Seed Commons is a cooperatively governed Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financing to worker-owned businesses and other forms of community ownership across the United States.

Through a national network of locally rooted member organizations, Seed Commons aggregates investment capital and deploys it through communities that know their local economies, businesses, and workers firsthand. Its approach centers on what Seed Commons calls non-extractive finance, structuring capital so that businesses and communities retain the economic value created through investment.

Capital invested in Seed Commons supports a diversified portfolio of projects advancing worker and community ownership.

A significant focus is worker cooperatives: businesses in which employees share ownership and participate in democratic decision-making. Seed Commons also supports community-controlled real estate, land, housing, and other enterprises designed to build long-term local economic capacity.

Its national structure lets investors participate in a broad portfolio while local Seed Commons member organizations identify opportunities, support borrowers, and help guide capital deployment in their communities.

Seed Commons seeks to expand access to capital for workers and communities that have historically had limited access to conventional financing and ownership opportunities.

Its work is designed to:

• Increase worker and community ownership
• Expand access to flexible, patient capital
• Support locally rooted businesses and cooperative enterprises
• Build wealth and economic opportunity for workers
• Strengthen community control of businesses, land, housing, and other productive assets

Seed Commons currently operates through a network of 39 member organizations and has deployed more than $127 million through 500+ investments since 2011. 

Capital for worker-owned businesses, cooperative enterprises, and other forms of community ownership through the Seed Commons network.