Co-operatives First

Co-operatives First Co-operatives First provides start-up resources and education to help people start co-ops in western Canada

Co-operatives First is a non-profit organization funded by Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Co-operative Retailing System. Founded in 2015, the organization provides co-op start-up resources, such as feasibility studies, business plans, and
incorporation support to rural and Indigenous co-op entrepreneurs across western Canada. Our goal is to help leaders in these communities build new businesses, grow local economies, and support community development.

Kyle's been at the Rural Innovation Festival and Forum in Estevan, Sask this week! Hosted by the Southeast Tech Hub, the...
05/29/2026

Kyle's been at the Rural Innovation Festival and Forum in Estevan, Sask this week! Hosted by the Southeast Tech Hub, the event is focused on how technology, academia, and arts contribute to rural success.

Candice is taking part in the Catalyst: Community Finance Summit this week in Winnipeg, connecting with community financ...
05/28/2026

Candice is taking part in the Catalyst: Community Finance Summit this week in Winnipeg, connecting with community finance organizations, investors, community connectors to discuss the community finance sector.

What do YOU want to know about co-ops? Let us know in the comments!
05/27/2026

What do YOU want to know about co-ops? Let us know in the comments!

05/25/2026

Co-ops are owned by a group of members who each get one vote when it comes to making key decisions. Here's why that structure is important.

There are infinte ways co-ops can be used to make things better for people — and this includes end-of-life planning and ...
05/22/2026

There are infinte ways co-ops can be used to make things better for people — and this includes end-of-life planning and care. Here's how one co-op in Alberta has been making funeral preparation easier for its members and their families since 1966.

Learn more about this compassionate approach: https://bit.ly/4a0oUt2

Missed our webinar? Watch it now! Learn five key ways your co-op's board can build better processes, plan for the future...
05/21/2026

Missed our webinar? Watch it now! Learn five key ways your co-op's board can build better processes, plan for the future, and ensure it's meeting the needs of its members.

Watch here: https://bit.ly/3PDUfej

The International Centre for Co‑operative Management’s () symposium on ‘Co‑op Identity and Energizing the Co‑op Brand’ w...
05/19/2026

The International Centre for Co‑operative Management’s () symposium on ‘Co‑op Identity and Energizing the Co‑op Brand’ will gather leaders from around the globe to share insights and practices on co-op marketing, grow the network, and inspire co-op collective action.

The symposium takes place May 19–May 21, 2026. The event will tackle brand image and its intersections with marketing, communications, and culture. 40+ speakers from 11 countries!

Themes include:
✅Assessing authenticity
✅Effective branding
✅Co-operative identity, positioning, and messaging
✅Marketing the co-operative advantage
✅Communicating identity internally vs externally
✅Resonating in the contemporary digital landscape

Organized in collaboration with sponsors DotCooperation () and Northwest Cooperative Development Centre () and supported by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada.

Register at www.identitysymposium2026.coop

05/15/2026

What is a co-op member? Someone who co-owns the business, has voting rights, and wants something the co-op provides.

Kevin was connecting with folks in Edmonton this week at the Housing Forward: Prairies Affordable Housing Summit, the fi...
05/14/2026

Kevin was connecting with folks in Edmonton this week at the Housing Forward: Prairies Affordable Housing Summit, the first event of its kind. He met up with Jillian Ames, a leader from the innovative Rooted Community Housing Co-op.

Welcome to our new summer student, Dori Sutherland!Originally from Calgary, Dori studies at the University of Saskatchew...
05/14/2026

Welcome to our new summer student, Dori Sutherland!

Originally from Calgary, Dori studies at the University of Saskatchewan. She just finished her third year of Regional and Urban Planning, and is a dedicated student athlete, competing as a midfielder for the Huskie Women’s Soccer team.

Outside of school, playing soccer, and working, she volunteers as a youth soccer coach and as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She enjoys reading, camping, and hiking, and is getting into doing yoga 🧘

Dori will be the host of this year's Backroad Diaries series, traveling to co-ops in Western Canada to tell their stories. We're glad to have her aboard!

Address

4/1810 8th Street East
Saskatoon, SK
S7H0T6

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

306-382-4410

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Co-operatives First posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Co-operatives First:

Shortcuts

Share

Category