann Arbor staff member) and Steve Vig (Madison Community Cooperative member leader) have commited to supporting our pre-conference planning, if you are interested in joining them on our organizing team, please reach out to katherine@nasco.coop.
Draft Pre-conference Schedule*
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Welcome & Overview
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Personal Introductions
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Co-op Introductions
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch (provided on-site)
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM | Open Space (possible breakouts by job/interest area, HR clinic, etc..)
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Break
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Workshop Slot – breakout by interest into 2 groups
- Workshop 1 - Finding Your Funders: Strategies for Co-ops Navigating the Grant Landscape – Brie Winnega Reamer, PhD
- Workshop 2 - To be determined
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Wrap-up
*Please note the agenda may change as we finalize our plans.
Finding Your Funders: Strategies for Co-ops Navigating the Grant Landscape - Brie Winnega Reamer, PhD
Grants can be a powerful tool for growing your cooperative, but jumping into the world of fundraising without the right preparation can lead to frustration and wasted time. In this session, you'll learn how to assess whether your co-op is ready to apply for grants, what foundational materials and systems you'll need in place, and how to start the grant-seeking process with confidence. We'll also explore how to identify funders who are aligned with cooperative values and how to spot red flags when they aren’t. Whether you're just beginning to explore grants or looking to sharpen your strategy, this session will offer practical guidance and tools to help your co-op attract mission-aligned funding.
Pre-Conference Cost
NASCO Member - $60 USD / $80 CAD
Non-Member - $80 USD / $105 CAD