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As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization affiliated
with NCDF, NCF supports cooperative projects through training,
research, education, and development assistancein housing,
business, and more. Since
its inception in 2000, Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
has assisted low-income, low-wealth, and other underserved
communities to create and develop community-owned, democratically-governed
enterprises. In this way, NCF addresses some of the underlying
reasons for poverty and blight such as feelings of powerlessness
or a lack of resources. Cooperative ownership leads to empowerment,
self-sufficiency, social responsibility, professional development,
and economic stability for individuals, families, and entire
neighborhoods.
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NCF Announces Appointment of Warren Kramer to the post of Executive Director |
Minneapolis, MN. June 24th, 2009.
Northcountry Cooperative Foundation announces the appointment of Warren Kramer as Executive Director. Kramer will focus on strategic program development and direction, budgeting and partnerships with others in the upper Midwest in support of the cooperative development and training activities of the organization. This change in leadership is designed to build upon NCF’s leading position in the cooperative sector. NCF has been raising awareness and visibility of the cooperative model’s potential to bring efficient solutions through its manufactured home park conversion program. “We are very happy to have Warren assume this responsibility. His experience and knowledge in affordable housing development and finance coupled with his experience in the cooperative business model will continue to prove to be an appreciated asset of this organization,” said Joelyn Malone, NCF Board President. “We will leverage Warren’s experience to help shape the future direction of the organization.” Kramer has almost 20 years of experience in public, for profit and non profit affordable housing development and finance, organizational development and capacity building, as well as a long history of volunteerism in community affairs. He has been with NCF as Director of Housing for the past 7 years. Northcountry Cooperative Foundation (NCF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created in 1999 by Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund (NCDF), a Minneapolis-based 30-year-old community development loan fund. NCF’s purpose is to provide training, technical assistance and development services to cooperatives. These initiatives include a variety of activities supporting such things as: affordable housing development, environmental stewardship, locally-based economic development, community self-help, and workplace democracy. NCF and NCDF share the mission of: “investing in economic democracy through cooperative enterprise.”
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NCF
provides financial and development assistance to housing
co-ops and their members. Cooperative housing allows
families to invest in and benefit from the place they
call home. Because each household owns a share in a
"cooperative corporation" that in turn owns the property,
all resident households-and only resident households-collectively
own and manage their property. Housing co-ops come in
many forms, such as limited equity, manufactured housing
co-op, or market rate co-op.
At
left: Sunrise Viila Co-op in Cannon Falls, MN. The first Manufactied Home Cooperative in Minnesota |
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NCF has teamed with Springboard for the Arts to provide low-interest loans from $1000 to $5000, at a rate of 1% above the prime rate, simple interest, to artists in the Twin Cities area. Loan terms are from 12 to 36 months. This is a community-based revolving loan program designed to meet a broad range of artists' needs and opportunities. For more information about the Artist Loan Fund (ALF) check out the Springboard web site. |
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Since
1997, TCI has supported local leadership development
in rural and urban communities, brought together hundreds
of co-op leaders to share their experiences, and encouraged
continued relationships among them.
At
left: Participants
in the Traveling Co-op Institute build relationships
between sessions. |
The Foundation researches
and develops new ways for co-ops to form, expand, and help
their communities. Studies have included market research,
worker ownership, adaptive reuse, and rural cooperatives. Browse our popular Toolboxes,
manuals, and research papers.
Other Projects
Northcountry Cooperative
Foundation is looking into ways to support other aspects of
cooperative development that empowers people to self-sufficiency,
such as worker-ownership. Stay tuned for updates on new initiatives!
In
accordance with federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the
basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital
status, age, or disability. Not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs.
To
file a discrimination complaint, write to the USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence
Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Copyright © Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
219 Main Street SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Office Phone: (612) 331-9103; fax: (612) 331-9145; general e-mail: info@ncdf.coop |
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