Our approach is rooted in our values
How We Work
The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) is the cooperative that represents all cooperatives. Our clients, the co-ops that operate nationwide, are our decision-makers, and we collaborate across industries and states to solve development challenges.
Our process facilitates self-directed change within the communities, governments and systems where we work. We empower people to articulate, promote and manage sustainable, locally-generated solutions. Our power lies in collaboration and connection.
Partner With Us See Our Impact
The Impact of International Cooperatives
Cooperatives at a national and international level offer profound effects on the communities they exist within. These organizations bring:
- Business sustainability: The co-op structure lends itself to a more stable entity when compared to the traditional business model, and this is largely because of the collective decision-making process. Every member of a cooperative has a chance to voice their opinions and can ensure the right decision is made for the community. Cash flow also comes from multiple sources, ensuring more financial stability.
- Improved access to products and services: Cooperatives have one core goal at the center of their work — access. Profit is not a priority. As a result, international cooperatives provide goods and services to communities that might not usually have access to them. Alternatively, these co-ops might focus on delivering products of a higher quality than other options. Then, all profit gets cycled back into the community.
- Membership accessibility: The nature of co-ops relies on community participation to support everyone. International cooperative initiatives have open membership, making it easy for any community member to join. With no maximum number of members, co-ops can continue growing with the community.
- Community building: Cooperatives exist to serve the communities that create them. While these organizations provide necessary products and services, the community as a whole becomes stronger and more resilient. Co-ops can also expand their reach by raising awareness of cooperatives and encouraging them in other communities.
Our Role in the International Cooperative Alliance
At NCBA CLUSA, we understand the true impact of cooperatives, and we want to expand their reach on a global scale. Our role in this alliance is to be the experts on cooperative impact and communicate the value to all who will listen. As the voice for cooperatives in the United States, we extend the reach of co-ops far beyond local communities. With our work, we:
- Connect with key players: NCBA CLUSA is committed to meeting with those who make change. We collaborate with government representatives to bring light to the value of co-ops and emphasize the conversation around them in government spaces. Our connection to these key players allows us to enact real change on a policy level.
- Represent policies: In addition to bringing awareness to policies through key government members, we also advocate for policies as an organization. We partner with federal agencies to highlight issues that impact co-ops nationwide, and we educate community members on the value of different policies to affect change at all levels.
- Share stories: The true impact of cooperatives is seen through personal stories in communities around the world. As experts in the cooperative space, we share our international projects to showcase the people and communities that feel the effects of co-op development.
- Raise awareness: Education is essential, and we raise awareness of cooperatives by sharing their mission. Our online presence provides a series of core resources to learn more about co-ops, and we interact with communities nationwide to bring knowledge to the people who need it most.
