banner of sprounts

Startup Resources

For more information, please visit our Resources page.

Cooperatives in Wisconsin: the Power of Cooperative Action. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2019.

Cooperatives in Wisconsin Quick Guides:

Cooperative Equity and Ownership: An Introduction. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2013.

Vital Steps: A Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide. USDA Service Report 58, 2016.

How to Start a Cooperative. USDA Cooperative Information Report 7, 2015.

Co-op 101: A Guide to Starting a Cooperative. Cooperative Development Institute.

In Good Company: A Guide to Cooperative Employee Ownership. Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, 2006.

Feasibility Study Outline. Iowa State University Extension, 2009.

How to Hold Effective Meetings. Northwest Cooperative Development Center, 2006.

Stock v. Non-stock Cooperatives in Wisconsin. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2015.

For more information, please visit our Worker Co-op Resources page.

Startup Resources for Worker Cooperatives. Democracy at Work Institute/US Federation of Worker Cooperatives Website.

In Good Company: The Guide to Cooperative Employee Ownership. Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, 2006.

A Training Manual for Starting Worker-Owned Cooperatives. The Wages Curriculum to Assess Feasibility & Develop Group Cohesion, 1996.

For more information, please visit our Housing Co-op Resources page.

Housing Cooperatives Quick Guide. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2021

Development Manual for Small Rural Home Cooperatives. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2005.

Cooperative Housing Toolbox: A Practical Guide for Cooperative Success. Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, 2003.

Cooperative Housing Toolbox: A Guide for Successful Community Development. Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, 2004.

Legal Manual for Small Rural Home Cooperatives. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2005.

For more information, please visit our Food Co-op Resources page.

Cooperative Food Enterprises Quick Guide. UW Center for Cooperatives, 2021.

Food Co-op Initiative Website. Check out their guide to getting started, capital campaign workbook, legal primer and more.

Food Co-op Feasibility. Food Co-op Initiative, 2010.

Legal Primer: For Formation of Consumer-Owned Food Cooperatives. Food Co-op Initiative, 2008.

The Member Equity Toolbox: A Guide for Retail Food Co-ops. Food Co-op Initiative, 2010.

Member Loan Campaign Toolbox: A Guide for Retail Food Co-op. Food Co-op Initiative, 2009.

Keys to Success for Food Co-op Start Ups in Rural Areas: Four Case Studies. USDA Research Report 208, 2005.

For more information, please visit our Purchasing Co-op Resources page.

A Guide for the Development of Purchasing Cooperatives. USDA Cooperative Information Report 64, 2009.