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Employee ownership help

We have information to help you build and grow your worker cooperative or employee-owned firm in the City of Boston.

Our Worker Cooperative Initiative supports co-ops and businesses owned by employees. City tools include:

  • on-site technical help
  • workshops
  • support with procurement, and
  • helping worker co-ops take advantage of City policies and grant programs.
  • Have questions?

    If you have questions about employee cooperatives, or want to learn more about getting involved, contact Emily Patrick at emily.patrick@boston.gov, or call 617-635-0252.

  • Fill out our contact form and we’ll let you know more about what the City of Boston has to offer:

    Complete our contact form

What is employee ownership?

Background information

A worker cooperative is a business entity owned and democratically run by the people who work in it.

An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a defined contribution employee benefit plan. It allows employees to become owners of stock in the company they work for.

There are many examples of both across the US, including Cooperative Home Care Associates (worker co-op) and Harpoon Brewery (ESOP).

Co-ops vs. regular business model

Co-ops are similar to traditional businesses in that they aim to create a profit and become self-sustaining.

Co-ops are different in that they often have bottom lines aside from making a profit, including:

  • worker well-being
  • community well-being, and
  • environmental sustainability.

Map of Boston-area employee co-ops

Greater Boston firms by category

Firms by category
Name Description Contact Location
Name The Food Project
DescriptionLeverages sustainable agriculture to create social and personal change among Massachusetts youth.
Contact

hhammel@thefoodproject.org

617-442-1322

LocationBoston, MA
NameDrumlin Farm, Lincoln
DescriptionYou can pay for 15 to 100 percent of your share by working at the farm.
Contact

dfgrower@massaudubon.org

781-259-1259

LocationLincoln, MA
NameReVision Urban Farm, Dorchester
DescriptionReVision Family Home has given shelter and hope to pregnant and parenting homeless women.
Contact 
LocationDorchester, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameCommonwealth Kitchen
DescriptionShared kitchens with integrated business assistance. Get help creating and growing dynamic food-based businesses and careers.
Contact

Commonwealth Kitchen web contact form

617-522-7900

LocationBoston, MA
NameDorchester Food Co-op
DescriptionAn initiative to build a community and worker-owned cooperative market that provides economic opportunity and healthy, affordable food.
Contactinfo@dorchesterfoodcoop.com
LocationDorchester, MA
NameOrganic Valley Co-op
DescriptionLine of organic vegetables and dairy products, owned by family farmers.
Contact

organic@organicvalley.coop

888-444-6455

Location 
NameCabot Cheese Co-op
DescriptionA co-op of 1,200 dairy farm families located throughout New York and New England.
Contact

Cabot Cheese web contact form

207-541-9344

LocationNew England and New York (Waitsfield, VT)
NameOlio Collective Catering
DescriptionA worker-owned business dedicated to sustainable sourcing, workplace fairness, and the celebration of food as culture.
Contact

617-804-1456

LocationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameCooperative Fund for New England
DescriptionThe loan fund is for community development.
Contact

cfne@coopfund.coop

800-818-7833

LocationNew England
NameGreater Boston Chamber of Cooperatives
DescriptionDedicated to strengthening and expanding the greater Boston cooperative economy.
Contact 
LocationBoston, MA
NameBoston Cooperative Business Association
DescriptionWorks to build a more just, democratic, and sustainable economy.
Contact617-875-7694
Location Boston, MA
NameBoston Cooperative Investment Club
DescriptionInvests in cooperatives, as well as organizations and associations that support cooperatives.
Contactbostoncoopinvestment@gmail.com
LocationBoston, MA
NameCooperative Development Institute
DescriptionSpecializes in helping people work together to plan and launch a cooperatively owned business.
Contact

info@cdi.coop

413-665-1271

LocationNorthampton, MA
NameBoston Center for Community Ownership
DescriptionProvides education and training, facilitation, and consulting services.
Contactsc@bcco.coop
LocationBoston, MA
NameICA Group
DescriptionHelps start and grow worker cooperatives, democratic employee stock ownership plans, and other social purpose ventures.
Contactica@ica-group.org

877-752-3046
LocationNorthampton, MA
NameLocal Enterprise Assistance Fund
DescriptionFinancial and development help for cooperatives and social ventures that create and save jobs for low-income people.
Contactleaf@leaffund.org

617-232-1551
LocationBrookline, MA
NameWorker-Owned and Run Cooperative Network of Greater Boston (WORC'N)
DescriptionFacilitates connections between existing cooperatives.
ContactWORC'N contact form
LocationBoston, MA
Name Description contact location
NameA Yard & A Half Landscaping Cooperative
DescriptionDesigning and building landscapes with integrity, pride, and care for the environment and community.
contact

info@ayardandahalf.com

781-788-8855

locationBoston (based in Waltham), MA
NameCero
DescriptionZero waste recycling and local composting.
contact

CERO.coop@gmail.com

617-291-5855

locationBoston, MA
NameGreat Sky Solar
DescriptionBoston’s only employee-owned solar installer.
contact

info@greatskysolar.com

888-966-0726

locationBoston, MA
NameVida Verde
DescriptionThe team of women trained on cleaning alternatives that do not harm the environment.
contact

vidaverde@verdeamarelo.org

617-202-5775

locationBrighton, MA
NameCommunity Builders Cooperative
DescriptionWorks with and supports community development groups promoting affordable housing and sustainable development.
contact

info@communitybuilders.coop

617-623-8340

locationSomerville, Cambridge, MA
NameRestoring Roots: Landscaping Co-Op
DescriptionCreates beautiful, peaceful, multi-purpose, and food-producing landscapes.
contact

info@restoringroots.net

617-942-0561

locationBoston, MA
NamePlacetailor, Inc.
DescriptionBuilds high-performance "Passive House" homes in Boston.
contact

staff@placetailor.com

617-639-0633

locationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameBoston Building Resources
DescriptionInspires, educates, and empowers homeowners to increase the efficiency and value of their homes.
Contact

info@bostonbuildingresources.com

617-442-2262

LocationBoston, Ma
NameUnitarian Universalist Community Cooperatives
DescriptionGrows intentional housing communities of spiritual practice, sustainability, and social change.
Contactinfo@lucystonecoop.org
LocationRoxbury, MA
NameLucy Stone Cooperative
DescriptionAn intentional community living the values and tradition of Unitarian Universalism through cooperative home ownership.
Contactinfo@lucystonecoop.org
LocationRoxbury, MA
NameMargaret Moseley Cooperative
DescriptionThe second Unitarian Universalism Community Cooperatives house.
Contactinfo@lucystonecoop.org
LocationRoxbury, MA
NameBoston Community Cooperatives
DescriptionBuilds community through cooperative living, member education, neighborhood improvement, and collective action.
Contactbostoncommunitycooperatives@gmail.com
LocationBoston, MA
NameThe Canopy
DescriptionThey believe that a different model for urban living with children can exist — one that is sustainable, practical, and fun.
Contact 
Location 
Name Description Contact Location
NameCooperative Home Care Associates (CHCA)
DescriptionThe cooperative is a nationally recognized, worker-owned home care agency in the Bronx
Contact

info@chcany.org

718-993-7104

LocationBronx, NY
NameData Commons Directory
DescriptionSearch a directory of co-ops.
Contact 
Location 
Name Description Contact Location
NameRed Sun Press
DescriptionRed Sun Press is a printing and graphic design shop.
Contact

Eric Johnson: ejohnson@redsunpress.com

Gelitza Melendez: csr@redsunpress.com

617-524-6822

LocationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameRestaurant Opportunity Center Boston
DescriptionTheir mission is to improve working conditions in the restaurant industry.
Contact

maddie@rocunited.org

857-233-2271

LocationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameAgaric
DescriptionAgarics is a web development cooperative.
Contact

Online web form

508-283-3557

LocationCambridge, MA
NameBroadway Bicycle School
DescriptionA collectively run bicycle shop that currently has four collective members.
Contact

broadway@broadwaybicycleschool.com

617-868-3392

LocationCambridge, MA
NameDollars and Sense
DescriptionMagazine that publishes economic news, analysis, and critiques of the mainstream media's coverage of the economy.
Contact

dollars@dollarandsense.org

617-447-2177

LocationBoston, MA
NamePro Arte
DescriptionThe innovative, musician-run orchestra brings a creative mix of classical and new music to the concert stage.
Contact

info@proarte.org

617-779-0900

LocationBoston, MA
NameFields Corner Business Lab
DescriptionThe co-working space brings together entrepreneurs, small businesses and community development organizations.
Contact

contact@fieldscornerbusinesslab.com

617-982-3225

LocationDorchester, MA
NameBoston Tech Collective
DescriptionOffers tech support and computer services to the Greater Boston area.
Contact

help@bostontechcollective.com

617-639-1230

LocationSomerville, MA
NameResearch Action Design (RAD)
DescriptionRAD uses community-led research and collaborative design to build the power of grassroots social movements.
Contactinfo@rad.cat
LocationCambridge, Brooklyn, Joshua Tree
NameRoxDot Sweep and Scoop
Description 
Contact 
LocationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameWomen of Color Cooperative Boston
DescriptionCulturally sensitive co-operative for women of color, focused on food access, homeschooling, and homeownership.
Contact 
LocationBoston, MA
NameEqual Exchange Co-Op
DescriptionMission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound.
Contact

orders@equalexchange.coop

774-776-7400

LocationBoston, MA
NameDedham Square Artist Guild
DescriptionMembers of the cooperative get a home for their work and an opportunity to connect with the community.
Contact

staff@dedhamguild.com

781-329-1890

LocationDedham, MA
NameMake Shift Boston
DescriptionA cooperative workspace of diverse working artists, activists, and creative people from across disciplines.
Contact

hello@makeshiftboston.org

617-652-0549

LocationBoston, MA
Name Description Contact Location
NameBoston Natural Areas Network (BNAN)
DescriptionNonprofit dedicated to preserving properties of scenic, historic, and ecological value in Mass.
Contact

info@bostonnatural.org

617-542-7696

LocationBoston, MA
NameBerkeley Community Garden (run by BNAN)
DescriptionA community of 159 farmers in Boston’s South End.
Contact

Community Garden contact form

617-542-7696

LocationBoston, MA
NameBloombrick Urban Agriculture
DescriptionNew owner-operated indoor farm located in the heart of Cambridge.
Contact

bloombrick@gmail.com

413-237-4052

LocationCambridge, MA
NameCity Growers
DescriptionTheir mission is to transform vacant lots in Boston into intensive urban farms.
Contact

info@citygrowers.net

617-522-0205

LocationDorchester, MA

Equitable Economic Development Fellowship

Boston was one of six cities picked to take part in the inaugural year of the Equitable Economic Development Fellowship.

About the fellowship

The National League of Cities (NLC), PolicyLink, and the Urban Land Institute run the fellowship. It’s funded by the Surdna Foundation and the Open Society Foundations. The two-year fellowship aims to build our local economy through equity, transparency, sustainability, and community engagement.

City of Boston Fellows

The City of Boston will receive support and technical help from NLC, PolicyLink, ULI, and its peer cities. Joyce Linehan, Trinh Nguyen, John Smith, and Jason Ewas are participating in the program as fellows. They will receive support from across City Hall. The fellowship does not include direct funding support for putting programs in place.

Equity challenge

The City of Boston team picked economic inequality as an equity challenge. They then selected employee ownerships as a way to address it. Our fellowship team believes that employee ownership offers a chance for citizens throughout the City to build wealth.

  • Have questions?

    If you have questions about employee cooperatives, or want to learn more about getting involved, contact Emily Patrick at emily.patrick@boston.gov, or call 617-635-0252.

  • Fill out our contact form and we’ll let you know more about what the City of Boston has to offer:

    Complete our contact form

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