What We Do
Cooperative Incubation
VOLTS provides a comprehensive training program, project management for the launch phase, access to industry experts, and ongoing technical assistance to new cooperative businesses. This includes both housing cooperatives—focused on creating affordable, dignified housing for our members—and worker cooperatives, which provide quality jobs with democratic ownership. Our support helps these co-ops grow into thriving, member-owned businesses.
Community Real Estate Development
VOLTS acquires, rehabilitates, and prepares buildings for long-term community use. Our real estate work supports the full ecosystem we’re building—developing commercial spaces for our worker cooperatives, multi-unit housing for our members, and office and community space for our nonprofit. Through these projects, we’re creating permanent, community-owned infrastructure that advances economic security and self-determination.
Solidarity Fund
The VOLTS solidarity fund will offer low-interest, quick-approval loans to our cooperative network and its members. This fund will be led by formerly incarcerated individuals and will provide financing for needs such as vehicle purchases, emergency loans, and co-op buy-ins, while also offering our cooperatives support for cash flow, equipment purchases, and vehicle loans. The fund aims to keep wealth circulating within the community and divert individuals from predatory lenders.
Program Areas
Ecosystem Development
VOLTS is committed to fostering a broader cooperative movement throughout the city of Chicago. We work to support and connect with other cooperatives, building a larger cooperative ecosystem that benefits not only our members but also the wider community. This movement promotes economic justice and the cooperative model as a tool for systemic change.
