The Fund for Jobs Worth Owning envisions a future where workers lead and own democratic workplaces and shape political and economic systems. This new economy will support racial and gender equity, foster respect and inclusion, and create real opportunities for workers to cultivate wealth and autonomy.
Learn how we invest in creating better jobs through worker ownership.
Inspired by the conversion of Alliance Psychological Services of New York from a sole proprietorship to a worker-owned cooperative (a project completed with technical assistance from our affiliate, the ICA Group) three therapists in Holyoke, MA sought to create their own worker-owned therapy practice. But the project, while long on vision and commitment, was a bit short on collateral. Needing some short-term funds to cover payroll and other operating expenses while waiting for public payment and cover the onboarding costs, while new therapists in the practice built their book of business. The group turned to FJWO to help. The Fund offered a $35,000 working capital loan as the solution.
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Seeing a growing need for a specialized approach, three Latina entrepreneurs reached out to FJWO for help in starting their own bilingual, bicultural consulting company: Colmenar Cooperative Consulting. Utilizing a popular education approach, Colmenar’s founders work to foster democratic participation and governance in a variety of workplaces. They believe that creation of worker-owned businesses addresses a root cause of inequality and has the potential to truly change the nature of work.
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All APartnership’s 24 staff members identify as people of color, nearly 90% are immigrants, and two-thirds are women. Over 20+ years in business specializing in understanding the needs of the Asian American market, the company has built a track-record of managing large, complex accounts and a resume of producing award-winning work. Today, APartnership is arguably the most awarded Asian American agency in the country with an impressive list of clients including state and federal governmental agencies, major national banks, and Fortune 500 companies.
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As a community development loan fund, the Fund for Jobs Worth Owning is always looking for ways to structure our services in creative ways that will help borrowers expand their impact. STOKE developed out of a core belief that communities possess the power and vision to transform their world through a shared commitment to slow and thoughtful capacity building. Their objective is to support social justice movements in skill building, tending to relationships, and creating strong accountability structures.
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Helping nonprofit organizations to use the tools of effective communications to shape beliefs and inspire action has been the driving mission behind Big Duck since its founding in 1994. Big Duck works to help nonprofits increase their visibility, raise money, and communicate more effectively. Now a diverse and talented team of 15, Big Duck approached the Fund for Jobs Worth Owning in 2021 for financing to help transition the company to employee ownershi
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Democracy Brewing launched its worker-owned brewpub in downtown Boston on July 4th, Independence Day, 2018. Combining high-quality local beer with a welcoming atmosphere, fresh-from-scratch delicious food, and a shot of workplace democracy turned out to be a winning combination. The co-op was a success.
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A great example of how our Fund’s tailored lending and technical assistance can make a big difference for low-wage workers is a recent loan to White Electric Coffee in Providence, Rhode Island. A popular neighborhood café for 20 years, White Electric served a variety of tasty food and coffee beverages to a vibrant, racially, and economically mixed community.
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You might not think about the hard-working people behind real estate signs you see, but if you happen to be in New York City, there is more than a passing chance that sign was designed, made, and installed by a worker-owned cooperative. The founder of Green Mountain Graphics, based in Queens, New York, has spent close to 30 years building a solid reputation for quality customer service and creative solutions.
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The Fund for Jobs Worth Owning is the leading expert in providing financing strategies for worker-centered business.
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The Fund for Jobs Worth Owning | (617) 383-8192
136 West Street #1, Northampton, MA 01060
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In accordance with federal laws and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20220; call (202) 622-1160; or send an e-mail to: crcomplaints@treasury.gov
