Our Mission
DCWF exists to empower historically marginalized Detroiters, blending education and programming about cooperatives, with non-extractive loans to support democratic and community-based businesses in Detroit.
Support DCWF
Your contribution will enable DCWF to provide free technical assistance, educational programming and resources to emerging and existing democratically owned businesses in Detroit, to support Black business ownership, community wealth building, and community economic control.
Our Programs
We provide non-extractive financing for start-ups, existing businesses, and for ownership transitions. We also run ongoing workshops and an annual Co-op Incubator, and opportunities for co-ops to build community with one another.
Click the icons below to learn more about our programs.
Find a “Co-ops 101” Free Neighborhood Workshop Near You!
Curious about co-ops but don’t know where to start? Looking for options on how to structure your small business, empower your fellow workers in your workspace, or keep wealth created by your community in your community? Join us at one of our free neighborhood workshops happening all throughout the city this year! Childcare and food provided!
This workshop will cover:
Why co-ops are a smart choice for aspiring and current small business owners, especially those who want to give back to their community!
How different types of co-ops can help support neighborhood economies and be used as a tool to build community self-determination and keep wealth/resources with the people who create it
A brief history of Black cooperatives in the US
Hands-on activities about how worker co-ops work
Questions from participants
Check out the full calendar here! (dates subject to change, more to be added!)
Find one happening in your neighborhood you using this map!
What Is a Cooperative?
Cooperatives are people-centered enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realize their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations. (ica.coop)
Meet the Co-ops
Get to know loan recipients and graduates
of the Co-op Incubator
In the News
Pandemic turns heads toward co-op business model, Axios, November 1, 2022
Worker Cooperatives Can Teach Businesses About Valuing Employees During “Labor Shortage”, WDET, October 8th, 2021
Black Bottom Garden Center co-op works to make difference in Detroit, Fox2 May 23rd, 2021
These Three Businesses Are Creating A Worker-Owned Economy in Detroit , WDET, October 4 2019
New loan fund looks to develop co-op economy in Detroit, Model D, October 2 2018
The Co-op That’s Keeping Community Money Out of Big Banks, December 4, 2018
A National Worker Co-op Financing Network Emerges, Non-Profit Quarterly, December 6, 2018