2007 co-op census project

June 20, 2008

2007 Co-op Census Project

David LasbySenior Research Associate

Mark VentryMembership and Communications

Manager

Background - Co-ops Census

Attempted contact with all known Ontario co-operatives• Approximately 600 responses

Conducted by On Co-op • Collection during Summer, 2007• Used a variety of modes:

- Online

- Telephone

- Paper

Sample frame based on On Co-op’s list of co-operatives and supplemented by extensive searches

Co-operatives in Ontario – Key Statistics

• Approximately 1,300 co-operatives in Ontario

• More than 1.4 million members

• Almost $30 billion in assets

• Annual revenues of approximately $4.6 billion

• 49,000 volunteers (10,000 board members)

• 15,500 paid staff

Co-operatives By Organization Type

Co-operatives By Organization Type

Regions of Ontario

Regions of Ontario

Annual Revenue Size

Paid Staff Size

Volunteer Size

Capacity Challenges

Capacity Challenges

External Capacity Challenges

External Capacity Challenges

Major Capacity Challenges – All Co-ops

* Asked of co-operatives that received external funding

Major Capacity Challenges – Housing Co-ops

* Asked of co-operatives that received external funding

Major Capacity Challenges – Financial Co-ops

• Growth in demand for services or products: 60%

• Providing training for board members: 54%

* Asked of co-operatives that received external funding

Major Capacity Challenges – Childcare Co-ops

• Growth in demand for services or products: 64%

• Providing training for board members: 57%

• Earning revenues through membership fees: 54%

* Asked of co-operatives that received external funding

Major Capacity Challenges – Other Co-ops

• Unwillingness to provide funding for core operations*: 71%

• Growth in demand for services or products: 65%

• Obtaining the type of paid staff needed: 55%

* Asked of co-operatives that received external funding

How Do We Use These Statistics?

Figures used as fundamental basis for broad understanding of the sector

•Media releases

•Demonstration of size and scope of co-operatives sector to all

•Presentations to policy makers

•Capacity information used to address sector and sub-sector needs