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Cooperative Development Foundation

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Washington D.C., DC
Cooperative Development Foundation

CDF envisions a future where all people in our nation can address their needs, pursue their aspirations, build shared wealth, and thrive in community.

CDF builds the capacity of the cooperative business community. While CDF engages in educational programming and public outreach activities, a substantial amount of its work involves management of grant and loan funds. The following list describes the nature of that grant and loan activity, as well as some of the other program initiatives in which CDF engages on a regular basis:
Scholarships for c

o-op staff and board of directors training (The Howard Bowers Fund for the food cooperative community);
Pre-development financing from a revolving loan fund for affordable senior housing cooperative projects, in both urban and rural settings ( The Jacob Kaplan Fund);
Gap financing from a revolving loan fund for acquisition of, or repair of student housing cooperatives (the Kagawa Funds);
Grant awards for feasibility studies and technical assistance for innovative cooperative development initiatives that address the needs of seniors in rural America (The MSC Fund);
Recognition of outstanding cooperative leaders through the Cooperative Hall of Fame (www.heroes.coop );
Educational programming that both enables networking among co-op development practitioners and raises awareness about cooperatives in the public policy arena (in 2005, a Forum on Cooperative Solutions for Seniors; in 2006 and 2007, an online auction profiling the work of the U.S. art and craft cooperative community);
Served as a fiscal agent for organizations engaged in cooperative development such as: Central American coffee cooperative, Cooperation Works!, and the network of U.S. cooperative development centers interested in agriculture;
Management of United Co-op Appeal, a workplace giving program that annually raises unrestricted funds for more than a dozen organizations engaged in domestic and international cooperative development;
In response to recent natural disasters, CDF also raised close to $200,000 for economic recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the South Asian Tsunami. In both cases, the funds are being used for economic and community recovery, repairs to cooperative businesses, cooperative education, and the creation of new cooperative businesses as part of the total recovery from these disasters.

04/10/2026

🌍 Ready to lead cooperatives into the future? Our partners at the International Centre for Co-operative Management are hosting an International Masterclass for Transformative Co-operative Leadership at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax from October 26–30, 2026 in collaboration with the Co-operative College of the Philippines.

This immersive, week-long program equips cooperative leaders with advanced tools to:
✨ Strengthen governance for transformation
🌱 Navigate risks and global challenges like the climate crisis
🤝 Build resilience through inter-cooperation
♻️ Explore circular economy models across sectors
📊 Measure and report sustainability using co-op-focused ESG frameworks

Learn alongside an international cohort through dynamic lectures, case studies, group exercises, and site visits—designed to expand your perspective and impact.

🚨 Limited spots remain for 2026!
Secure your place today: https://www.smu.ca/iccm/programsandcourses/shortcourses/transformative-cooperative-lead-masterclass.html

04/08/2026

⏳ Just 1 week to go! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

We’re only ONE WEEK away from the start of the Virtual Co-op 5K (April 18 – May 1)! Get ready to run, walk, or roll with the co-op community and make every step count. 💙

👉 There’s still time to join us—don’t miss your chance to be part of something bigger.

04/06/2026

🎉 Thank you, Loeb & Loeb LLP! ⚖️

We’re proud to recognize Loeb & Loeb LLP as a Gold Trophy Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! As a leading law firm with a strong commitment to client service and industry expertise, Loeb & Loeb provides strategic legal counsel across a wide range of sectors, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve their goals.

Through their dedication to partnership, innovation, and community engagement, Loeb & Loeb supports organizations that make a meaningful impact.

Thank you, Loeb & Loeb LLP, for supporting the cooperative community and helping make the Co-op 5k possible! 🧡👟

04/03/2026

🎉 Thank you, Neighboring Food Co-op Association! 🥕

We’re proud to recognize the NFCA as a Scamper Team Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! NFCA is a network of food co-ops across New England and New York working together to strengthen a thriving regional food system rooted in cooperation, shared success, and community ownership.

Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, NFCA supports member co-ops in advancing local food economies and expanding access to healthy, sustainably sourced food.

Thank you, NFCA, for your commitment to cooperation and for supporting the Co-op 5k! 🧡👟

03/30/2026

Who inspires you?

The people who expand what’s possible. The ones who lift others up, open doors, and build pathways for future generations.

In the cooperative community, we honor these leaders through the Cooperative Hall of Fame—individuals who embody values like equity, democracy, and solidarity while leaving a lasting impact.

Now is the time to recognize the co-op heroes who have inspired you. Consider nominating them for the 2027 Cooperative Hall of Fame.

✨ Learn more about past inductees: https://www.heroes.coop/
✨ Join us in celebrating this year’s honorees on October 8, 2026

Read the full blog at https://www.cdf.coop/news

03/27/2026

CDF staff spent yesterday at the CoBank volunteer zone at DC Central Kitchen alongside colleagues and partners. We helped DCCK prep meals for our neighbors and put our Cooperative Principle 7 - Concern for Community in action. Thank you to our sister organization, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International for organizing a DMV co-op community volunteer day!

03/27/2026

⏳ Just 3 weeks until the Virtual Co-op 5k kicks off! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Get ready to run, walk, or stroll with the co-op community from April 18 – May 1 as we celebrate cooperation and support CDF’s work strengthening the cooperative business community. 💙

📣 Don’t miss the registration deadlines:
✔️ Virtual race: Register by April 17
✔️ In-person race (Washington, DC – May 2): Register by April 29

Whether you’re joining from across the country or at the starting line in DC, every step helps us Do Well to Do Good.

👉 Sign up today and be part of the Co-op 5K! https://www.cdf.coop/co-op-5k

03/25/2026

⏰ Reminder! Join us for our upcoming webinar on shared equity housing and data infrastructure.

📅 March 27, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM ET

Learn from the Urban Institute and field leaders about how stronger data can help communities expand permanently affordable housing, advance racial equity, and support community wealth building.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/46LVUnv

While you’re here, please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey to capture learnings and inform the field.

🔗 Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H8L6TDQ

03/23/2026

🎉 Thank you, Capital Impact Partners! 🏃

We’re excited to recognize Capital Impact Partners as a Gallop Team Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! As a national nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Capital Impact Partners works to build inclusive and equitable communities by providing financing, programs, and resources that expand access to quality health care, education, healthy food, affordable housing, and cooperative ownership.

Through its commitment to community development and economic opportunity, Capital Impact helps create stronger local economies and more vibrant communities.

Thank you, Capital Impact Partners, for supporting the cooperative movement and helping make the Co-op 5k possible! 🧡👟

03/20/2026

🎉 Thank you, Shared Capital Cooperative! 🤝

We’re proud to recognize Shared Capital Cooperative as a Red Ribbon Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! As a national cooperative loan fund, Shared Capital provides financing to cooperatives and community-based businesses that may not have access to traditional capital.

By investing in worker co-ops, food co-ops, housing co-ops, and other mission-driven enterprises, Shared Capital helps expand cooperative ownership and build more resilient, equitable local economies.

Thank you, Shared Capital Cooperative, for supporting the cooperative movement and helping make the Co-op 5k possible! 🧡👟

03/18/2026

🎉 Thank you, ! 💙

We’re proud to recognize the National Credit Union Foundation as a Red Ribbon Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! As the charitable arm of the credit union movement, NCUF works to advance financial well-being for all by supporting credit unions, developing industry leaders, and investing in programs that strengthen communities.

Through initiatives that promote financial health, education, and cooperative impact, NCUF helps ensure the credit union movement continues to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Thank you, NCUF, for supporting the cooperative community and helping make the Co-op 5k possible! 🧡👟

03/16/2026

🎉 Thank you, Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)! ⚡

We’re proud to recognize CFC as a Gold Trophy Sponsor of this year’s Co-op 5k! For more than 50 years, CFC has helped electric cooperatives across the country build, maintain, and improve the infrastructure that powers rural communities.

Through financing, industry expertise, and strategic resources, CFC supports the long-term strength and resilience of the electric cooperative network while helping co-ops continue delivering reliable, affordable power.

Thank you, CFC, for your commitment to the cooperative community and for supporting the Co-op 5k! 🧡👟

Address

1725 EYE Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12023835440

Website

http://www.cdf.coop/

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The Cooperative Development Foundation

CDF’s mission is to promote and develop cooperatives to improve economic opportunities for all. The Foundation is operated for charitable, scientific, and education purposes with particular emphasis on promoting community, economic and social development through cooperative enterprise. CDF's purpose is threefold: to raise and distribute funds for cooperative economic and community development projects; to build partnerships that create cooperative solutions to today's economic problems; and to raise awareness of the role cooperatives play in the nation's and world's economies. CDF's revenues include contributions and grants, government grants, investment income and receipts from special events.