Since opening in 1974, Sevananda has provided natural foods to Atlanta residents. It converted from a non-profit corporation to a cooperative in the 1990s in order to raise equity from customers. Today, it is one of the larger community food co-ops in the southeastern United States with 3,400 members. Committed to the community, the co-op prioritizes local sourcing and has run its “Be The Change” program, which encourages members to round-up their total and donates the proceeds to a range of local nonprofits, since 1997.
Founded in 1940 to serve Delta Air Lines employees, Delta Community Credit Union is now Georgia's largest credit union with assets in excess of $5 billion and nearly 350,000 members. Through its Philanthropic Fund, the credit union has an annual grant program focused on supporting metro Atlanta nonprofits that help families manage their finances or improve youth wellbeing. Delta Community also awards annual scholarships to members pursing their first undergraduate degree.
The curriculum walks participants through an examination of the philosophy and practice of cooperation, the meaning of "development" and "entrepreneurship" in their lives, the steps required in starting a cooperative business, and an exploration of two of the most important steps - organizing people into a Steering Committee, and creating a Business Plan. All activities use Popular Education methods, drawing directly on the expertise and insight of participants to guide the learning process...read more
