Programs
CEANYC Programs
CEANYC works with our members
to build bridges to one another.
How we Work:
Research
What and where are cooperative and solidarity-based groups operating? Who leads them? And how can we support each others’ work?
Convenings
We host and facilitate spaces for groups to deepen relationships, ground themselves in solidarity economy principles and
coordinate their work — economically and politically.
Matchmaking
We strategize with groups and broker relationships, helping groups prioritize doing business with one another and tailoring their pitches to get it done
Past Program Areas
Training, Education, and Technical Assistance
All of our offerings plug gaps in the training and assistance available to low-income and moderate-income people in New York City’s cooperative and solidarity economy. We provide meals, English/Spanish interpretation, and childcare at these sliding scale events unless otherwise noted. Partial and full scholarships are available for day-long or multi-day programs. We value local expertise over national consulting professionals, and most of our offerings are facilitated by trained peer educators. Folks come to CEANYC not only to learn, but to build their local network.
Cooperative Leadership Institute
A 2 hour overview of solidarity and cooperative enterprise principles and values, the landscape of such enterprise in NYC’s neighborhoods, and networking with groups active in the space. This workshop is designed to support those already in the field to learn more about the work of others.
Email organize@gocoopnyc.org to request a Co-op Road Show in your neighborhood or borough.
Similar to the Co-op Road Show, this introductory workshop is for groups interested in learning more about the field who may not yet be participating, or whose participation may be limited to a particular sector or model of cooperation.
A day-long session for co-op and nonprofit board members to deepen their knowledge of fiscal oversight, staff management, membership and representation, racial and social justice, governance, and legal responsibilities. Participants leave with the resources and plan needed to implement change and increase effectiveness.
This workshop can be provided to multiple or individual co-ops. Email organize@gocoopnyc.org for more details.
A 5 day training designed to build the skills and analysis needed for functional personal work ecology, leading values-aligned decision-making, and addressing oppression and power in an organization. All while building a network of peers to support ongoing economic and political cooperation
See more information about this year’s Cooperative Leadership Intensive.
New Yorkers under 30 who want to learn more about solidarity economy models built by and for everyday New Yorkers are invited to join #GenerationSolidarity programs. These workshops, tours, events, and activities introduce young people to new organizations, create valuable peer and career networks, and help build skills and analysis needed for emerging cooperative leaders.
Email Evie at evan@gocoopnyc.org to learn more!
Technical Assistance
We offer a wide range of assistance, from mediation and facilitation to advising on political relationships, marketing, and fundraising.
When we are unable to offer support ourselves we refer to trusted organizations and individuals in our national and international network to help meet the need.
Policy and Advocacy
All of our offerings plug gaps in the training and assistance available to low-income and moderate-income people in New York City’s cooperative and solidarity economy. We provide meals, English/Spanish interpretation, and childcare at these sliding scale events unless otherwise noted. Partial and full scholarships are available for day-long or multi-day programs. We value local expertise over national consulting professionals, and most of our offerings are facilitated by trained peer educators. Folks come to CEANYC not only to learn, but to build their local network.
Cooperatives for Social and Racial Justice
Cooperatives and solidarity economy enterprises can be transformative sites of resistance to the usual way of doing things, in politics and in business, but not without intention and action! As CEANYC members we are developing our collective capacity for action.
We mobilize on issue campaigns led by coalitions and associations where we hold membership such as NYRenews, American Sustainable Business Council, National Cooperative Business Association, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, and New Economy Coalition. When there are calls to action from these groups we mobilize, and in turn we seek support from them for raising the visibility of solidarity economy enterprise.
We support the sectoral advocacy of CEANYC members at the municipal, state, and federal level, particularly in partnership with associations like NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, NYC Community Gardens Coalition, or Inclusiv . This also includes supporting issue-based campaigns that focus on significant issues within the communities that make up our co-ops and neighborhoods, including housing, healthcare, and policing.
Visibility and Research
Unlike traditional businesses, cooperatives and solidarity economy enterprises don’t have budgets for advertising , fancy networking events, or opportunities to raise shareholder capital. Often, people don’t even know we exist! This problem is exacerbated by scant data collection by government or traditional business research groups.
To meet this gap, CEANYC engages in original research, marketing, and visibility initiatives to gather the necessary data and raise the profile of cooperatives and solidarity enterprise.
Marketing and Communications
CEANYC promotes co-ops at local events and through direct mail and online platforms. We’re also exploring joint advertising and innovative rewards programs together.
In partnership with Cooperative Development Institute, Data Commons Cooperative, and Cabot Creamery Cooperative we’ve also produced a bilingual English/Spanish printed booklet with more than 2000 entries to act as a “yellow pages” and contact list for co-ops and solidarity economy initiatives in our neighborhoods. It is the first and only directory of its kind in New York City.
CEANYC also provides consulting and media services to members including pitching media outlets, signal boosting, or providing pro bono social media tune ups and photography services. Email organize@gocoopnyc.org.
Value Chains Summit
Currently, regional cooperatives do not have any cross-sectoral association or event to bring them together to discuss economic and political cooperation. We’re completing research to bring these actors together for the first time, touching off new value chains, knowledge-sharing, and opportunities for collective action. Would you like to sponsor this event? We’d love your support. Email organize@gocoopnyc.org.
Solidarity Economy Giving Project
New York City’s solidarity economy includes more than 2000 organizations spread across all five boroughs primarily serving women, people of color, immigrants, and low-income communities. These democratic organizations meet neighborhood needs in every area of the economy, from food to finance, housing to culture. Most do not fit within the frameworks used by philanthropy and finance and also receive scant government support. The Solidarity Economy Giving Projects helps bridge this resource gap.
Solidarity Economy Giving Project
The Solidarity Economy Giving Circle is a newly formed group of donors committed to collectively moving money to build an economy in New York City that is based on values of social and racial justice, ecological sustainability, cooperation, mutualism, and democracy.
“Participating in the Solidarity Economy Giving Project was a powerful experience in both building community with other young people committed to social and economic justice in our city and in forging relationships with bold grassroots groups that are laying the groundwork for a just, sustainable, and democratic local economy.”
-Mike Sandmel, Giving Circle Participant
The first cohort of the Solidarity Economy Giving Circle runs 1 year. Each member commits to making and/or raising a meaningful gift of at least $2,000. Participants in the giving circle also collaborate with CEANYC staff and volunteers to host a Giving Party open to all to share stories of solidarity economy leaders and mark the end of each cohort.
Giving circle participants gather six times between September 2018-May 2019. Each of these sessions is a combination of exercises and discussions led by giving circle volunteers as well as informational presentations by community members who are active in the solidarity economy. The group decides which topics they want to cover.
These funds will be pooled and CEANYC’s democratically controlled member organizations will decide how to distribute the money. This helps to shift the problematic power consolidation that is the norm in funding, in which those with wealth also decide whose work is worthy of grants.
In order to ease the burden on volunteers to convene, facilitate, recruit, and sustain the Solidarity Economy Giving Project (SEGP) as a community, and to place trust in community members who best know their needs, SEGP donors agreed CEANYC’s elected Board of Directors will determine giving circle allocations for 2018. (The Board may revise this strategy to include former grantees and community members in later iterations, but is starting with a simple structure to kick off the project.)
Giving Party
The Solidarity Economy Giving Party held in the spring of each year with food, signature cocktails, door prizes, and dancing. Come and join us in a new kind of philanthropy, focused on giving rather than grantmaking, solidarity rather than charity. Move money to those working to transform our economy who need it most and have a blast while you’re at it!
If you would like to sponsor or volunteer at this event please email organize@gocoopnyc.org.
Grants
All CEANYC member organizations are eligible whether they are 501c3 nonprofits, incorporated as cooperatives or LLCs, or are unincorporated. This include groups who joined CEANYC through shared membership agreements with NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives and Urban Homesteading Assistance Board or who are members of National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions or NYC Community Gardens Coalition. Groups that are members of networks such as Brooklyn Queens Land Trust, and Just Food may also apply, but priority is given to groups covered under shared membership agreements.Individuals may apply but must be sponsored by a group in the above categories. Groups may only receive funding once per a calendar year. If you aren’t sure about your eligibility you can check the Membership Directory to see if your organization, or a network your organization belongs to, is listed. If it is not you can join CEANYC for at no cost by filling out a membership form.
Funds may be used to cover a range of expenses and activities including, but not limited to:
- Event Sponsorship (This includes fundraising parties or galas, conferences, public events, or gatherings.)
- Scholarships to attend conferences, trainings, and events, or to access technical assistance or coaching (This might include large gatherings or individual training or assistance from a cooperative or solidarity enterprise expert.)
- Crowdfunding campaign matches (This is only available if your group is a 501c3 nonprofit or is partnered with a 501c3 nonprofit that can receive the funds.)
- Emergency assistance (This might include recovery from a climate or natural disaster or responding to a crisis that jeopardizes your group.)
We have left these categories as broad as possible to allow us to distribute funds with the most flexibility.
Grants are made in amounts of $500-$5,000.
In the 2018 cycle CEANYC’s Board of Directors will be determining gift allocations. The Board uses the following criteria to determine funding:
- Group meets eligibility requirements
- Need (Can this money come from anywhere else or is CEANYC the only or a primary source of funds?)
- Sectoral diversity (Gifts are spread evenly across our membership of credit unions, worker co-ops, food co-ops, community gardens, CSAs, housing co-ops, community land trusts, and co-op or solidarity economy organizations.)
- Mission-alignment (Gift meets CEANYC’s mission to serve low-income communities and advance racial justice)
Any eligible group can apply at any time in the calendar year by filling out this short form.
Black Conference
$1200 for the Falconworks Theatre Company’s production centered around Jessica Gordon-Nembhard’s Book “Collective Courage.”
The People’s Garden
$2500 to support immigration and housing justice organizing in Bushwick.
Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition
$1500 towards economic democracy training for Bronx residents.
Cooperative Leadership Intensive
$7,900 towards participation in our CLI for 8 women in NYC’s solidarity economy.
Brooklyn Packers
$3000 to hire a staff person to subsidize low income CSA work in Central Brooklyn.
224 Lefferts Avenue HDFC
$4000 to cover the costs of essential repairs in their home.
Third Root Community Health Center
$4000 for staff support, and facilitation.
Woke Foods
$2500 to cover the costs of project management and growth of staff
Lefferts Community Food Coop
$2500 to expand inventory and store hours, and cover the cost of insurance.
Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens (LUNGS)
$2500 towards youth programing for garden organizers on the Lower East Side.
BK Rot
$2500 towards an electronic cargo trike.
Central Brooklyn Food Cooperative
$4600 towards their first member orientation and Grub Party and matching funds for a 2019 crowdfunding campaign.
A Bookkeeping Cooperative
$2000 towards conflict resolution training.
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