October is National Cooperative Month

Show your support by sharing why you love your cooperative on social media with #MyIowaCooperative

What is a Cooperative?

MEMBER-OWNED

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Cooperatives are owned and democratically controlled by their members. Members elect the board of directors. This elected board of directors oversees the business and sets policy. ​

EMPLOYS 12,000+ IOWANS

If all cooperative employees were grouped together, they would be one of the top 10 largest employers in the state; employing more than 12,000 Iowans!

FOR THE BENFIT OF MEMBERS

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Cooperatives operate for the benefit of their members, rather than earning profits for investors.

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED

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Along with community-focused missions, cooperatives generate more than 

$60 million in property taxes, which is paid to Iowa communities.

The
Cooperative
Advantage

Iowans receive unique benefits when doing business with a cooperative vs a non-cooperative business model. Distinct qualities of the cooperative advantage include:

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• Members can work together to meet challenges and solve problems ​

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• Democratic control through member-ownership

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• Reduced cost of expenses for members

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• Access to products or services that might otherwise be unavailable to the cooperative members

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• Provides new and existing market opportunities for cooperatives and members

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• Maximized member earnings

The Cooperative Principles

TYPES OF COOPERATIVES

Credit Unions

Electric Utilities

Health Care

Real Estate 

Telecommunications

Agriculture

Transportation

Insurance