Chicago Market Newsletter — December 2022

Announcing Our Ownership Grant Program!

We often explain that one of the strengths of a co-op is that Owners have a voice in our store. Today we have an exciting example of that to share.

Owners expressed interest in making donations toward Ownership for people who want to join but need a method with no out-of-pocket cost. The Board heard this request and set up a team to build out a program to make it happen!

Ownership Grant Program
We use $125 in donated funds to offer an Ownership. This pays for half of the cost of being an Owner. The recipient becomes an Owner immediately, and the balance up to $250 is paid over time through any patronage refunds that the recipient may earn by shopping the store. Our program puts three of the Seven Cooperative Principles into action:

• Everyone is welcome.
• Owners participate financially.
• And as Owners, you participate in steering the Co-op. 

And we are pleased to be partnering with organizations in the community who select Ownership grant recipients for us. We have three program partners now, are in talks with a handful more, and are reaching out to others. Thanks to Nourishing Hope, Swedish Hospital, and Voice of the People for helping us kick off our program!

Our Ownership Grant Program has been jump-started with a $10,000 donation from an anonymous Owner who writes:

"I’m happy to help grow the Owner population, which moves us closer to our goals, while providing individuals with limited financial means an opportunity to become a part of this Co-op. Making Ownership more accessible to all will strengthen our community and is the right action to pursue.”

If you'd like to donate, in any amount, so that others may become Chicago Market Owners with you, click here:

And if you know someone who might like a granted Ownership, point them here: Ownership Grant Program

Thank you, Owners, for steering your store in ways that align with your values!

It's true! You can give someone Chicago Market Ownership!

The perfect gift for that local-food loving, sustainability-minded, community-centric person on your list is the Gift of Co-op Ownership.
Click and rock your holiday shopping:

Basement Improvement

We've had the U.S. Waterproofing crew in recently to install a full drainage system in our basement. It's the first step in transforming our historic Gerber building from raw space to a beautiful grocery store. And you, Owners, made it happen!
  

(before and after)

We have three blog posts documenting the work if you'd like to see the photo essays with descriptions:

First On-Site Physical Work at Chicago Market

Basement Work Continues at Chicago Market 

Our Basement is Looking Spiffy

News from Our Business Owners

Cornerstone Community Outreach is looking for Christmas elves to help wrap gifts for the 120+ children experiencing homelessness in our family programs! Santa's Workshop will be running from December 16-19th with shifts available for both groups and individuals ages 13 and up. Click here for the sign up sheet, to view Christmas wish lists, or to donate to help your Uptown neighbors in need.

Collective Resource Compost: Give the gift of composting! Collective Resource Compost has gift certificates for their composting service and countertop collection containers, for giving a gift that helps mitigate climate change. There aren’t too many gifts like that available. Recipients must be in their service area. Fill out this form on their website.

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Get Involved

We're not making calls to Owners right now, but you may still reach out to us to invest.

 

Not up for investing but want to help your Co-op financially?

• Donate any amount here. (can be tax-deductible and recurring)
• Level Up your Ownership if you're not already a Cultivating Owner.