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How to Celebrate Co-op Month?

There are many ways, but the simplest and most impactful is to apply for a Co-op Grant or Scholarship

As we support one another, we grow our movement, expanding the cooperative identity, values, and principles more broadly. It is as a more inclusive way of doing business and a better way of living.

Though the Co-op Food Stores honors each cooperative principle, every October, in honor of Co-op Month, we focus specifically on the 6th Cooperative Principle: Cooperation among Cooperatives, & 7th Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community. Read on to learn more about these principles and how they might help fund a project that is important to you!

The International Co-operative Alliance has established 7 Cooperative Principles as guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. They are:

  1. Voluntary & Open Membership
  2. Democratic Member Control
  3. Member Economic Participation
  4. Autonomy & Independence
  5. Education, Training, & Information
  6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
  7. Concern for Community

Did you know that in addition to our round-up program Pennies for Change and other donations, we also have a fund, the Hanover Cooperative Community Fund (HCCF), that not only helps support non-profits locally, but also contributes to the largest co-op organization funder in the country—Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation (TPCF)?

For example, TPCF has invested $1 million in the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, helping 103 New Hampshire mobile home parks convert to resident-owned and resident-controlled communities. This work speaks to the 6th Cooperative Principle: Cooperation among Cooperatives.

Every year, the interest on our investment in TPCF is returned to the local community. In support of the 7th Principle: Concern for Community, we put those funds directly back into the Upper Valley through the HCCF. That is where you come in.

The HCCF funds Community Project Grants and the Gerstenberger Scholarship. The project grants are available to Upper Valley non-profits and the scholarship prioritizes Upper Valley residents. Now is the time to apply!

For a list of previous recipients and their projects as well as more information and applications, please visit: https://coopfoodstore.coop/HCCF. Applications are due Friday, October 29th.

For more information or questions, please email: aprilharkness@coopfoodstore.com.

For more information about the International Co-operative Alliance Cooperative identity, values & principles, please visit: https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity.

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April Harkness

April is the Co-op's ESG Program Manager. Contact April at aprilharkness at coopfoodstore dot com.