Where we've been
CoMinnesota started in late 2011 in response to a question, “Why in the state of Minnesota, which has the most cooperatives of any state, isn’t there more cross-sector collaboration and promotion of the cooperatives?" Since then a fluid network of cooperative volunteers has responded to this challenge by gathering cooperators at special events, brown bag topic lunches and happy hours. In 2024, CoNorth (formerly Northcountry Cooperative Foundation), a non-profit cooperative development center located in St. Paul, has undertaken stewardship of CoMinnesota and aims to grow its reach in our state.
Why co-ops? Because co-ops...
- Are economically resilient
- Keep wealth in the community
- Prioritize local control
- Advance equity and access
- Support sustainable development
Power of cooperating
Today, cooperatives have more potential than ever to help solve the various ecological, economic, and racial crises facing our society. There is significant opportunity for CoMinnesota to amplify and focus the the incredible efforts happening in the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota. With an influx of cooperative funding, increase in demand for cooperative start-up technical assistance, and interest from local government, there is a need to coordinate across sectors, across organizations, and across the state to increase the potential for cooperation at every level. The new economy needs to include all of us and cooperatives will give a voice and a financial return that benefits the people.
Where we're heading next
CoMinnesota key strategic goals focus on raising broad awareness of cooperatives, connecting across co-op sectors, communicating the co-op value, and launching CoMinnesota as a central hub for cooperation for the state of Minnesota. Over the next two years, are working to build connectivity as a hub by launching a Minnesota Cooperative Directory which will list all Minnesota co-ops and co-op support organizations and publishing an economic and social impact report of cooperatives to better articulate the cooperative value.
We are seeking your input along with a guiding steering committee, to shape this cooperative hub. We are seeking for all voices to be included and represented, across co-op sectors and support organizations, across Minnesota, and across backgrounds. Join us!
Contact us:
- Email: info@cominnesota.coop
- Social Media: LinkedIn and Facebook
CoMinnesota is a program managed by CoNorth, formerly Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
CoMinnesota's work is supported in part by the McKnight Foundation and the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; carried out in partnership with the Cooperative Development Foundation.