What if there were a co-op on every corner in your community?
Shared Capital Cooperative is a national CDFI loan fund that connects co-ops and capital. For 47 years, we have believed that a just economy is possible — and that financing cooperatives is one of the most direct ways to build it.
Our Mission
To build a just, equitable, and democratic economy by investing in cooperative enterprises.
Shared Capital Cooperative is a national CDFI loan fund that connects co-ops and capital to build economic democracy. We envision an economy where communities control their own resources and wealth is equitably shared.
By aggregating capital from cooperative organizations, impact investors, and foundations, we offer specialized lending designed specifically for the unique needs of cooperative businesses — whether they are worker-owned, consumer-owned, or producer-owned.
Our Vision
We envision vibrant communities shaped by the transformative power of cooperatives.
Cooperatives stand as revolutionary forces for racial and economic justice — driving an economy that prioritizes people, community, and the planet.
Wealth and power are equitably distributed, fostering self-determined growth and a flourishing, just society.
We are committed to an inclusive framework where every community thrives.
Our Values
The principles that guide every decision we make.
Racial, Economic & Social Justice
We recognize that we operate within a financial system that has been built on extraction, subjugation, and exclusion. We are committed to dismantling systemic inequities based on race, class, gender, and other social identities within our organization, the cooperative sector, CDFI industry, as well as in the broader economy and society. We stand alongside communities that are burdened by systemic injustice to create healing and bridge access to the capital and other resources needed by communities to forge equity and sustainability
Cooperation
Shared ownership and democratic participation are at the foundation of who we are and how we work. We are rooted in cooperative principles and values. We believe in the power of collective action: By collaborating and supporting one another, we achieve more than we could alone.
Accountability
As a democratically owned and governed fund, we are responsible to our members and our communities. We are committed to integrity and transparency and to the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted.
Accessibility
Shared Capital provides equitable access to resources for all. We accompany our members on the path to accessing capital resources. We democratize financial services by removing barriers, offering fair rates and terms, and shifting ownership and power to build a just financial system.
Sustainability
Cooperatives have proven to be resilient organizations, capable of thriving even under challenging circumstances. Our work supports the long-term success of cooperatives by providing access to capital, education, networks and other resources. We are committed to environmental practices that reduce our footprint and support cooperative solutions that create a greener future. Our collective future depends on cultivating the sustainability of our organizations, communities, and the environment for future generations.
What This Means In Practice
These aren't just words. They're the criteria by which every loan we make is evaluated.
Every dollar Shared Capital deploys goes to democratically governed enterprises. 83% of our financing reaches communities that conventional banks have long underserved. That's not a goal — that's our 47-year track record.
When you invest in Shared Capital, borrow from Shared Capital, or become a member, you are participating in a model of finance built on these values. The mission, the vision, and the values are not aspirational — they describe what we already do.