
Cooperative Leadership Sponsorships
Provides financial support to help cover costs associated with training, professional development, and educational programs for young or emerging leaders interested in the future of cooperatives
and rural communities.
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COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP SPONSORSHIPS
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Ralph K. Morris Foundation Cooperative Leadership program provides financial support to help cover costs associated with training, professional development, and educational programs for young and emerging leaders (particularly those from rural places) interested in the future of cooperatives and communities.
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HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
From the Foundation's creation until the pandemic, we provided stipends and scholarships for individuals to participate in cooperative education events. Since then we've been adapting, along with the organizations we support, to using sponsorships and partnerships as the primary means of engagment. We continue to evolve with the changing environment.
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We have prioritized our giving to Minnesota and Wisconsin: events held here, organizations based here, and/or in support of individuals who reside here.
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ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA
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Funds will be used to support established cooperative education events, professional development, and training programs.
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Organizational applicants (priority) are encouraged to apply for funds that will used to support scholarships for individuals who might otherwise be unable to attend.
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Individual applicants (less typical) must be sponsored by an organization. It is recommended that organizations sponsoring participants provide matching funds of at least 33% of the total program costs (including conference registration and travel expenses).
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Typical support ranges from $300 to $500 (individuals) to $500-$1,500 (organizations).
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Operational or vocational training & formal degree programs are ineligible uses of these funds.
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Recipients are eligible to receive support once per calendar year.
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Morris Foundation trustees and staff, including their immediate families, are ineligible to apply for individual scholarships.
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ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS SUPPORTED IN 2024 INCLUDE:​
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Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE) Institute
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CoMinnesota (relaunch)
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Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) / NCBA CLUSA Co-op Leaders & Scholars
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CooperationWorks!
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The Food Group - Emerging Farmers Conference
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NASCO Institute / Black Equity Leadership Program
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National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda
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National Cooperative Hall of Fame (Cooperative Development Foundation)
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National Farm Business Management Conference
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National Farmers Union College Conference on Cooperatives
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Sustain Dane Summit
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University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives Professional Development Support
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Up and Coming Food Cooperative Conference
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Worker Co-op Conference (US Federation of Worker Co-ops)
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Timelines
Preference will be given to those applications received at least 30 days prior to conference date.
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APPLICATION PROCESS​
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To apply, contact the Ralph K. Morris Foundation at rkmorrisfoundation@gmail.com.
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Please include your contact information and attach a Word document with program information and the requested amount of support.
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Please include a link to the program's website and/or attach a copy of any announcement or flyer describing the program and its registration fee.
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Applicants are encouraged to include a letter signed by a supervisor, advisor, or cooperative liaison from the sponsoring organization (other than the applicant) to indicate an organization’s support of the application.
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Funds must be applied for and approved prior to attending the activity. The Cooperative Leadership Fund will not offer reimbursement for the fees for previously attended activities.
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Organizations that provide training may not request funds for staff attendance at their own training programs.
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If applications are incomplete they will not be processed.
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To apply, email your request and required additional information to rkmorrisfoundation@gmail.com. ​
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SELECTION PROCESS
The Fund is administered and managed by the Ralph K. Morris Foundation.
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All eligible recipients will be approved within the limits of the Fund as stated above and as long as funds are available (on an annual basis) for distribution.
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Notification of the status of each request will be sent via email or regular postal service when a decision is made.
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EVALUATION
Within 30 days of completion of the program, recipients should provide a follow-up report/reflection to rkmorrisfoundation@gmail.com.
FUND SUPPORT
The Ralph K. Morris Foundation, through the generosity of friends of Ralph Morris, established the RKM Cooperative Leadership Fund. Contributions to the Ralph K. Morris Cooperative Leadership Fund are welcome.​