Shared Power. Shared Services. Shared Success.
Carenshare exists to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations band together for greater buying power, shared resources, and long-term resilience. Powered by the Georgia Cooperative Development Center, we’re advancing the Shared Services & Purchasing Cooperative model to lower costs, increase competitiveness, and keep wealth circulating locally.
About Carenshare
Building a Stronger Cooperative Future
Mission
To expand access to Shared Services & Purchasing Cooperatives — empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive together by sharing resources, reducing risk, and growing stronger as a collective.
Vision
An economy where small businesses and independent professionals stand on equal footing with large corporations by collaborating through cooperative infrastructure.
Our Role
Carenshare is an initiative of the Georgia Cooperative Development Center (GCDC), focused on promoting the co-op model in all its forms — especially Shared Services and Purchasing Co-ops. We build an ecosystem of tools, expertise, and partnerships to make this model visible, accessible, and scalable.
Strategic Partnerships
We work with local, national, and global partners — from industry experts to grassroots leaders — to strengthen cooperative supply chains and expand opportunities for shared ownership and economic inclusion.
Why Shared Services & Purchasing Co-ops Matter
Shared Services and Purchasing Cooperatives allow independent businesses and organizations to pool their power — from buying inventory in bulk to sharing marketing, technology, training, and back-office operations. This model helps small players compete at scale, negotiate better pricing, and access tools that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.
Benefits include:
Lower costs and stronger margins
Increased market access and visibility
Shared digital and operational infrastructure
Peer learning and collaboration
Locally anchored ownership and decision-making
Carenshare helps turn this powerful concept into reality — empowering communities to grow stronger, together.
Real Impact. Real Communities.
Across Georgia and beyond, Carenshare is helping local businesses and cooperatives embrace shared services for growth and resilience.
Dozens of entrepreneurs and small businesses exploring shared services models
Growing partnerships with cooperative leaders and development organizations
Strategic support for emerging co-ops in retail, food systems, professional services, and digital media
Learn. Build. Thrive.
Carenshare provides learning pathways and technical assistance to help your co-op idea grow from vision to launch.
Learning Pathways:
Intro to Shared Services & Purchasing Co-ops — on-demand courses explaining the model and its benefits
Carenshare Academy — in-depth training, coaching, and peer networking
Industry-Specific Tracks — tailored programs for digital, retail, food, and wellness cooperatives
Technical Assistance Includes:
Feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis
Governance, tax and legal structure guidance
Vendor negotiation and purchasing strategy
Digital infrastructure planning
Marketing and communications support
Carenshare helps turn this powerful concept into reality — empowering communities to grow stronger, together.
Innovation in Action
We support a growing portfolio of co-op initiatives — from Athens to Atlanta and beyond — each proving that shared ownership fuels shared success.
Current & Emerging Projects
Consumer Co-ops
Partnering with Food Co-op Initiative (FCI) and Clark Atlanta University.
Care Economy Co-ops
Working with Kindred Futures to fund and scale care-focused startups.
Local Food & Farm Supply Co-ops
Strengthening Georgia’s food systems.
Digital Media Shared Services Co-op
Partnering with Digico Global & Identity.coop to connect content creators and agencies through .coop identity branding.
Learn from the Movement
Podcast: Co-op Nation Network Partnership
Spotlighting innovators and cooperative developers reshaping markets with shared ownership and collaboration.
Blog & Case Studies
Explore success stories, lessons learned, and practical tools from thriving Shared Services & Purchasing Co-ops.
Events & Convenings
Join workshops, webinars, and networking events — including Co-op Socials, Convenings, and Conferences — to build community and share knowledge.
Coming Soon: The Carenshare App
Your cooperative toolkit — anywhere, anytime. Stay connected, access shared services, learn on the go, and manage your co-op journey right from your phone.
Launch Date: Available January 1, 2026
Join our newsletter to be notified the moment we launch.
Join the Cooperative Movement
Whether you’re a small business owner, a funder, or a community builder — there’s a place for you in the Carenshare network.
Here's how to connect:
Email us! carenshare@georgiacoopdc.org
Start a Co-op — Get hands-on coaching and feasibility support. Book a Call Now!
- Partner with Us — Fund, mentor, or advise new cooperative ventures.
- Stay Connected — Subscribe to our newsletter and podcast to follow cooperative stories and updates.
- Download our mobile app ( Available January 1)
Learn more about our cooperative movement through georgia.coop
About
Carenshare is an initiative of the Georgia Cooperative Development Center (GCDC), focused on promoting the co-op model in all its forms — especially Shared Services and Purchasing Co-ops. We build an ecosystem of tools, expertise, and partnerships to make this model visible, accessible, and scalable.
© 2025 CareNShare. All rights reserved.