The California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes cooperatives as a vibrant model to address the economic and social needs of California’s communities. CCCD supports the myriad of cooperatives in California (agricultural, arts and crafts, child care, energy, housing, worker-owned, etc.) with start-up, management, and other technical assistance. The Center’s Community and Economic Development Programs specifically highlight cooperative projects that promote opportunities for people with low and moderate incomes, as well as economically disadvantaged communities, regions, and neighborhoods. Such projects include education about how cooperatives can be effective in stimulating economic growth, income generation, home ownership opportunities, cost savings, or strategies for bringing needed products and services to underserved areas.
CCCD incorporated in 2007 and many staff and board members were previously employed or associated with the University of California at Davis Center for Cooperatives, an extension program that closed in 2004 due to budget cuts.
CCCD's Mission
The mission of the California Center for Cooperative Development is to promote cooperatives as a vibrant business model to address the economic and social needs of our communities. CCCD fulfills this mission by:
• Educating the public, community institutions and government agencies to foster and promote the understanding of cooperatives
• Identifying and disseminating information about successful practices and models for cooperatives
• Encouraging cooperation and coordination among various types of cooperatives
• Providing technical assistance and education for the development of cooperatives to best address economic and social needs