About Us
Community Wealth Co-operative is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization that supports cost-effective housing, dedicated non-profits and sustainable initiatives to improve society.
Community Wealth was founded in 2018 by a group of dedicated individuals that have years of experience in the non-profit and co-op sectors, focused on finding ways to create innovative financing opportunities that empower individuals and enterprises, helping to create a more equitable and sustainable society.
Over the years, Community Wealth has brought together a wide variety of groups that are working towards community-driven solutions to transform lives by reducing the cost of housing and making homeownership accessible to everyone.
The partner organizations have now developed the Community Wealth Fund to achieve this. The Community Wealth Fund is a collection of the wealth generated by a select group of non-profit delivery agencies that are used to provide early stage funding, project delivery oversight, down payment assistance to homeowners, provide financial guarantees, and support the further development of existing and new social enterprises.
What is a Co-operative?
A co-operative is defined as “autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.”
However what does that really mean in practice?
Co-operatives are a business model that make sense socially, environmentally, and financially. They balance people, planet, and profit.
Co-operatives are:
1. Owned by its members
The people who use the co-op’s services or purchase their products, and in some cases even work for the co-op or create the products being sold by the co-operative, are the owners!
2. Run democratically
Each member of the co-op is entitled to one vote, regardless of their level of investment. This ensures an equal say in what the business does and an equal share in the profits.
3. Value based businesses
Co-ops are built on the foundation of the "Seven International Principles of Co-operation," a set of guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
4. Community focused
By balancing people, planet, and profit, co-ops keep dollars circulating within the local economy, provide secure employment, and revitalize and build healthy, sustainable communities.
Early Stage Funding
Community Wealth provides seed funding for approved non-profit delivery agencies and co-operative development corporations that create home ownership opportunities for their members.
The seed funding includes all funding required to get projects to get off the ground including marketing, design, approvals, and more to ensure a successful development.
Project Oversight
Monitoring the progress of supported developments to assure their success.
Using our expertise in the housing industry, we're able to provide guidance in addition to funding for all our developments and projects. Our goal is to work closely with all our partners and produce a successful project every time.
Down Payment Assistance
Community Wealth Down Payment Assistance is the key piece in making our developments affordable for home owners. We believe that everyone should be able to own a home; we offer support from the beginning of the process so that people can achieve their dream of ownership.
Community Wealth Down Payment Assistance is a specialized loan that reduces carrying costs, making the home more affordable.
Everyone qualifies for up to 15% of their down payment as a loan, which only needs to be re paid when you rent or sell your unit.
The loan will be available through developments through our delivery agencies.
It allows a range of incomes to own, reaching incomes as low as $35,000/year for some of our units.
Financial Guarantees
Acting as the financial guarantor for the full range of associated developments and projects.
These guarantees including all the necessary agreements to allow for construction financing required to build projects.
With the Community Wealth model, all members re-invest their surplus generated through their activities into the Community Wealth fund we're able to support our partners and allow startup organizations to help overcome the initial hurdle of gaining access to capital.
Housing Advocacy
Supporting the dissemination of best practises between member organizations.
Using our experience in the housing industry over the years, we work with a wide variety of non-profits and co-ops.
Community Wealth partners also have experience in housing, co-ops, and much more and all members are willing to share their knowledge with each other to help develop their projects successfully.
Startup funding is also available for selective non-profits that fit the criteria and strive towards our vision. Eligible non-profits include, but are not limited to those supporting indigenous communities, agricultural activities, and sustainable energy initiatives.
VISION
We envision a world where home ownership is possible for all communities, economic development is prioritized and poverty alleviation is in progress across the globe.
MISSION
1. Supporting non-profits & co-ops that align with our vision to enact collective positive change
2. Supporting individuals that would otherwise be marginalized to achieve their dreams
3. Working using sustainable practises to improve the planet wherever possible
VALUES
Equality
Compassion
Diversity
Empowerment
Intergrity