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COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP FUND

About the Cooperative Leadership Fund

The Northeast Cooperative Council (NECC) and the Cornell Cooperative Enterprise Program (CEP) are recognized leaders in providing high-quality educational programs for cooperative board members, management teams, future leaders, and professionals working with cooperative enterprises.

CEP’s initiatives focus on:

  • Enhancing the effectiveness of cooperative boards of directors

  • Developing leadership skills among current and emerging leaders

  • Expanding understanding of the cooperative business model among key audiences

Establishment and Purpose

Recognizing the need for long-term support of cooperative education and research, the NECC Board of Directors established the Cornell University Cooperative Leadership Fund in 1999 with an initial gift to the Cornell University Foundation. The fund is a donor-advised fund managed as part of Cornell University’s endowment, housed within the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

The fund’s primary goals include:

  • Supporting students interning at NECC member cooperatives

  • Assisting students with costs to attend the NECC Cooperative Leaders Forum

  • Supporting educational presentations on the cooperative business model at colleges and universities across the NECC region

Cooperative Internship Recognition Award (CIRA)

Each year, the Cooperative Leadership Fund recognizes up to five college students who successfully complete internships with NECC member cooperatives. This award honors students who demonstrate:

  • Academic excellence

  • Strong leadership potential

  • Successful completion of a cooperative-based internship

Awards are presented during the annual NECC Cooperative Leaders Forum.

Partnerships and Outreach

NECC partners with the Cooperative Development Institute through the Education, Outreach, and Research Project. This collaboration provides:

  • Support for outreach programs

  • Development of educational resources

  • Applied research into issues relevant to agricultural and cooperative-structured businesses

Making a Gift

Donations to the Cooperative Leadership Fund are welcome from individuals and organizations interested in supporting cooperative education and leadership development. Contributions can be made:

  • In honor or memory of individuals involved in the cooperative sector

  • As tax-deductible gifts

At the discretion of the NECC and the Cornell University Foundation, up to 50% of the fund balance may be directed to other qualifying nonprofit institutions, in addition to Cornell University.