How much funding does Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

When is the deadline for Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Who is eligible for Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program?

Eligible applicants: Individuals from cooperative development organizations.

How often is Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program offered?

Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program runs on an annual cycle.

Who has received Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program funding?

Cooperative Development Foundation's IRS filings list 1 award under this program (2020). Recent recipients include National Cooperative Business Assoc (Washington, DC), $1,089 in 2020.

Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) Program

Cooperative Development Foundation

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Professional Development Grants Workforce Development Grants

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

From the program guidelines: “Program cohorts accepted annually (applications typically processed in early spring for cohort starting later that year)”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

Individuals from cooperative development organizations

Other requirements

New and emerging cooperative leaders
Cooperative professionals from all sectors (food, housing, credit unions, worker cooperatives, etc.)
Cross-sectoral professionals engaged in cooperative development
Geographic Scope: United States and North America (includes participants from Canada)

Overview

Purpose: An 8-month professional development program designed to deepen and broaden knowledge of cooperatives and the cooperative business model's role in meeting economic and social needs of communities.

Program Structure:

8-month duration
Multi-sector programming and events
Networking with cooperative leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders
Peer support and collaboration among cohort members

Eligible Applicants:

New and emerging cooperative leaders
Cooperative professionals from all sectors (food, housing, credit unions, worker cooperatives, etc.)
Individuals from cooperative development organizations
Cross-sectoral professionals engaged in cooperative development

Geographic Scope: United States and North America (includes participants from Canada)

Program Components:

Co-creation of meaningful learning experiences
Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
Connection to national cooperative support system
Introduction to cross-sectoral cooperative community

Administering Organizations:

Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF)
NCBA CLUSA

Contact Information:

Email: info@cdf.coop
Phone: 202-383-5440
Address: 1725 I Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

How to Apply

Application Process

Application details not fully specified in provided materials. However, based on available information:

Complete application form demonstrating:
- Interest in cooperative development
- Current role in cooperative sector or cooperative development
- Leadership experience and potential
- Commitment to participate in 8-month program
Program cohorts accepted annually (applications typically processed in early spring for cohort starting later that year)

Recent Cohort Information:

2026 Cohort: Being welcomed (announcement made)
2024 Cohort: 17 participants selected
2023 Cohort: 19 participants selected
Selection is competitive and intentionally diverse

For current application deadline and process, contact CDF directly.

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Past recipients of this program

Recent awards under this program (from Cooperative Development Foundation's IRS filings)

National Cooperative Business Assoc

Washington, DC · 2020

$1,089

1 grant in Cooperative Development Foundation's 2020 filings reference “Cooperative Leaders and Scholars Program” in their stated purpose. Amounts and places as reported by the funder.

What Cooperative Development Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 35
Total given: $3.34M
Median grant: $25K
Range: $6,368–$1.75M

By dollars: District of Columbia 52%, Colorado 15%, Kansas 7%. Top recipient cities: Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Madison, WI.
3% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
60% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

National Cooperative Business Association · Washington, DC

Multiple Fiscal Sponsorships; Nationwide Foundation Grant support

$1.75M
University of Colorado Foundation · Denver, CO

Cooperative Education Fund - Building the Field

$483K
Kansas State University Foundation · Manhattan, KS

Multi-year grant for general support

$249K
Cooperative Development Institute · Northamptom, MA

Education

$84K
Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Inc · Tallahassee, FL

Disaster Relief

$53K