Envisioning a New Economy

ICA seeks to change the nature of work by advancing businesses and institutions that center worker voice, grow worker wealth, and build worker power. We seek to create, promote, and support jobs, while collaborating with workers to define a truly entrepreneurial, democratic, and community-minded economy.

The ICA Group is a leading expert on worker ownership and the oldest national organization dedicated to the development of worker cooperatives.

We are a mission-driven nonprofit organized as a worker cooperative and are dedicated to bringing strategic analysis and industry-focused supports to the worker ownership sector. Our business expertise is bolstered by a deep understanding of worker ownership and other worker-centered structures and a commitment to serving low-wage workers and communities of color.

Since 1977, ICA has launched dozens of worker-owned cooperatives and social enterprises, helped dozens of companies convert to worker ownership, and created and preserved over 10,000 jobs.

Recent Initiatives

ICA has developed worker ownership networks in the home care and child care sectors and built two state-based ownership opportunities programs that focus on preserving firms whose owners are looking to exit the business. We have honed our technical assistance tools and procedures, built partnerships with critical community and industry groups, and identified owners and leaders of successfully converted firms who serve as champions and advocates for worker ownership.

CoRise Cooperative
CoRise is a cooperative of home-based child care providers in Illinois. Developed in partnership with the Service Employees International Union, this social enterprise launched in Fall of 2018 following extensive market research and provider engagement.
The Fund for Jobs Worth Owning
By designing solutions for employee-owned businesses and financing transitions to employee ownership, the Fund supports the growth and development of employee-owned businesses. These innovative solutions create and sustain jobs worth owning.
The Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI)
In 2015, the ICA Group began work with the City of New York’s Department of Small Business Services with the goal of fighting income inequality across the five boroughs. ICA is a part of the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI), a network of ten organizations charged with supporting the creation and development of worker cooperatives in NYC.

Explore Our Resources

ICA develops tools and resources to support the financial and operational success of home care cooperatives.

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Explore all of our Resources
Designing for Success: Organizational Tools for Worker Cooperatives
Event
January 3, 2025
Joél Mejia
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Read article
AI for Worker Coops: Unlocking Operational Efficiency with AI Tools (Part 2)
Event
January 3, 2025
Joél Mejia
No items found.
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Maximizing Cooperative Growth Through Strategic Social Media
Blog Post
December 1, 2024
Worker Cooperatives
Joél Mejia
new york/NYC
workshops & webinars
worker cooperatives
WCBDI
Read article
LevelUp Coops Workshop Lineup: Empowering Worker-Owned Businesses for Success
Blog Post
October 31, 2024
Events & Learning
Joél Mejia
new york/NYC
worker cooperatives
workshops & webinars
WCBDI
Read article
Guide
The Five C's of Credit
Resource
September 2, 2024
Financing
Guide
financing & capital
worker cooperatives
credit
Read article
Guide
Setting a Membership Share Price
Resource
August 6, 2024
Guide
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Connect with Us to Transform Your Business

Have questions about employee ownership or cooperative development? Whether you're exploring a business transition, starting a new cooperative, or seeking tailored solutions to strengthen your industry, our team is here to help. Let us guide you toward a more equitable and resilient future for your business and community.