Incorporate

Incorporation is when your co-op becomes real – when you’ll file the paperwork with the government to make it a legal entity that can start operating as a business.

We’re here to make this process easy for you. We can write your incorporating documents based on your vision for the co-op and submit them on your behalf. All you need is to be sure the co-op model is the right fit for your business, and at least three people dedicated to creating it.

We provide this service for a small charge that covers government fees and administration. That’s it. No hourly rates. No headaches.

Here’s how it works:

  • Complete our incorporation support form. This step initiates the process and provides important information for incorporating your co-op properly.
  • Next, we set up a kick-off phone call.
  • An experienced professional will work on your incorporation documents.
  • Within two weeks we review the incorporating documents with you before they’re submitted.
  • Finally, we notify you when the incorporation is complete – the timeline for this depends a bit on your province, but will likely take 2-6 weeks.

You focus on your business. Let us take care of the paperwork.

REQUEST SUPPORT

 

What our clients have said:

Working with Co-operatives First was INCREDIBLE! The group helped us through every step of the long journey. Each member of their team is so knowledgeable and each one of them played an important role in making our co-op a success! If anyone is considering going down the path of starting a co-operative — I would highly recommend reaching out to Co-operatives First. They are professional, enthusiastic and ultimately just a great bunch of people to work with!

– Lauren Johnson, Shaunavon Opportunity Fund Cooperative

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block