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October is Worker Cooperative Month, a time to spotlight and celebrate participatory democracy and the organizations that are reimagining how we work, govern, and make decisions. At Gathering Ground, we fervently believe that fostering democratic decision-making – where all voices are heard and considered, and everyone has a stake in decisions – is critical to achieving real equity. This is why worker cooperatives, and other democratically run, horizontally structured organizations, offer a powerful, people-centered alternative to traditional top-down structures, and stand at the intersection of racial justice, economic democracy and justice, and community wealth building. In a world where many of our institutions are built around hierarchies and centralized power, worker cooperatives challenge and remind us that a different way is possible.The worker cooperative model, centered on horizontalism and democratic decision-making, goes beyond shifting ownership structures; it actively dismantles systemic inequities by redistributing power and fostering inclusive, equitable workplaces and communities. Worker cooperatives, also known as Worker Self-Directed Enterprises (WSDEs), operate on principles of democratic governance, where decisions are made collectively. By transferring economic control to workers, particularly in communities historically excluded from business ownership, cooperatives (WSDEs) create pathways to genuine economic democracy and justice.These models create more equitable, transparent, and resilient organizations, with everyone having a stake in the success of the enterprise. This shift toward collective governance is particularly meaningful for marginalized communities – all which are low-income, and many are communities of color – who have often been excluded from decision-making in traditional top-down organizations. Democratically run organizations have shown incredible success across the US and abroad, and particularly in the nonprofit sector, where equity and social justice are central missions. NonProfit Quarterly has highlighted several case studies that demonstrate the power of participatory democracy. For example, when a nonprofit organization embraces democratic practices, it’s not just the leadership making decisions—it’s the staff, volunteers, and community members who are directly impacted by the outcomes. This approach results in creating more sustainable solutions that are rooted in the real needs and lived experiences of the people who are at the center of the mission-based, nonprofit work. A recent article in NonProfit Quarterly explored how democratic governance strengthens community engagement and equity outcomes. The Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) stands as a compelling example of how integrating worker-cooperative principles into nonprofit structures can transform organizational effectiveness. By embedding democratic decision-making into their core operations, SELC demonstrates that when we trust in collective wisdom, we create more responsive and impactful organizations. SELC’s initiatives are more innovative, resilient, and directly aligned with grassroots movements for social change. At Gathering Ground, we are constantly inspired by the success of democratically run organizations and believe participatory democracy has a critical role to play in the fight for racial and economic equity and justice. By challenging traditional power structures and putting decision-making into the hands of those most impacted, we build organizations, programs—and communities—that are truly equitable and just. As we celebrate Worker Cooperative Month this October, let’s take a moment to uplift the organizations, nonprofits, and movements that are leading the way with democratic principles. They remind us that when we share power, we begin to create the conditions for everyone to thrive. In solidarity, |
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Maria Carnemolla, Executive Director |
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Want to learn more about the power of worker cooperatives and democratic governance in nonprofits? Check out NonProfit Quarterly’s recent article: Remaking the Economy: Worker Self-Directed Nonprofits in Practice and Co-op Federation Seeks to Shift Worker Co-op Movement into a Passing Gear. |