Co-operatives First

10/20/2026

The type of co-op you create depends on who its members are, and what they want to accomplish.

Want more details? Sign up for the Introduction to Co-ops course! Enter before November 16th for a chance to win a Co-op Gift card.

Click here (and scroll down) to sign up: https://cooperativesfirst.com/team-up-on-a-start-up-contest/

10/19/2026

If you haven't visited our website in awhile, now is a great time to stop by! Check out our new, user-friendly design to learn what a co-op is, and how we can help you start one: https://cooperativesfirst.com/

We help leaders — like you — start co-operatives

10/16/2026

Co-ops have a big impact! According to a new Canada Co-operative Business Association report, Canada's 6,173 co-ops contribute over $61 billion to the Canada's GDP and support 745,000 jobs.

Read more about what co-ops contribute to Canada's economy, and why we need more of them: https://bit.ly/4BfLaeM

10/16/2026

Want to start a co-op in BC? Kyle has figured out all the technical stuff so you don't have to!

Check out our latest webinar to be well on your way to incorporating your co-operative: https://bit.ly/4B5NkgM

10/15/2026

Want to start a co-op? Enter our Team Up on a Start-up contest! Send us your pitch by November 16th for the chance to win $15,000 in co-op start-up support which includes:
✅ Helping your team clarify your idea
✅ Creation of incorporation documents
✅ Business coaching

Send us your co-op pitch: https://cooperativesfirst.com/team-up-on-a-start-up-contest/

10/14/2026

Not sure if a co-op is the right fit for your business idea or initiative? Find out by taking the Entrepreneurs pathway of our Introduction to Co-ops course.

You'll learn:
☑️ The basics of the co-op model
☑️ Who your co-op’s members should be
☑️ How to incorporate a co-operative
☑️ The elements of your co-op’s business plan..and more!

Sign up before November 16th for the chance to win a Co-op gift card: https://cooperativesfirst.com/certified-co-op-entrepreneur/

10/13/2026

Happy Co-op Week! To celebrate, we're launching our annual Team Up on a Start-up contest.

If you have an idea for a co-op you'd like to start, now's the time to tell us about it! Send us your pitch, and you could win our full suite of business start-up supports: incorporation, governance support, business coaching — the works.

Get your pitch ready and send it to us by November 16th: https://bit.ly/48jyIN2

ENTER TO WIN! Considering Teaming Up on a Start-Up? Nice! Collaborating with like-minded partners is a great way to grow your own business or provide a

10/09/2026

This year's Fuel Good Day was the most successful yet! Congrats to Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Co-operative Retailing System for raising over $875,000 for causes across Western Canada.

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is a wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing and administrative co-operative in Western Canada involved in the agriculture, energy, food, and home and building industries.

10/09/2026

Does your community have limited public transportation options? Or maybe people are looking for an affordable or eco-friendly way to travel?

A carshare co-op may be a good solution. But what is it? Sign up for our webinar to learn more!

Sign up: https://bit.ly/47KqC0c

10/08/2026

Audra and Trista had a great time at Cando's 32nd Annual National Conference, along with our partner from Interior Indigenous Community Futures, George Casimir, and Cando's Communications Director, Paul Macedo!