Helpful Resources
This page is a starting point for learning about the ideas that shape Wellspring’s mission and the broader cooperative movement. Whether you’re curious about how worker cooperatives function, the vision of the solidarity economy, or how meaningful policy change happens through non-reformist reforms, you’ll find a mix of videos and articles to get you inspired and informed. These resources reflect our commitment to building an economy rooted in democracy, equity, and community power.
What is a Worker Cooperative?
Worker Cooperatives are an excellent business succession plan for any business that doesn’t want to sell to an outside buyer or just close their doors!
System Change: A Basic Primer to the Solidarity Economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our world. It has laid bare the inequity, the limits, and the failures of capitalism. The door to a better future beyond capitalism, already cracked open by the Great Recession, has been pushed open a little wider.
How to Build a Solidarity Economy: The Logic of Non-Reformist Reforms
As co-coordinators of the US Solidarity Economy Network (USSEN), we routinely face the joys and challenges of working with a wide range of social change agents and organizations to advance an explicitly post-capitalist framework.
Cooperative Startup Guide
Cooperative development isn’t one-size-fits-all—every community and group of worker-owners brings unique needs and strengths to the process. Over the years, we’ve gathered insights, tools, and lessons from hands-on experience, trusted advisors, and fellow organizers. This guide is our way of sharing what we’ve learned. It was created both to document and refine our internal practices and to respond to the growing demand for accessible, practical resources in the cooperative ecosystem. Whether you’re just getting started or supporting others on their journey, we hope this living document helps light the way.