Scholarships

Many CCMA attendees are challenged by limited resources in their pursuit of gaining the tools they need to better to serve their communities through their food cooperative.

To assist you in participating in CCMA 2024, the following scholarship opportunities are available:

CCMA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Cooperative Development Foundation’s Education Fund is offering registration scholarships to attend CCMA 2024. The CCMA Scholarship will cover registration to the CCMA 2024 conference in Portland, Maine, from May 30 – June 1, 2024. This is a needs based scholarship for cooperators from emerging food cooperatives or those that are enduring financial hardship. There is a limit of four scholarships per cooperative or organization.

The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation headquartered in Washington, DC. CDF promotes and develops cooperatives to improve economic opportunities for all. The Cooperative Education Fund supports cooperative research, sponsors cooperative education events and scholarships and develops cooperative education materials and programs.

Additionally, applicants to the CCMA Scholarship Fund can apply for travel support from the Bill Gessner Memorial Scholarship Fund. A total of $2,000 are available annually to assist with travel to the CCMA Conference.

Apply for Scholarship

Deadline for scholarship applications is March 8, 2024.


P6 COOPERATIVE PRODUCER SCHOLARSHIP


The P6 Cooperative Producers Scholarship is designed to increase cooperation among consumer owned food co-ops and cooperatives providing wholesale products for consumers. Over the next three years (2022 – 2024), the P6 Cooperative Producer Scholarship will enable producer cooperative members to attend and exhibit at CCMA, as well as, provide a forum for discussions on collaborative next steps for cooperative buying between grocery co-ops and producers.

This scholarship is funded through the remaining funds from the now disbanded Principle Six (P6) Cooperative. Formed by food cooperatives and wholesale cooperatives in 2014 to facilitate Co-op to Co-op trade and to build awareness around Principle Six of the cooperative principles, P6 was created to be a national initiative to promote small farmers/producers, cooperative businesses, and local farmers and producers.

Who should apply?

Representatives or members from wholesale, producer, marketing, and/or worker cooperatives that are interested in collaborating with grocery cooperatives.

What does the program entail?

  • Scholarships will be awarded to cover registration costs, lodging, and travel to attend CCMA. Up to six scholarships per year will awarded based on availability of funds.
  • Depending on the availability of space, scholarship recipients will receive space in the exhibition hall and/or during receptions to sample products, connect with one another, and connect with attendees.
  • Dedicated networking time and space for P6 scholarship recipients to network with one another.
  • Participate in a breakout session focused on P6 collaboration initiatives.

Apply for Scholarship

Deadline for scholarship applications is March 8, 2024.


RALPH K. MORRIS FOUNDATION

Scholarships may be available through the Ralph K. Morris Foundation Cooperative Leadership Fund. Please visit their website at www.ralphkmorrisfoundation.org.