A Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) is an endowment fund established by an individual co-op wherein the fund principal is invested in their region’s cooperative development and the interest earned each year is donated by the sponsor co-op to nonprofits and cooperatives in their community. The Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund is part of a financial endowment made up of many different cooperatives across the country. Our Fund is grown with contributions by the Littleton Co-op, co-op suppliers, and generous community members like you. All of these co-ops across the country pool their money together with the Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation. Twin Pines invests only in the development of co-ops –not in the stock market. They also invest proportionately to develop co-ops in the regions the money originated from. That means the more we give, the more we get back.
And that’s not all! The interest we earn each year from our portion of the Fund is distributed annually to a local non-profit, spreading the impact even further. That’s the power of Cooperation!
FAQ’S
What is a Cooperative Community Fund?
A Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) is an endowment fund established by an individual co-op wherein the fund principal is invested in their region’s cooperative development and the interest earned each year is donated by the sponsor co-op to nonprofits and cooperatives in their community. A CCF is sponsored by a local food co-op and administered within the Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation. Over 45 food co-ops across the United States have cooperative funds and contribute to the Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation.
How much have the Cooperative Community Funds donated to non-profits and other cooperatives at this time?
In 2008, donations by Cooperative Community Funds across the country reached $100,00 in combined giving — and it’s only growing from there. Locally, in 2022 the Twin Pines Cooperative Community Fund through the NH Community Loan Fund helped homeowner cooperatives purchase more than 140 mobile home parks in NH. The NH Community Loan Fund, with the help of our donations to Twin Pines, has transformed 20,000 NH residents from permanent renters to homeowners.
Who decides where the income earned by our Cooperative Community Fund goes?
The Littleton Food Co-op decides and sends that advice to TPCF. In the past, the non-profit was chosen by a Co-op committee of staff and board members. In 2024, we brought the decision to our member-owners at our Annual Meeting. This way, over 100 co-op owners had a say in the decision.
What is the advantage of food co-ops joining together to operate Cooperative Community Funds?
Acting together will always be more effective than operating separately. Each of our co-ops brings talent to the table. That talent through the CCF partner funds means that we all share the benefit of practicing good fundraising ideas. As the good ideas percolate they can be used by the other partner co-ops. As we grow there is also a sense of togetherness in developing opportunities. Some of this is slow to grow but over time it will be sure to happen.
How can I support the Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund?
We love when our member-owners and community want to join us in supporting cooperative community development! Historically, the Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund is the October Partner of the Month non-profit. This means, all October you can round up your purchases to the next dollar, and the difference in change will go to the Community Fund. It seems small, but working together it creates a big difference! We also offer the opportunity to donate your patronage rebate to the Community Fund. Inquire about donation options at the Service Desk.
Previous Recipients of Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund Interest
2024 LFCCF Recipient: Theatre Up
2023 LFCCF Recipient: Veterans2Veterans Group
2022 LFCCF Recipient: Bethlehem Elementary School Garden Club
2021 LFCCF Recipient: ORIS/Fresh Start Farm
2020 LFCCF Recipient: Wednesday Night Supper Program at Franconia Church
Recipient Highlight: Fresh Start Farms
Left to right: Asli Yussuf, Khamis Khamis, Sidi Mohamed, Sylvain Bukasa / New American Farmers Cooperative
In late June 2021 we visited Fresh Start Farms in Dunbarton, NH to present the farmers with a check for $1,855.78 from the Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund. Nine farmers are part of the New American Farmers Co-op, and have been growing crops at their farm on Story Hill since 2008. These farmers are working full-time jobs, have families to take care of, and still manage to make time for themselves to drive their own economic growth through their farm enterprises. They came here to America to make a better life for themselves and their families, and in doing so, are also feeding over 320 families in southern NH.
Fresh Start Farms is a collective brand for immigrant and refugee farmers participating in the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program, a program of the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success. They work alongside the New American Farmers Co-op to bring farm-fresh ingredients to neighborhood farmers’ markets and stands, wholesale, and their FarmShare and Fresh Start Market.
The New American Farmers Cooperative organized themselves cooperatively in 2016 in order to achieve their collective goals of increased self-sufficiency, efficiency, viability, and long-term sustainability of their farm businesses. The member-farmers represent the Somali-Bantu and Congolese communities and bring rich agricultural experience from both their countries of origin as well as the experience gained while farming in the United States and participating in ORIS’ New American Sustainable Agriculture Program.
The New American Farmers Cooperative will be using the funds for a concrete slab for a cooler system that was donated to them for storing fresh produce until it is dispersed. We’re proud to support the New American Farmers Cooperative in their collective goals!
