A VOICE FOR COOPERATIVE BUSINESS

Membership

When your co-op joins NCBA CLUSA, you strengthen the national voice for cooperatives and connect to the people, policy insights and learning opportunities that help your organization and the broader cooperative ecosystem thrive.

Joining NCBA CLUSA as a member is one of the best ways your co-op can help advance the cooperative movement as it directly supports our work to develop, advance and protect cooperative enterprise in the U.S. Membership and active engagement with NCBA CLUSA sharpens our advocacy, public awareness, thought leadership and development work in ways that benefit cooperatives and the communities they serve.

Be part of the only cross-sector cooperative network elevating the national conversation around a trusted, proven way to do business and build communities. See our current members.

Become a Member

Membership Dues

Contact Our Membership Team

What Does a National Cooperative Association Offer Its Members?

A national cooperative association offers its members advocacy, resources and networking opportunities. These organizations act as a collective voice for the cooperative business model at a national level, influencing policy decisions and ensuring that lawmakers and the public recognize co-ops.

NCBA CLUSA takes pride in representing all types of cooperatives across multiple sectors, including agriculture, financial services, education, housing and more. Our focus is not just on a single type of co-op but on advancing the entire model. We work to build a more inclusive economy that empowers the notion of shared prosperity and well-being for today and tomorrow.

How Does Membership Help My Cooperative Grow?

National cooperative association membership helps your co-op grow by offering:

Advocacy and representation: Every new member strengthens the national voice for cooperatives, leading to more representation and alignment with global co-op networks.
Networking and learning: Members connect with other cooperatives and participate in growth-focused learning opportunities through webinars and member directories.
Visibility and outreach: A cooperative’s visibility can be increased with NCBA CLUSA through spotlights, shared campaigns and national events.

Expanded reach, new partners and shared strategic insights are just some of the growth opportunities available with membership.

“As members of NCBA, we’re committed to finding authentic ways we can begin contributing to the greater cooperative movement.”

– Leari, Worker-Partner

BMore Transform

“Working together to advocate for the cooperative business model has always been in our DNA, and we appreciate the work NCBA does on our behalf to strengthen all cooperatives.”

– Bob Sahr, CEO and General Manager

East River Electric Power Cooperative

“Credit unions don’t exist in isolation. By joining NCBA, we’re aligning with the broader cooperative movement to elevate our impact and better represent our members at the national level.”

– Tobi Weingart, Senior Vice President of Member and Industry Engagement

The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates

“There couldn’t be a more important time for co-ops in our world, and we need organizations like NCBA to help us preserve and grow.”

– Amber Sallaberry, General Manager

Great Basin Community Food Co-op

“With the support and guidance of NCBA, we’re able to cultivate spaces where collaboration, shared leadership, and mutual success aren’t just values—they’re lived experiences.”

– Karyn Zwieg, Director of Housing

Riverton Community Housing

“Membership with NCBA CLUSA connects us to a dynamic cooperative ecosystem. It strengthens our operations, elevates our voice on critical issues, and supports the broader movement toward shared prosperity and community-centered business.”

– Wafaa Berrady, CFO

CARE Pharmacies

Membership Benefits and Engagement Opportunities

From volunteer opportunities to advocacy, here are some of the ways you can plug into membership with NCBA CLUSA.

Cross-Sector Networking and Cooperative Collaboration

Volunteer Councils

Expand your cooperative network, participate in cross-sector learning and contribute to NCBA CLUSA’s P6, cooperative development and marketing initiatives that support the entire cooperative community by joining one of our volunteer councils. These advisory groups are great networking and professional development opportunities, particularly for those interested in cross-sector collaboration and learning.

Interested? Let us know!

Member Spotlight Series

Share your co-op’s story and connect with thousands of cooperators across the country through our Member Spotlight Series. Every Monday, we share a new member spotlight across our social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram). Each week’s spotlight is also included in our Co-op Weekly newsletter.

Ready for the spotlight? Reach out!

Advocacy

Policymakers’ Guide

Every year, NCBA CLUSA releases a policymakers’ guide with recommendations for Congress and critical information for cooperators reaching out to their Congressional representatives. The 2026 edition outlines how policymakers can promote access, agility and affordability by supporting cooperatives. We’ve expanded this year’s guide to include impact snapshots of six co-op sectors: consumer, credit unions, electric and utilities, farmer and independent small business, housing and worker.

Download the 2026 Policymakers’ Guide

For a deeper dive into our advocacy work, take a look at our advocacy page

Education and Thought Leadership

As a cross-sector association representing all types of co-ops in many different industries, Principle 6, or “cooperation among cooperatives,” is at the heart of our programming. We understand that the day-to-day work of running a co-op and showing up for our communities is demanding (and rewarding!) work, often keeping us siloed in our own sectors. That’s why NCBA CLUSA offers a unique learning environment where cooperators across sectors, industries and geographies can learn from each other, share best practices and thrive together.

Check out our webinar archive on YouTube

Co-op Weekly

Our weekly newsletter keeps you up-to-date on the latest co-op news, events and features. It’s also an opportunity to reach an audience of thousands of cooperators with your press release or event promotion. Send us an email at [email protected] to share your news.

Subscribe to Co-op Weekly

Cooperative IMPACT Conference

Drawing 400+ co-op developers, financiers, community and city leaders, innovators, thought leaders, economists, policymakers and development practitioners, NCBA CLUSA’s IMPACT Conference is the only national, cross-sector cooperative event elevating the conversation around a trusted, proven way to do business and build communities. Our premier engagement event provides a pivotal opportunity to learn, exchange best practices and network with national and global co-op leaders.

Become a member and save $275 on IMPACT registration

Co-op Impact Report

Designed to empower and advance cooperatives like yours, the Co-op Impact Report collects compelling impact data and powerful stories from close to 100 cross-sector co-ops in the U.S., illustrating how the cooperative business model is building stronger businesses, communities and local economies.

Download the report

Learning Hub

NCBA CLUSA has developed a suite of innovative, customizable educational tools designed to meet learners wherever they are—from co-op curious entrepreneurs exploring shared ownership to seasoned cooperative developers who need a platform to launch their ideas.

Explore the new Learning Hub

What Makes NCBA CLUSA Different From Other Associations?

Unlike single sector-specific associations, NCBA CLUSA unifies a range of cooperative types. We are the only cross-sector cooperative network advocating for the national conversation on this subject. Our approach cultivates new schools of thought and innovative solutions that aren’t limited by traditional boundaries. With broader perspectives, your co-op can draw on a deep well of collective wisdom.

Members will also gain access to a wealth of educational programs. These programs include best practice insights, training and strategy guidance, as part of our mission to strengthen the voice for cooperative businesses.

Why Should I Join?

You should join because we are collectively developing and advancing cooperative enterprise. Every membership is another step forward in our mission to advocate for policies that benefit your cooperative and the wider movement nationwide. Joining NCBA CLUSA gives you the collective expertise of multiple industries, with the added unity of a shared vision for mutually beneficial equity.

Your team can also access an extensive library of information and tools via our Learning Hub, and discover new marketing approaches that aren’t currently being used in your sector.

What Will My Organization Gain?

Your organization will immediately become part of a growing community. Within this membership community, you’ll have access to:

An expanded business network that provides you with new perspectives outside of industry-specific mindsets.
Educational resources tailored to your specific goals and requirements.
A level playing field to develop and grow with collaborators from all walks of life.
Insights on how to overcome economic and societal business barriers.
Strategic and practical expansion knowledge for your cooperative.
Support and opportunities through specialized volunteer councils to overcome operational challenges.
Partnerships in advocacy and public awareness.

As a member, you help the entire cooperative ecosystem. Your business can learn from the experiences of other sectors, and vice versa.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

THREE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH NCBA CLUSA

Individual Member

Be part of the only cross-sector cooperative network elevating the national conversation around a trusted, proven way to do business and build communities.

Cooperative Member

Demonstrate your investment in the broader cooperative movement and contribute to its impact by joining as an organization.

Associate Member

Reach a new audience of cooperative organizations looking for the critical business services and educational resources you provide.

Become a Member Today

Your Cooperative Identity

First impressions matter and the letters after the dot in your web address tell the world more about your business than anything else online.

A .coop domain says that you are a Cooperative, and not just another dotcom. That you put people first. That you are ethical and fair. That you’re great to do business with. That you’re part of a global movement of more than 3 million Cooperatives worldwide with 1 billion members, representing 12% of the world’s employed population. All Cooperatives verify their identity when selecting a .coop web address.

Get your .coop domain today!