Our Corporate Structure

clarkson co-op is a non-profit organization, incorporated as a co-operative without share capital

Non-profit organizations and co-ops are member controlled and have missions and goals outside of maximizing financial gain. The primary reason for a co-op to exist is to provide a service that meets the needs of its members, while non-profits have more broadly defined objectives that serve the greater community (not only the members).

Non-profit organizations incorporate as a “corporation without share capital” under the Ontario Corporations Act — this means they do not have the option to purchase shares, and they do not distribute profits as dividends; all profit is reinvested into the organization (for new and expanding projects or programs).

Non-profits, regardless of the corporate structure (co-op or corporation), do not have to operate at-cost. The term “not for profit” indicates that the organization is not operating with the primary purpose of generating money.

Both co-ops and non-profits are member-controlled. Each family has one vote across both platforms. Both types of organizations have a Board of Directors that is elected by the membership and must be members of the organization..