Start 2026 by building a cooperative that lasts.
Applications are now open for the Spring 2026 Cooperative Business Incubator, supported by Shared Capital Cooperative and facilitated with Start.coop.
Effective management unlocks talent and distributes leadership, increases job satisfaction, and cultivates collaboration in the workplace. The School for Democratic Management gives you tools you can use right away to build the culture that your company needs. Democratic management is committed to high levels of participation - not as an option, but as an imperative.
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The Accounting and Business Consulting (ABC) Program, established by the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, offers Seattle-based small businesses and entrepreneurs free consultations with Technical Assistance (TA) Providers also known as ABC Consultants, including Growing Contigo.
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Si usted está llevando a cabo (o soñando con) un proyecto que mantenga los materiales en uso, genere una economía comunitaria o ayude a vecinos a compartir recursos, este programa podría ser una excelente oportunidad. ¡La solicitud se abre el 14 de enero!
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A pilot program that offers skills, tools, guidance, and early funding to support projects focused on repair, reuse, composting, and keeping materials in use in King County. The program is designed to make it easier for more people to access and participate in what’s known as the circular economy. Applications open January 14!
Read MoreA five-month training cohort for groups working to establish Solidarity Economy ecosystems in their local regions. The goal is for groups to connect movement theory, values, and skills to their own regional contexts, with the ultimate aim of establishing functioning Solidarity Economy ecosystems that meet community needs.
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In our new briefing, Transform Finance outlines various stages that investors may find themselves in exploring the space: understanding the landscape of EO funds, identifying the investment approaches of different funds, and comparing and evaluating the potential impact of funds. We provide recommendations for these stages as well as overall considerations to maximize impact and build the field. At the core of our recommendations is an analysis of 53 funds that finance EO in the United States and Canada, made across investment approaches, target financial returns, size, geographic focus and impact.
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The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched the first of five planned small business loan and investment programs aimed at increasing access to capital for small businesses in Washington state, particularly those that have been historically underserved or underbanked.
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In this second part of the Commercial Affordability Summit recap, read about other current programs and models of commercial affordability and access to capital and support for small business and entrepreneurs: from those led by the City of Seattle such as Restored; to some of the most community rooted examples of commercial affordability projects.
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With the Commercial Affordability Summit convening, COO sought to share what we learned from the pilot project, which concluded in 2022, and provide a platform for learning about additional strategies, models and programs that are currently being designed and implemented in support of an equitable and thriving small businesses environment and greater economic justice.
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Through this program, New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN), and its partners will deliver meticulously crafted capacity building courses and tailored hands-on technical assistance to fortify partnerships. These offerings are rooted in the understanding that creating enduring partnerships between economic development organizations and community-based organizations are essential to achieving lasting, equitable, and inclusive economic development strategies and funding coalitions.
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Communities of Opportunity (COO) and Grow America (formerly National Development Council) hosted this 3 session Asset Management Training series for community-based organizations or individuals that own real estate, are developing a space to own, or considering ownership in the future.
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The Business Community Ownership (BCO) Fund is a new investment model that addresses the rising cost of commercial rent in Seattle, which often affects neighborhoods and businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ people. These communities continue to have less access to capital due to systemic inequities, racism, and related barriers.
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What is the Rethinking Econ101 course? It's a 10-session long online course starting in September, which will:
Guide you through the intellectual foundations of mainstream economics
Expose the myths that mainstream economics espouses
Introduce new approaches to understanding the economy
Equip you with the tools to take action at your school and join the campaign to rethink economics
Through hands-on experiential learning and 1:1 networking opportunities, participants in the program gain industry-level training and employment via a 3-month paid internship. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Rolling! Students may apply at any time.
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2021 Community Development Lunch & Learns series’ recordings are now viewable. These alternating deep dives on specific topics and issues of equitable community development, offered opportunities for participants to ask questions and discuss their projects with peers and community development experts.
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In this first session, participants explore community-based strategies to build an equitable and regenerative economy, using the Just Transition framework.
In this second workshop, the focus is on the need to create and build new economic structures rooted in the experiences of our community.
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