We had a wonderful time at last month's dinner and fundraiser! 💜💜💜
We were grateful to have so many partners and supporters present, including representatives from the City of Cincinnati, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and other local organizations!
Here are some photos:
Special thanks to our awardees, who we recognized for their outstanding support:
Cincinnati Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney and Cincinnati Council Member Greg Landsman for their leadership in successfully advocating for City funding to strengthen the co-op movement in Cincinnati.
Ellen M. Katz, Robert Killins, Jr., Rasheda Cromwell, & Rosie Polter of Greater Cincinnati Foundation for long-term, game-changing grants and partnership, especially for using their convening power to strengthen the co-op movement in Cincinnati.
Advisory Board Member Robert LaMothe for going above and beyond to strengthen our Business Legacy Fund, which transitions existing businesses to worker-ownership.
Also, thanks to our sponsors!
More good news: we reached our $10K goal for our October-November donation drive!
After our annual event, we have $5K left to reach our last-quarter goal of $30K!
Thank you to the people who gave during our October-November donation drive. We exceeded our goal of $10,000!
After our annual event, we have only $5,000 left to reach our last-quarter goal of $30,000!
If you would like to help us meet our last-quarter goal, you can donate at coopcincy.org/give.
Donations fund our work, enabling us to provide training, technical assistance, and loans to businesses owned by people from historically marginalized groups!
If you become a new monthly donor of at least $15, we'll give you a Co-op Cincy t-shirt as a thank-you! We'll also send you a t-shirt if you've been an existing monthly donor of at least $15 for one year!
The t-shirts are available in white (pictured) and with a purple background and white logo/lettering.
Special trip to tour Mondragon in Spain
We're excited to announce a special trip to tour the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation in Spain from April 23-28 of 2023!
Since being established in 1956, Mondragon has become a network of 100 worker-owned businesses employing more than 80,000 people worldwide.
We are leading a delegation of Cincinnatians to see firsthand how worker co-ops can be a powerful strategy for economic transformation.
Participants will tour a variety of co-ops, meet with leaders of the Mondragon network, and see how these worker-owned businesses can create a more resilient and equitable economy.
The trip will be an in-depth learning experience. It should also be a lot of fun.
Pricing starts at $2,600.
For more info, or to reserve your spot, contact Ellen Vera at ellen@coopcincy.org or 513.807.3898.
Co-op Cincy happenings
Here's what else we've been up to!
Power in Numbers
Our 3rd Power in Numbers (our co-op development course for Black-led teams) is wrapping up. We have 5 teams participating. They’re developing businesses ranging from a farming and food supply co-op to an electrical vehicle charging co-op. We invite you to attend the virtual Pitch Night, which is from 6-8 pm on Jan 10.
Construction Co-op U
Our 1st Construction Co-op U (our co-op development course for construction-related businesses) is also nearing completion. Six teams are participating. We invite you to attend the virtual Pitch Night, which is from 6-8 pm on Dec 21.
Business Legacy Fund
We recently finished a campaign to find businesses to transition to the worker-owned business model through our Business Legacy Fund. Businesses who are interested can still contact us.
Ohio Worker Ownership Network
We had an energizing meeting of the Ohio Worker Ownership Network at Gem City Market in Dayton. Co-ops and co-op developers gathered from around the state to connect and build skills.
New staff member
And we're in the final stages of bringing on a full-time Office & Project Manager to help our growing network thrive.
Co-op updates
Sustainergy 'brings inclusive capitalism'
Sustainergy was profiled in the Cincinnati Business Courier!
From the article: “Beyond its focus on saving energy, Sustainergy is building wealth among its employees. The company is a worker cooperative, a business model built on the idea of inclusive capitalism, which allows every worker to become an owner. The company provides fair compensation, health insurance, a collective bargaining agreement, bonuses, short-term loans with no interest and vacation time.”
Sustainergy was featured as one of the winners of the 2022 CLIMB (Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business) Awards from the Courier and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber!
A Touch of TLC Home Care is hiring
A Touch of TLC Home Care is looking for a Home Health Aide. The position is part-time, with the possibility of full-time. To learn more, phone 513-601-8455 or email atouchoftlchealthcare@gmail.com.
Movement news
In Cleveland.com, Jeanette Webster, chief investment officer for the Fund for Employee Ownership, writes, “As small businesses continue their recovery out of the pandemic, employee ownership can strengthen businesses and communities across Ohio.”
Some good news in healthcare: AlliedUP, a healthcare staffing provider, is seeking to reduce healthcare staff shortages and turnover through worker-ownership!
Events
6-8 pm on Dec 21: Pitch Night for Construction Co-op U
6-8 pm on Jan 10: Pitch Night for Power in Numbers
Jan 24 & 25: 3rd Biennial Cooperative Law Conference
