Cooperative Equity Fund - Feasibility Study

Identifying and securing new sources of capital is a top priority for cooperatives and NCBA. An NCBA Task force early in 2007 recommended that NCBA pursue the idea of a cooperative equity fund by commissioning a feasibility study. The purpose of the study is to determine whether such a fund is a viable option for creating more capital for co-ops and, if so, to identify the appropriate structure(s) to ensure its success.

The study will help identify:

• Possible ownership structures
• Size and scope of the fund
• Level of return(s) needed to sustain the fund over a long term
• Potential investors/investments in the fund
• Potential legal and regulatory impediments
• Ideas for how to describe and market cooperatives

NCBA is soliciting proposals for this feasibility study. Proposals are due January 23, 2008.

For a copy of the solicitation letter, which provides more detail on the scope of the feasibility study, please click here.