Co-op types
Social-purpose co-ops
A co-operative can pursue a social mission through democratic member ownership. Social enterprise describes a purpose and way of doing business; it is not itself a legal form or proof that an organisation is a co-op. A CIC or charity is not automatically co-operative.
Start with membership
Who belongs?
Members organised around a social purpose. The organisation’s governing documents define who may join, their obligations and their rights.
A useful question to ask
Who owns and controls the organisation, who benefits, and how is the mission reflected in its governing documents?
Model and legal form are different
Co-operative societies, community benefit societies and companies have different legal characteristics. A community benefit society is not simply another name for a co-operative society. A company can be structured co-operatively; a CIC designation alone does not create democratic member ownership.
Credit unions have their own specific regulation. If you are forming or changing an organisation, take its purpose, control, capital requirements and proposed use of assets to a qualified adviser.
Prepare for choosing a structure →