Capacity Building

We believe that the shared control of resources and wealth is a key component to a just society.

We work toward the equitable control of resources through cooperative and other non-exploitative institutions, with a particular focus on Indigenous, Black and Brown communities that have been historically exploited and marginalized. Our partners are community-based institutions, worker-owned cooperatives, local organizing and grassroots campaigns that are building power in New York immigrant communities and communities of color.

We bring to the table creative technical assistance and legal solutions aligned with dismantling racial, economic, and social oppression. The types of services we offer include:

1 –  Worker Cooperatives: Assist with the formation and ongoing legal issues of worker cooperatives, which give workers control over their working conditions, income and economic futures.

2 – Not-for-Profits/ Unincorporated Associations: Assist community-based organizations with incorporation, development of governance documents, and tax-exempt status (501(c)(3)), compliance with other nonprofit, employment, and tax laws, and operational issues, such as fundraising, board development, and the development of effective policies and procedures.

3 – Trainings: Provide legal training for cooperative developers, worker cooperatives, nonprofits and unincorporated groups on such topics as legal entity options, Know-Your-Rights for immigrant-led cooperatives, using governance documents for conflict resolution, tax issues for cooperatives and lobbying.

4 – Policy: Give technical assistance to local campaigns on public policy efforts, including citywide and statewide policies affecting small businesses and worker cooperatives.

5 – Coalitions: Provide technical support to coalitions and organizers on governance, decision making and structure issues.

Interested in working with us?

Download and fill out our intake form for worker cooperatives (here) or nonprofits and unincorporated associations (here) and return it to us by email at capacity@takerootjustice.org or by regular mail.

Learn more about our team through our one-pager!

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Our Capacity Building Partners

In the news

Our Capacity Building team strengthens the solidarity economy in New York and supports workers as owners and decision makers. In collaboration with our longtime partners, the NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives and Green Worker Cooperatives, we legally formed New York