One great feature of co-operatives? It’s not just individual people that can start them. 

When you think of a co-op member, you may think of a single person. But co-ops can also be formed by businesses, organizations, and other institutions. This is a great way for these types of members to amplify their impact, share resources, and create efficiencies – often, these are set up as producer co-ops.  

Here are a few ways businesses and institutions have collaborated by starting a co-op to drive their success. 

Shared resources and reduced costs 

Small businesses often face high overhead expenses, or struggle to market and package their products as a small individual venture. Forming a co-op with other, similar businesses that have the same issues can be a great solution.  

A great example of this is Authentic Indigenous Seafood (formerly known as River Select). It was formed by Indigenous-owned, inland salmon fisheries in BC to handle marketing, fish processing, and distribution. The co-op processes, packages, and labels the fish, which is then sold centrally by the co-op and by each fishery. Without the co-op, it would be difficult for each fishery to do these things alone and maintain stability.  

The co-op also emphasizes the uniqueness of each fishery, ensuring they all retain their individual identities. Each fishery has its own name and logo, and the co-op traces where each fish comes from, allowing consumers to see which fishery caught the salmon they buy. 

Being part of the co-op also allows the members to focus on what they do best: fishing.  

As owners of the co-operative, the 17 First Nations fisheries all have an equal vote in the business’s operations. So, when it comes time to vote on things like what’s considered sustainable fishing, each Nation has a say. They retain their unique identities and vote in ways that make sense to them. 

Meeting the unique needs of members 

When the unique needs of a population aren’t met, a co-op can be a great solution. The co-operative Many Nations Financial Services was initially created to because teachers in Indigenous communities didn’t have access to the same financial services and products as those in non-Indigenous communities. Now, owned by the Indigenous organizations that use its services, Many Nations is a nationwide co-op that adapts its products and services to meet the specific needs of these members. It provides financial and group/employee benefit services to First Nations-owned businesses, governments, and organizations. 

This model has worked exceedingly well. The co-op is not only profitable – it has returned $1.6 million in patronage dividends to its members since 2012. By recognizing, understanding, and creating solutions to an unmet need, these organizations have created a highly successful co-op that benefits everyone.  

Supporting authenticity 

Small businesses and people who are self-employed can create more efficient supply chains – and stay true to themselves and their work – by starting a co-op.  

The Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op was formed through a partnership between student artists from Portage College, the local Friendship Centre, Métis Crossing, and the University of Alberta’s gift shop where the art students make is sold.  

This multi-stakeholder co-op provides a way for artists to obtain the materials they need to make their art, and market and sell their authentic pieces. This not only supports the artists, but ensures the work sold in gift shops is authentic, Indigenous art.  

Strengthened community ties 

Co-ops provide a way for organizations to collectively address local challenges and promote economic development. This came in handy in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. 

Like many rural areas, the Maple Creek region lacks sufficient childcare. Without enough childcare spaces, parents in the area struggle to go back to work, which impacts local businesses and the wider economy. And while individual parents can get together to start a childcare co-operative, the Maple Creek area tried a different strategy. 

Instead, the Town, Rural Municipality, Nekaneet First Nation, and the regional college got together and created the co-op along with a few local parents. These institutions, which have more capacity and human resources, started a licensed childcare co-operative to help meet the needs of local parents. 

Thanks to this initiative and collaboration, the co-op will build a new childcare facility with 60 childcare spaces for Maple Creek and area. 

Do you see an opportunity for businesses or organizations to work together? Let us know! We can help you get your co-op started, every step of the way.