About Us 

The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI, www.cdi.coop) is the Northeast's Center for cooperative business education, training, and technical assistance. CDI was founded in 1994 by leaders across industry sectors to build a cooperative economy in the Northeast. Our mission is to work with people in the Northeast to create cooperative businesses, housing, and networks that grow a prosperous, equitable economy. We envision a democratically owned and just economy where everyone can fulfill their needs and aspirations. We support, advise, and provide technical assistance to all sorts of cooperatives. 

About Our Culture 

CDI is a virtually based 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our staff enjoy their jobs and appreciate the flexibility of working from home, the commitment to continuous learning, and the interesting and varied work. Because our organization is transparent, accountable, and participatory, staff's ideas and opinions count. We are committed to maintaining this as a priority. 

We promote economic prosperity for all through our work, our hiring practices, and our vigorous commitment to cooperative principles. Our organizational practice acknowledges and seeks to eliminate all forms of oppression. By examining bias within ourselves and our organization, we work mindfully to make our board and staff more inclusive. We actively support staff in addressing racism, classism, gender inequality, and all efforts to marginalize anyone. The nature of our work engages us directly with the working poor, the educationally disadvantaged, the elderly, immigrants, and refugees. It is our goal to see all of our clients prosper within the cooperative movement.