Wednesday, March 15 is the deadline to submit an application for a Bowers Fund Food Co-op Grant. Administered by the Cooperative Development Foundation, the Bowers Fund strengthens the food co-op community by offering grants for the training and education of food co-op staff, managers and board members.
Cooperatives, cooperative development organizations, cooperative-related groups and groups forming a cooperativeâas well as individual members, staff and board members of cooperativesâare eligible to apply.
Bowers Fund Food Co-op Grants are made possible through the Bowers Fund, named after Howard Bowers, who dedicated his life to the consumer cooperative movement. In his five-decade career, he worked for cooperatives across the Midwest, mentored hundreds of food cooperators, and was in large part responsible for reviving the Consumer Cooperative Management Association.
Since its establishment in 1994, the Bowers Fund has made over $390,000 in grants to support the food co-op sector. While contributions are raised through events at the Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) Conference and other fundraising events, anyone can contribute at any time.
The Cooperative Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation headquartered in Washington, DC. CDF’s mission is to promote community, economic and social development through cooperative enterprises.