Cooperate WNC Organizational Membership
Background
Cooperate WNC is a regional mutual aid initiative and 501c3 organization spanning 22 counties of western North Carolina. It utilizes cooperative economics and grassroots organizing strategies with the goal of creating a just and regenerative future for our region, while meeting our short-term needs through mutual aid.
The WNC Purchasing Alliance is a cooperative bulk purchasing initiative emerging from, and closely tied to, Cooperate WNC’s regional mutual aid network.
There are currently 2 membership options for local businesses and organizations:
Cooperate WNC Organizational Membership
Cooperate WNC Organizational Membership with Purchasing Alliance Membership
Benefits and Purpose
Membership is the fundamental structure of the participatory network we are developing. Members commit to deeper ownership of the process of growing a mutual aid culture and refining its practices. Members receive support for the process from Cooperate WNC’s staff and from one another. They also offer up their own strengths to help others, participate in governance decisions, and innovate together as new challenges and opportunities emerge. This work is made possible by utilizing our existing networks of long-term, trusting relationships and by developing new relationships over time.
Fundamentally, we believe that we are more powerful and impactful when we cooperate and work together towards shared goals. Part of Cooperate WNC’s strategic approach includes helping to grow a network of multi-functional, grassroots-led community centers throughout WNC that support basic human needs, ecological resilience, and diverse cooperative enterprises.
The Purchasing Alliance specializes in purchasing and distributing sustainable and regenerative products that save money for network members and related communities, while supporting value-aligned producers, including ecologically innovative, locally and/or cooperatively-owned, Black and Brown-owned, and/or women-owned businesses. The Purchasing Alliance is a North Carolina LLC operated by Cooperate WNC.
Cost
All memberships are offered on a sliding scale based on your organization’s income.
Interested in joining? Fill out this quick questionnaire!