Our Journey to Trillium Cooperative
How Trillium Cooperative Got Started
Trillium Cooperative was born out of both experience and vision. As our work in cooperative development was coming to an end, we noticed gaps that weren’t being addressed, spaces where communities and organizations needed more support, stronger connections, and practical tools to build lasting impact. With many years of cooperative development and community engagement under our belts, we realized we had the opportunity to create something new: a bridge that helps communities and organizations work together to build a stronger future.
What makes Trillium unique is the diversity of our backgrounds. One of us served as a county commissioner, another worked in the governor’s office, and another has spent years working in Indian Country. By bringing together our networks and professional experiences, we created a team with both the breadth and depth to address challenges from multiple perspectives. Together, we wanted to carry forward the values of cooperation, trust, and self-determination.
Why We Chose the Cooperative Model
When deciding how to structure our business, we asked ourselves: why not just form a traditional LLC? The answer was simple, the cooperative model reflected who we are and how we want to work. As a worker cooperative, each of us is both an owner and a worker, which means decisions are made democratically, profits are shared equitably, and responsibility is collective. This model ensures that our voices are equal, that our contributions are valued, and that the business reflects the principles we practice every day in our consulting.
Choosing a cooperative structure over an LLC wasn’t just a legal decision, it was a values decision. It allows us to embody the very principles we bring into our consulting work, from accountability and transparency to shared growth and community impact. In short, the worker cooperative model makes us stronger together, and it ensures that Trillium itself reflects the bridge-building we do with others.