What is the Co-operative Development Fund?
The Co-operative Development Fund is a revolving loan fund for new and existing co-op development in Newfoundland & Labrador. Built by co-ops for co-ops, these loans are designed to make financial support for co-ops more accessible and affordable in order to strengthen our diverse and growing community.
Applying to the Fund not only benefits your co-op, but helps
the co-op sector in Newfoundland and Labrador grow.
The loan fund helps co-ops:
Alleviate financial challenges during start up or growth
Benefit from favourable lending rates with a manageable pay back period
As a leverage tool to get additional funding or meet budgetary needs
The Micro loan
($5,000 max.)
The Micro loan is for amounts up to $5000. This loan is available to any incorporated co-op in the province of Newfoundland-Labrador, including co-ops that are newly incorporated. The application process for this loan is designed to be quick and easy.
You can use this loan to:
- Create your first strategic plan or hold and AGM
- Conduct a financial audit or member survey
- Create a marketing strategy or buy equipment
- Gain additional financial support from other funders
The Development loan
($30,000 max.)
The Development loan is for loans of 20% of a project, up to a maximum amount of $30,000. This loan is available to any incorporated co-op in the province of Newfoundland-Labrador, including co-ops that are newly incorporated.
You can use this loan to:
- Renovate a building or create new infrastructure
- Purchase equipment like machinery or computers
- Update software or subscriptions
- Train staff to offer a new product or service
Who is eligible?
All co-ops that are incorporated in Newfoundland-Labrador, and have a credit union account are eligible.
Not incorporated yet?
Ready to apply for a loan?
How it
works...easy as 1,2,3 (and 4)
1
Fill out your intake form
To begin, fill out our online intake form to start your application. When we receive your completed form a member of our team will follow up with the next steps of the application process. We will support our members every step of the way to make sure accessing the the Co-operative Development Fund is easy, and that you can access all the options to best suit your unique needs.
2
Receive the full application package
You will be contacted by a member of our team and receive the information you need to apply.
3
Receive your loan
4
Loan repayment
The Micro loan should be repaid in full within 2 years.
The Development loan should be repaid in full within 5 years.
The interest rate is Prime +1%, and loan repayment generally starts after 1-3 months.
Your advisor will help you create a repayment plant that works for your unique situation.
Got a question? Contact us anytime for more information.
Featured Grant recipients
Growing our Futures Childcare Co-operative
Project title: From childcare desert to state of the art facility
Loan received: Development
Amount: $30,000
Read the full story
Newfoundsand
Project title: Equipment upgrade
Loan received: Development
Amount: $30,000
Read the full story
With support of the Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
News and media
Celebrating Co-op week with exciting news: The relaunch of the
Co-operative Development Fund
Published: September 30, 2025
Helping cooperatives to grow
Published: September 30, 2025
From glass waste to community impact: How the CDF loan helped a co-op grow
Published: September 30, 2025