DAWI launches the 2024 Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort

DAWI and the Chicago Community Wealth Building Ecosystem co-launch the Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort. Chicago, US – March 11, 2024 – DAWI is proud to announce the launch of the 2024 Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the local cooperative ecosystem and fostering community wealth-building in Chicago communities. In collaboration with the Chicago Community Wealth Building Initiative at the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC), the program seeks to empower organizations actively engaged in developing worker cooperatives that serve BIPOC and low-income communities. The Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort is a 12-month training program…

more

Celebrate Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Day with DAWI!

The Democracy at Work Institute is Proud to Support America’s SBDC and the 8th Annual #SBDCDay this March 20th As small business owners navigate an ever-changing landscape, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) continue to support and elevate their clients through innovative at-cost training programs and free advising strategies. Nearly 1,000 SBDCs can be found across the United States and its territories, serving clients virtually and from their centers in host institutions like…

more

DAWI Promotes Julian McKinley to Co-Executive Director, Melissa Hoover to Lead Special Projects

Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI), the national think and do tank dedicated to expanding the worker ownership model, is pleased to announce the promotion of Julian S. McKinley to the role of Co-Executive Director for Partnerships and Growth. Julian assumes this position alongside Vanessa Bransburg, who was promoted to Co-Executive Director for Operations and Programs in September 2022. DAWI's board of directors unanimously voted to promote Julian nearly five years after he joined DAWI as its first communications director. Julian will now oversee DAWI’s organizational growth, strategic partnerships, and communications. Together, the co-executive directors assume leadership at DAWI as the…

more

Effective Practises

The Institute publishes monthly a piece from a cooperative developer exploring a question, model or challenge in developing worker cooperatives. This is our first step towards creating a compendium of “effective practices” in worker cooperative development.  We aim to foster spirited and collegial, critical and respectful, conversation on how best to develop cooperatives that work for workers and their communities over the long term. Our aim is to address the deeper issues both animating and challenging worker cooperative development right now.

Research

Our research program seeks to identify favorable conditions and likely strategies for the development of a large-scale worker cooperative economy.

Publications

The Democracy at Work Institute publishing program was created to develop practical resources, conduct research, and promote the thinking of cooperative developers and worker-owners. We will develop tools and resources to promote best practices for worker cooperatives, developers, and those interested in worker cooperatives as a tool for economic and community development. Our foundational research program will cover everything from a census of the number and type of worker cooperatives and cooperative development efforts, to research on access to capital for worker cooperatives.

Tools for Worker Cooperatives

Starting a Worker Cooperative?

With the growing number of start-up worker cooperatives, we have pulled together helpful resources, information, and tools to support your business development

More information for start-ups

For Existing Worker Cooperatives

Looking for resources to support your existing cooperative? The Institute is bringing together resources - research, information, referrals, and more - to help your worker-owned business thrive.