An incomplete and evolving list of resources:
Slow Money and other alternative financing models
- National Slow Money Website: http://www.slowmoney.org/
- Slow Money Northwest: http://www.slowmoneynw.org/
- Slow Money Northern California (excellent folks spearheading a lot of innovation): http://slowmoneynocal.org/
- Slow Money North Carolina (a group that is focusing on small-scale bottom-up solutions with a very successful loan program): http://slowmoneync.org/
- Some thoughts on slow money investing: https://slowmoneynortherncalifornia.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/slow-money-investing/
- Local Investing Opportunities Network – LION (a community group based in Port Townsend, WA that has implemented numerous local investment projects): http://www.l2020.org/index.php?page=investing-opportunities
- Springboard Innovations (a Portland based non-profit with a mission to nurture community led change): http://www.springboardinnovation.org/
- HATCH – a project of Springboard Innovation (a social entrepreneurship incubator): http://www.hatchthefuture.org/
- LION PDX -- A Portland based Local Investment Opportunities Network: http://www.lionpdx.com
- Natural Investments LLC (a very innovative financial advisory firm): http://naturalinvesting.com/. The local contact is a fantastic and very knowledgeable woman named Malaika Maphalala who can be reached at 503-915-0090.
- One PacificCoast Bank (a community development financial institution that recently opened a branch in Portland): http://www.onepacificcoastbank.com Read more about the bank and its founders here: http://naturalinvesting.com/blog/2012/01/from-grass-fed-beef-to-beneficial-banking/#more-503
- RSF Social Finance (an innovative non-profit financial services organization): http://rsfsocialfinance.org/
- Harvesting Investment Dollars from the 99% -- an absolutely excellent webinar by Michael Shuman (recommended): http://ngfn.org/resources/ngfn-cluster-calls/harvesting-investment-dollars-from-the-99
Cooperatives
- A brief introduction to Agricultural Co-ops (OSU EM 8665): http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/em8665.pdf
- USDA Cooperative Assistance Programs (Oregon Office): http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ORbcp_coop.html
- USDA Reference Library on Cooperatives (fantastic resource): http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/NEWPUB.htm
- USDA Rural Cooperatives Magazine (free): http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/openmag.htm
- Northwest Cooperative Development Center (a regional non-profit focusing on co-ops): http://www.nwcdc.coop/
- Two interesting multi-stakeholder cooperatives (links take you to their articles of incorporation and bylaws): https://coop.sandhillsfarm2table.com/about_us/downloads.php & http://fifthseason.coop/membership/
- University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (excellent website on all co-op topics with good staff papers on cutting-edge topics and a great newsletter): http://www.uwcc.w.eduisc/ & http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/pubs/Publications/Bulletins/
- National Cooperative Business Association (a co-op trade group): http://www.ncba.coop/ncba/home
- UN International Year of Co-ops: http://social.un.org/coopsyear/
- Stronger Together – A consumer website developed by the National Cooperative Grocers Association: http://strongertogether.coop/
- Lights, Cameras, Co-ops (An ongoing video series of co-op stories from around the country): http://strongertogether.coop/voices-from-the-field/lights-cameras-co-ops/
- Taxation of Co-operatives and their Patrons (a very technical legal examination of co-op taxation): contact us for a copy
- CDS Consulting co-op (a group dedicated to helping new food co-ops): http://www.cdsconsulting.coop/home
- Current Issues in Cooperative Finance and Government (205 page study by James Baarda): http://uwcc.wisc.edu/info/governance/baard.pdf
