Priority Criteria

The financial assistance provided by the Cooperative Fund is intended primarily to benefit co-ops of greatest need. Priority among eligible organizations is therefore accorded to low-income co-ops and others with special problems of access to needed financial resources. Low-income status is defined by the Fund to include organizations meeting any of the following standards:

• the co-op serves an economically disadvantaged community and this community is reflected in its membership and patronage;
• more than half of co-op members are low income persons; or
• the co-op has, through unusual and unavoidable circumstances, suffered a significant economic adversity that exceeds the ability of the organization and its members to rectify.

Low-income co-ops and non-profits are provided a number of benefits and prerogatives by the Fund in addition to being given priority over other applicants for available funds. For example, their application fee might be reduced and they receive the lowest practicable interest rates on their loans. As the resources of the Fund permit, they may also be provided technical assistance services on a low-fee or gratis basis.