[ the co-op coven ]
A cooperative is a business the people in it own and vote in, one person one vote
Everything here is free and public. Choose the door that sounds like you, and each page stays short.
[ three doors ]
Where would you like to start?
I want to understand what a co-op is
Eight painted pictures, one short idea each, no legal language.
Open Plain Sailing forming something newI want to start one where I live
Your state's statute, filing office, and steps, and nothing from the other forty-nine.
Pick your state already in businessI already run something and want to convert it
What actually changes for a sole proprietorship, an LLC, or a corporation.
See the conversion steps[ start here ]
Pick your state, see only your state
Your choice is remembered on this device, so you land straight back on it next time.
In a hurry? These two are written out in full:
[ everything in the coven ]
Five short pages, each one thing
Nothing is hidden behind a sign-in. Read them in any order.
[ just learning ]
Plain Sailing: the whole idea in pictures
Eight painted panels, one short sentence each, and every hard word explained where it stands. Start here if legal language makes your eyes glaze.
[ deciding ]
Which shape fits what you are building
How a co-op differs from an LLC, a corporation, and a nonprofit, then six co-op shapes sorted by who the members are.
[ planning ]
How the money comes home: shares and patronage
What members put in, how the year's surplus comes back by patronage rather than by shares, and where a friend would push you before you file.
[ already in business ]
Converting a business you already run
Sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation: what actually changes, in order, with the Washington and California paths written out.
[ taking action ]
Printable step-by-step guides
The same steps as a guide you can download, print, and mark up at the table, plus where to find free co-op development help.
[ one more thing, if it applies to you ]
Someone in your group may need to cross a border
Visas and work trade live on their own page
Use it when founders, workers, volunteers, visitors, or work-trade participants may cross a border. It covers what to check around visas, work authorization, wages, housing, tax, insurance, and cooperative membership. It does not provide a visa or make work legal by calling it volunteer work.