Co-op News | Winter Quarterly 2026
Cooperative Community Fund Applications Open in January
The Co-op’s 2026 Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) cycle begins in January. Local organizations can apply for grant funding, and Co-op owners are invited to volunteer on the CCF Grant Committee.
The Cooperative Community Fund was established in 1999 and has since granted over $690,000 to support organizations working to strengthen and improve the local community.
North Coast Co-op invites tax-exempt local nonprofit organizations, public schools, federally recognized tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored organizations located in Humboldt County to apply for Cooperative Community Fund grants. For the 2026 cycle, there is $28,850 available for grants ranging from $500-$3,000. Grant applications are accepted January 13 through March 13, 2026. Grant recipients for the 2026 cycle will be announced by June 2026.
In 2025, the Co-op received 52 grant applications and awarded $20,860 to 12 community projects.
Funds are awarded to projects that address at least one of the following focus areas:
- Community Supportive Services - Projects that focus on supportive services for diverse communities within Humboldt County, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, and low-income communities.
- Local Food Systems – Projects supporting local food systems and increasing the availability of locally grown food within Humboldt County.
- Educational Programs Focused on Food – Projects providing educational services around food, including food systems, health, and nutrition.
- Sustainability Implementation and Education – Projects that promote or implement sustainable systems and practices, including waste reduction, renewable energy, and alternative transportation.
- Cooperatives – Projects supporting co-op organizations, co-op development, co-op education, etc.
Grant Committee Volunteer Opportunity
In addition to applying for funding, North Coast Co-op encourages Co-op owners to apply to volunteer on the CCF Grant Committee. Serving on the committee is a meaningful way to learn about the work local organizations are doing while helping guide funding toward projects with the greatest community impact.
The CCF Grant Committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations on which projects receive funding. Applications to volunteer on the Grant Committee will be accepted January 5 through March 7, 2026.
Full details about volunteering on the Grant Committee and applying for Cooperative Community Fund grants can be found on the Co-op website at northcoast.coop/CCFGrants or by requesting information from Customer Service at either North Coast Co-op location.
