member-owned cooperatives

Member-owned cooperatives are organizations owned and controlled by the people who use their services or products. Each member has a say in decision-making, usually through voting, and shares in the cooperative's profits or benefits. Unlike traditional businesses driven by investors, co-ops prioritize serving their members’ needs and fostering a sense of collective ownership. Examples include consumer co-ops (like grocery stores), worker co-ops (employee-owned businesses), and agricultural co-ops. This structure promotes democratic control, affordability, and community focus, aligning the organization’s success with the interests of its members rather than external shareholders.