Seed Commons

In 2022, Seed Commons made 52 below-market rate loans to 37 democratic enterprises which benefited over 3,000 worker-owners. Of those 52 loans, 49 were made to cooperative businesses in The us and 3 were made in nicaragua. Seed Commons continues to focus its work in communities whose populations are low-income, marginalized, and at-risk. The loan selection process involves a double bottom line, wherein we assess The business plan to measure The projected yield in financial benefit to The cooperative and also measure The social impact, which can include such quantifiable parameters as income enhancement (especially when rising above The poverty line), increased employment, and more abstract variables such as capacity development and increased community stability. Since Seed Commons inception, 98% of loans made have been paid back and have substantially increased The capital of The enterprise in three categories: financial, human and social. These loans improved The financial situations of these small businesses and, in most cases, also resulted in a substantial increase in production and employment.