A view into

A geothermal area with a small hot spring bubbling and steam rising, surrounded by dry, cracked earth, with a row of trees in the background and a partly cloudy sky above.

Our Approach

What We Are

Trillium Cooperative is a worker-owned cooperative, meaning each of us are both owners and workers in the business. In a worker cooperative, decisions are made democratically, profits are shared equitably, and responsibility is collectively held, ensuring that our work reflects our shared values. As consultants, we not only practice the cooperative model internally but also carry those principles into the work we do with communities and organizations. This structure embodies accountability, and sustainability at the heart of everything we do. We walk alongside communities as partners, making the process clear, encouraging, and rooted in trust.

Circular diagram titled '7 Co-op Principles' with a cloudy sky background. The circle segments are numbered and colored: 1 in pink, 'Voluntary & Open Membership'; 2 in green, 'Democratic Member Control'; 3 in yellow, 'Member Economic Participation'; 4 in pink, 'Autonomy & Independence'; 5 in teal, 'Education, Info, & Training'; 6 in blue, 'Cooperation Among Cooperatives'; and 7 in purple, 'Concern for Community.' The Trillium Cooperative logo, a purple and green flower, is in the top right corner.

The seven cooperative principles are the foundation of our work at Trillium. We embody these values by practicing shared decision-making, reinvesting in the communities we serve, and fostering partnerships built on trust and reciprocity. By weaving these principles into every project, we ensure our consulting reflects not only technical expertise but also the cooperative spirit of empowerment and sustainability.

At Trillium Cooperative, our goal is to strengthen communities in ways that make our role temporary. True success comes when programs, projects, and organizations can thrive independently, with the tools and confidence to carry forward their own vision. By working ourselves out of a job, we ensure that the impact lasts long after our direct involvement ends

We design our projects to foster self-determination and self-sufficiency, ensuring that communities guide their own path forward. Abundance-based thinking focuses on strengths, assets, and opportunities rather than deficit-based approaches that center only on what is lacking. This mindset allows us to highlight the wisdom, resilience, and creativity already present in communities, while building tools and systems that sustain long-term success. By centering abundance, our projects create space for growth, empowerment, and a future defined by possibility instead of limitation.

Illustration of a flowering plant with purple petals, green leaves, and a yellow center.
Close-up of a white flower with three petals, yellow stamens, and green leaves in the background.

What Does Trillium Stand For?

The trillium flower is a symbol of balance, resilience, and renewal. With three petals that grow in harmony, it reflects the strength that comes from unity and diversity, each part distinct yet essential to the whole. We chose the trillium as our name and emblem because it mirrors who we are: three women bringing together our individual gifts to create something greater together. Just as the trillium thrives in shaded places and brings beauty where it blooms, we strive to build bridges, nurture growth, and create lasting impact in the communities we serve.