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    Cooperative Development Foundation

    ActiveEmploymentMakes PRIs
    Washington, DCWebsite2023835440

    About Cooperative Development Foundation

    CDF builds the capacity of the cooperative business community to solve societal challenges, reinforce democratic decision-making, and improve economic opportunities for all.

    Focus Areas

    Cooperative developmentCooperative education and scholarshipsDisaster recovery and emergency reliefAffordable housing (limited-equity housing co-ops)Worker cooperatives / good jobsFood cooperatives / healthy food systemsHome care cooperativesRural cooperative developmentNative American / Tribal cooperative development

    Who They Fund

    young, beginning, and small farmers (including Pine Ridge reservation residents)rural communities and rural agriculture stakeholders

    About Cooperative Development Foundation

    A defining thread in Cooperative Development Foundation’s grantmaking is its support for cooperative learning and leadership infrastructure. In 2024, it gave $500,000 to Langston University Foundation for the CoBank scholars program, and in 2025 it awarded $240,318 to Kansas State University Foundation for the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center. Those grants sit alongside support for cooperative centers, scholarships, conferences, and training programs that help cooperatives build internal capacity. The foundation also backs disaster response for cooperative communities, with 2025 grants to French Broad Trading Cooperative Inc and other recipients for hurricane relief. Its recent awards show a mix of large institutional grants and smaller field-building awards. Cooperative Development Foundation funds universities, cooperative organizations, and community-based groups, often for education, leadership development, technical assistance, or recovery work. The pattern includes housing cooperatives, food co-ops, rural co-op development, and Native American and Tribal cooperative initiatives. That combination points to a funder focused less on direct service delivery than on strengthening the systems, people, and organizations that make cooperative enterprises function. Recent grants also include support for multilingual training materials, conference sponsorships, and cooperative economics education, showing how the foundation invests in the connective tissue of the cooperative sector.

    What Cooperative Development Foundation Funds

    Cooperative Development Foundation supports several distinct parts of the cooperative ecosystem. In rural cooperative development, it gave $350,000 to South Dakota State University Foundation for expanding services for young, beginning, and small farmers on the Pine Ridge reservation, and $23,712 to Langston University Foundation for a scholars program focused on coaching and mentoring. Those awards align with its rural and agriculture-related cooperative work. Housing is another clear theme. The foundation gave $37,000 to Northcountry Cooperative Foundation for support for limited equity housing cooperatives and sponsorship of the Common Ground conference, and $25,000 to Naugatuck Valley Project Inc for capacity building for housing cooperatives in the Naugatuck Valley. It also funded recovery-related housing work through $24,500 to CASA of Oregon for redevelopment of a ROC community after a fire. Food co-ops and education appear as well. Grants of $35,000 to Ncba Clusa supported Co-op IMPACT Conference and CEC sponsorship, while $11,450 to Cooperative Development Institute Inc supported an immigrant cooperative bookkeeping training manual and event sponsorship.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $800K

    Total Assets

    $11.5M

    Total Revenue

    $2.5M

    Total Expenses

    $2.3M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $8K and $36K, with a median of $10K.

    25th Percentile

    $8K

    Median

    $10K

    75th Percentile

    $36K

    Geographic Reach

    National24 states funded

    About 6% of grants go to recipients in MN.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Julie Bosland

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 23-7044533Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $11.5M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    limited-equity housing cooperative residents and ROC (resident-owned community) members
    Spanish-speaking and immigrant cooperative organizers/participants
    cooperative leaders, board members, and emerging cooperator scholarship recipients

    Funding Style

    capacity buildingconference sponsorship and conveningscholarships and leadership developmenttechnical assistance and curriculum developmentdisaster relief and community redevelopment

    Topics

    cooperative development and cooperative economics educationlimited-equity and resident-owned housing redevelopmentsupport for young/beginning/small farmers and local/micro-agriculturemultilingual/Spanish-language cooperative training and materialscooperative business real estate ownership explorationconference-based peer learning (Co-op IMPACT, Common Ground, CCMA, Up & Coming Food Co-op)cooperative governance/advanced cooperator training and mutual aid programs

    How Cooperative Development Foundation Gives

    Typical grant size clusters around $7,750 at the 25th percentile, a $10,000 median, and $36,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes a small set of larger institutional grants above $100,000, alongside many awards in the $10,000 to $37,000 range. Recipients recur across years: Langston University Foundation, Ncba Clusa, and Ralph K Morris Foundation each appear more than once. The foundation makes program-related investments and also uses multiple grant structures, including scholarships, conference sponsorships, technical assistance, and emergency relief. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Rural Cooperative Grant, the Disaster Recovery Fund, and the Howard Bowers Fund for Food Co-ops.

    Where Cooperative Development Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is national, with recipients spread across U.S. cities and regions and 6% of grants going to recipients in Washington, DC. Minnesota appears often in recipient locations, including Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and the top-state count is Minnesota. Other recurring recipient cities include Langston, OK; Brookings, SD; Fargo, ND; Northampton, MA; and Washington, DC. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the recent grants list.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Cooperative Development Foundation

    What kinds of cooperatives does Cooperative Development Foundation support?

    The foundation supports rural cooperatives, food cooperatives, limited-equity housing cooperatives, home care cooperatives, worker cooperatives, and Native American and Tribal cooperative development. It also funds cooperative education, scholarships, disaster recovery, and technical assistance tied to those sectors.

    What is a typical grant size?

    Typical grants cluster at $7,750 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $36,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes awards from $10,000 to $500,000, showing a wide range of support sizes.

    Does the foundation fund organizations more than once?

    Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Langston University Foundation, Ncba Clusa, and Ralph K Morris Foundation. That suggests some recurring relationships alongside one-time awards.

    Can organizations apply directly for some grants?

    Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the Rural Cooperative Grant, the Disaster Recovery Fund, and the Howard Bowers Fund for Food Co-ops. Other programs, such as the Cooperative Leaders & Scholars Fellowship, do not accept unsolicited applications.

    What recent geographic patterns stand out?

    Recent awards are entirely U.S.-based and are distributed nationally. Minnesota is the top state by grant count, and recipient cities include Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Washington, DC, Langston, Brookings, Fargo, and Northampton.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Cooperative Development Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Oct 1, 2026Award: $1K – $10K

    Cooperative Education Fund (research & small grants)

    cooperative researchcooperative educationscholarships+4 more

    Who can apply: Supports education activities of other cooperative sectors, including cooperative research, sponsorship of cooperative education events and scholarships, and development of cooperative education materials and programs.

    Deadline: Applications are encouraged by October 1 for food cooperative board and staff training support; annual grants, scholarships, and sponsorships are awarded throughout the year.

    View & apply
    Open nowAward: $200 – $6K

    Howard Bowers Fund (Bowers Fund) — Training & Scholarship Grants for Food Co-ops

    Food cooperative trainingBoard and staff educationScholarships to attend professional conferences

    Who can apply: Cooperatives, cooperative development organizations, cooperative-related groups, groups forming a cooperative, and members/staff/board. Grants only available to co-ops within the U.S. Re-application allowed only if prior reports submitted.

    Deadline: Biannual grant cycles (spring and fall). Specific cycle dates vary; past cycles listed (e.g., Feb 15 and Sep 15 historically).

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    Disaster Recovery Fund

    disaster recoveryemergency hardshipcrisis response+2 more

    Who can apply: Who can apply: cooperatives and cooperative organizations. Funding supports recovery from disasters and emergencies, including aid to employees and volunteers and uninsured expenses needed to return the business to viability.

    Deadline: No fixed deadline; applications accepted as needs arise.

    View & apply

    Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Kansas State University FoundationManhattan, KS$240,3182025Support for the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center
    North Dakota State UniversityFargo, ND$144,1962025Support for the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives
    French Broad Trading Cooperative IncAsheville, NC$100,0002025Hurricane relief
    Human Connections FundRaleigh, NC$49,9002025Hurricane relief
    South Carolina Cooperatives Care FoundationCayce, SC$49,9002025Hurricane relief
    NCBA CLUSAWashington, DC$35,0002025Sponsorship of Co-op IMPACT Conference and CEC
    Columinate Community FoundationTucson, AZ$26,5002025Cooperative economics series
    Naugatuck Valley Project IncWaterbury, CT$25,0002025Capacity building for housing cooperatives in the Naugatuck Valley
    Langston University FoundationLangston, OK$23,7122025Scholars Program focused on coaching and mentoring
    Hendersonville Community Co-opHendersonville, NC$15,8002025Hurricane relief
    Cooperative Development Institute IncNorthampton, MA$11,4502025Immigrant cooperative bookkeeping training manual and event sponsorship
    Federation of Southern Cooperatives LAFEast Point, GA$10,0002025Sponsorship of various rural agriculture events
    Austin Cooperative Business FoundationAustin, TX$10,0002025Exploration of owning real estate for housing and business cooperatives
    Ralph K Morris FoundationMinneapolis, MN$10,0002025Sponsorship of various cooperative education and leadership programs
    The Working World dba Seed CommonsNew York, NY$9,8002025Advanced cooperator training and mutual aid program
    Keystone Development CenterHarrisburg, PA$8,2002025SBDC curriculum development
    Indiana Cooperative Development CenterIndianapolis, IN$7,0002025Sponsorship of Up & Coming Food Co-op Conferences
    University of Wisconsin FoundationMadison, WI$6,8612025Sponsorship of CCMA conference
    UHABNew York, NY$6,0002025Sponsorship of gala
    South Dakota State University FoundationBrookings, SD$5,6232025Support for developing micro-agriculture and local foods programs on the Pine Ridge reservation
    Board of Regents of the Univeristy of Wisconsin SystemMadison, WI$5,2032025Transcreating cooperative education materials for Spanish speakers
    Langston University FoundationLangston, OK$500,0002024CoBank scholars program
    South Dakota State University FoundationBrookings, SD$350,0002024Expanding services for young, beginning, and small farmers on the Pine Ridge reservation
    American Indian College FundDenver, CO$300,0002024CoBank scholars program
    Northcountry Cooperative FoundationSaint Paul, MN$37,0002024Support for limited equity housing cooperatives and Sponsorship of Common Ground conference
    NCBA CLUSAWashington, DC$35,0002024Sponsorhip of Co-op IMPACT Conference and CEC
    CASA of OregonSherwood, OR$24,5002024Redevelopment of a ROC community after a fire
    University of Wisconsin FoundationMadison, WI$22,0002024Conference sponsorship and scholarship support
    Colmenar Consulting CooperativeOakland, CA$10,0002024Multimedia guide to addressing confllict
    Ralph K Morris FoundationMinneapolis, MN$10,0002024Sponsorship of various cooperative education and leadership programs
    Nexus Community PartnersSaint Paul, MN$10,0002024North Star development program
    Federation of Southern Cooperative LAFEast Point, GA$10,0002024Sponsorship of various rural ag events
    Cooperacion Santa AnaSanta Ana, CA$7,5002024Marketing curriculum for Spanish speakers
    Cooperation BuffaloBuffalo, NY$7,1712024Co-op academy sponsorship
    US Federation of Worker Co-opsPhiladelphia, PA$5,5002024Series of co-op clinics
    National Cooperative Business AssocWashington, DC$111,1002023To support the council of Cooperative Economists and the Cooperative IMPACT conference
    Heartland Community CollegeNormal, IL$100,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    The ICA Group IncNorthampton, MA$57,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    Colorado State University FoundationFort Collins, CO$50,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    Urban Homesteading Assistance BoardNew York, NY$15,0002023HDFC Leaders Group Cooperative Education
    Collective REMAKELos Angeles, CA$10,0002023Education Fund for Cooperative development
    Florida Electric Cooperatives AssociationTallahassee, FL$10,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    Rutgers the State University of NJNew Brunswick, NJ$10,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    Ralph K Morris FoundationMinneapolis, MN$10,0002023Cooperative Leadership Scholarships
    New York Law SchoolNew York, NY$8,5002023Charitable and education purposes
    Federation of Southern CooperativesEast Point, GA$8,0002023Charitable and education purposes
    Nexus Community PartnersSt Paul, MN$7,5002023Charitable and education purposes
    Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership CenterDenver, CO$7,5002023Charitable and education purposes
    Ecological Democracy Institute of North AmericaRiverdale, MD$7,5002023Charitable and education purposes
    The Ajani GroupRaleigh, NC$6,7002023Charitable and education purposes

    Kansas State University Foundation

    $240,318
    Manhattan, KS2025

    Support for the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center

    North Dakota State University

    $144,196
    Fargo, ND2025

    Support for the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives

    French Broad Trading Cooperative Inc

    $100,000
    Asheville, NC2025

    Hurricane relief

    Human Connections Fund

    $49,900
    Raleigh, NC2025

    Hurricane relief

    South Carolina Cooperatives Care Foundation

    $49,900
    Cayce, SC2025

    Hurricane relief

    NCBA CLUSA

    $35,000
    Washington, DC2025

    Sponsorship of Co-op IMPACT Conference and CEC

    Columinate Community Foundation

    $26,500
    Tucson, AZ2025

    Cooperative economics series

    Naugatuck Valley Project Inc

    $25,000
    Waterbury, CT2025

    Capacity building for housing cooperatives in the Naugatuck Valley

    Langston University Foundation

    $23,712
    Langston, OK2025

    Scholars Program focused on coaching and mentoring

    Hendersonville Community Co-op

    $15,800
    Hendersonville, NC2025

    Hurricane relief

    Cooperative Development Institute Inc

    $11,450
    Northampton, MA2025

    Immigrant cooperative bookkeeping training manual and event sponsorship

    Federation of Southern Cooperatives LAF

    $10,000
    East Point, GA2025

    Sponsorship of various rural agriculture events

    Austin Cooperative Business Foundation

    $10,000
    Austin, TX2025

    Exploration of owning real estate for housing and business cooperatives

    Ralph K Morris Foundation

    $10,000
    Minneapolis, MN2025

    Sponsorship of various cooperative education and leadership programs

    The Working World dba Seed Commons

    $9,800
    New York, NY2025

    Advanced cooperator training and mutual aid program

    Keystone Development Center

    $8,200
    Harrisburg, PA2025

    SBDC curriculum development

    Indiana Cooperative Development Center

    $7,000
    Indianapolis, IN2025

    Sponsorship of Up & Coming Food Co-op Conferences

    University of Wisconsin Foundation

    $6,861
    Madison, WI2025

    Sponsorship of CCMA conference

    UHAB

    $6,000
    New York, NY2025

    Sponsorship of gala

    South Dakota State University Foundation

    $5,623
    Brookings, SD2025

    Support for developing micro-agriculture and local foods programs on the Pine Ridge reservation

    Board of Regents of the Univeristy of Wisconsin System

    $5,203
    Madison, WI2025

    Transcreating cooperative education materials for Spanish speakers

    Langston University Foundation

    $500,000
    Langston, OK2024

    CoBank scholars program

    South Dakota State University Foundation

    $350,000
    Brookings, SD2024

    Expanding services for young, beginning, and small farmers on the Pine Ridge reservation

    American Indian College Fund

    $300,000
    Denver, CO2024

    CoBank scholars program

    Northcountry Cooperative Foundation

    $37,000
    Saint Paul, MN2024

    Support for limited equity housing cooperatives and Sponsorship of Common Ground conference

    NCBA CLUSA

    $35,000
    Washington, DC2024

    Sponsorhip of Co-op IMPACT Conference and CEC

    CASA of Oregon

    $24,500
    Sherwood, OR2024

    Redevelopment of a ROC community after a fire

    University of Wisconsin Foundation

    $22,000
    Madison, WI2024

    Conference sponsorship and scholarship support

    Colmenar Consulting Cooperative

    $10,000
    Oakland, CA2024

    Multimedia guide to addressing confllict

    Ralph K Morris Foundation

    $10,000
    Minneapolis, MN2024

    Sponsorship of various cooperative education and leadership programs

    Nexus Community Partners

    $10,000
    Saint Paul, MN2024

    North Star development program

    Federation of Southern Cooperative LAF

    $10,000
    East Point, GA2024

    Sponsorship of various rural ag events

    Cooperacion Santa Ana

    $7,500
    Santa Ana, CA2024

    Marketing curriculum for Spanish speakers

    Cooperation Buffalo

    $7,171
    Buffalo, NY2024

    Co-op academy sponsorship

    US Federation of Worker Co-ops

    $5,500
    Philadelphia, PA2024

    Series of co-op clinics

    National Cooperative Business Assoc

    $111,100
    Washington, DC2023

    To support the council of Cooperative Economists and the Cooperative IMPACT conference

    Heartland Community College

    $100,000
    Normal, IL2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    The ICA Group Inc

    $57,000
    Northampton, MA2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Colorado State University Foundation

    $50,000
    Fort Collins, CO2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Urban Homesteading Assistance Board

    $15,000
    New York, NY2023

    HDFC Leaders Group Cooperative Education

    Collective REMAKE

    $10,000
    Los Angeles, CA2023

    Education Fund for Cooperative development

    Florida Electric Cooperatives Association

    $10,000
    Tallahassee, FL2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Rutgers the State University of NJ

    $10,000
    New Brunswick, NJ2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Ralph K Morris Foundation

    $10,000
    Minneapolis, MN2023

    Cooperative Leadership Scholarships

    New York Law School

    $8,500
    New York, NY2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Federation of Southern Cooperatives

    $8,000
    East Point, GA2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Nexus Community Partners

    $7,500
    St Paul, MN2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center

    $7,500
    Denver, CO2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    Ecological Democracy Institute of North America

    $7,500
    Riverdale, MD2023

    Charitable and education purposes

    The Ajani Group

    $6,700
    Raleigh, NC2023

    Charitable and education purposes