We're building on years of research and hands-on experience to help communities overcome accelerating economic and social crises through worker ownership.
We prioritize increasing access to cooperative small business ownership for workers locked out of good jobs and ownership opportunities, especially BIPOC, immigrant, and low-wage workers, who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 economic fallout. With the urgency, strategic focus, and ambition demanded by our economic and social crises, Ownership Now for Equitable Recovery is informed by three imperatives:
Unlocking ownership transition capital.
The need to save businesses and the jobs they support is a top priority of local economies. Transferring ownership of businesses to employees is a proven business preservation tactic, but access to capital remains an obstacle for business sellers and employees in pursuit of shared ownership. DAWI’s capital focus aims to unlock the promise of business ownership for workers. This work is highlighted by the incubation of Apis & Heritage Capital, building models for ownership transition funding, and transferring ownership to BIPOC workers.
Innovation for better livelihoods.
BIPOC and women workers have been disproportionately affected by the loss of 20 million U.S. jobs in 2020. DAWI is developing rapid response cooperative models that deliver quality jobs to workers in need through leading-edge business development tactics and strategic partnerships. This includes innovative employment solutions for contingent workers, developing small business cooperatives, and securing dignified work for the growing thousands of workers locked out of good jobs.
Helping allies succeed.
Strong businesses and expanded ownership opportunities at scale can’t be achieved in a silo. Through new approaches to education, policy, partnerships, and research, DAWI is committed to ensuring our work is in service to allies working to achieve an equitable economic recovery. The first program to be announced under this focus is Data Together, which applies cooperative principles to research and data analysis.
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