Join as a Cooperative

NASCO is an alliance of group equity housing cooperatives, cooperative supporters, and allied cooperative organizations. 

Membership is the foundation of NASCO. As a grassroots member-led movement, our strength lies in our members. NASCO represents over 40 Active Member Co-ops representing over 4,000 people. NASCO member co-ops range in size, demographics served, governance styles, and business models. Member co-ops participate in NASCO’s governance by nominating board directors, voting in elections, attending and voting in NASCO’s Annual General Meeting, and participating in annual identity-based caucuses. 

 

The NASCO membership year runs from September 1 through to the following August 31. 

 

Eligibility for Active Membership

  • You are an organization, incorporated or not
  • You are located at, or in the vicinity of, a university or college campus
  • Your organization supplies housing, credit, food, clothing, or other goods on a nonprofit cooperative basis

 

If you are not eligible for Active Membership, consider joining NASCO as an Associate Member

 

Member Benefits

Education & Technical Assistance

  • Annual Cooperative Health Assessment with recommendations and follow up training
  • Up to 3 included workshops or trainings from NASCO staff
  • Up to 5 included hours of consulting services
  • Heavily discounted registration to NASCO Institute and all NASCO events
  • Free or discounted registration on webinars
  • Discounted rates for Development Consulting Services

Connection

  • Listing in NASCO’s Member Directory pointing potential members and partners to your co-op
  • Access to member communication channels including our member Slack channel and our Staff & Managers email list
  • Referrals to co-op-friendly attorneys, lenders, facilitators, and consultants
  • Amplification in NASCO’s newsletter and social media
  • Access to NASCO’s staff team of cooperative educators and organizers for feedback on issues as they arise at your co-op

Leadership Development

  • Free participation in the Cooperative Internship Network
  • Discounted participation in the Cooperative Leadership Certification program
  • Discounted registration to the annual Staff and Member Leadership Convening
  • Access to our job board

 

Learn more about NASCO member benefits here

 

Active Member Dues

Dues are based on the number of members in your co-op at capacity. Co-ops will pay dues or set up a payment plan by August 31st for the membership year that runs from September 1st to August 31st.

 

Member Dues Calculator

 

Dues Rates for the September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025 membership year:

U.S.

Small Co-ops

< 50 members

$38.09 USD / member

Mid-size Co-ops

50 - 99 members

$45.71 USD / member

Large Co-ops

100 - 199 members

$53.33 USD / member

Super Co-ops

200 + members

$60.94 USD / member

Dues cap after 400 members

 

Canada

Small Co-ops

< 50 members

$46.55 CAD / member

Mid-size Co-ops

50 - 99 members

$55.87 CAD / member

Large Co-ops

100 - 199 members

$65.81 CAD / member

Super Co-ops

200 + members

$74.49 CAD / member

Dues cap after 400 members

 

New Member Discount

We offer a discount for new members! If your co-op has not been a member of NASCO within the past five years, the joining dues rate is one-third of your regular dues rate calculated using the above table. Members will be billed at the ongoing member rate for subsequent years. If you are not sure if your co-op qualifies for this discount, we can look it up for you!

 

Joint Membership Discount for Canadian Cooperatives

Housing cooperatives based in Canada that are also dues-paying members of CHF Canada will receive a 30% discount on NASCO membership dues. 

 

Retail/Worker Co-ops

0.033% of Gross annual revenue = $ ________ USD/CAD (minimum $155 USD, maximum $1025 USD)

 

To account for inflation, we adjust member dues annually and will announce any changes in the dues rate by January 1st of the previous year.

 

Join as a Cooperative

 

Already a NASCO member? Renew your membership here.