Catalysts for Common Good – Sharing strategies, tools, and skills to help organizations like yours build and empower community.
Our work is adaptive and ever-evolving to best meet the needs of today‘s communities, but we remain grounded in cooperative values, self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity, honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
We are on a journey together. Columinate is building a culture where difference is valued. We believe diversity drives innovation. We embrace multiple approaches and points of view, always aiming for inclusivity. We’re continuously growing our network of people, programs, and tools to help our clients to be effective and successful. We believe that our commitment to inclusion gives us the freedom and the strength to advance the broadest set of initiatives for the common good.
Through our leadership and actions, we influence positive change and contribute to a more just society and economy, where community and the respect and dignity of all people are valued and prioritized. Our commitment applies to our own co-op’s community of consultants and staff and to our clients and their communities, where we stand as part of a larger movement against oppression of all types. Columinate member-consultants have expertise in many areas and work with many types of community impact organizations and co-ops.
We are catalysts for common good, and we are on a journey together.
Columinate is building a culture where difference is valued. We believe diversity drives innovation. We embrace multiple approaches and points of view, always aiming for inclusivity. We’re continuously growing our network of people, programs, and tools to help our clients to be effective and successful. We believe that our commitment to inclusion gives us the freedom and the strength to advance the broadest set of initiatives for the common good.
How We Make An Impact
Governance and Board Support
Columinate consultants are experts in providing board support to co-ops, non-profits and other community impact organizations. Effective governance takes time, talent, training, systems, discipline, and, we would add, support. Our talented governance specialists can help you make the most of your group’s precious time and resources. We offer an award-winning and innovative program for ongoing support that includes customized one-on-one guidance as well as online trainings.
Retail Grocery
Columinate’s roots are in helping people be successful in retail grocery. We grew up with food co-ops and natural foods independent retailers and we have a top-tier set of experts who know what it takes to run successful grocery stores. Our consultants are teachers as well as experts and understand that the store’s management and staff will be the ones to create lasting value from our work. We are especially excited about participating in new healthy food and food access projects in communities that have limited grocery options.
Non-Profit Organizations
Columinate consultants have the skills you need to support your community impact organization. We can help with strategic planning, governance and board support, management reporting to boards, organizational development, diversity, equity and inclusion support, staff and workplace culture surveys, capital campaign support and more.
Rural Electric Co-ops
Columinate consultants have a deep understanding of utility cooperatives. As the industry continues to evolve we can assist co-op boards and employees on how to maximize the strategic advantage of the cooperative business model. We provide governance support for boards and culture training for both boards and employees. Through customized training and ongoing support we help ensure your organization is demonstrating the co-op principles and values to your community.
Resident Owned Communities and Housing Co-ops
Columinate Consultants have the experience and skills needed to support resident owned manufactured housing cooperatives. We work closely with ROC USA by providing management on contract services to ROC USA regional affiliates and participate in the National Association of Housing Cooperatives. Consultants can provide “bench strength” support to augment technical assistance, governance support and community organizing services to boards of directors as well as program design, review and support.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Columinate consultants are working to build a culture where difference is valued. We believe diversity drives innovation. Our consultants bring multiple approaches and points of view forward to support clients in advancing their goals for diversity, equity and inclusion. Whether you need support for your whole organization or are seeking targeted guidance for your board, management, staff or community, our consultants can provide the training, services, support and advice you need.