Organization · Grant Maker
The Working World Ngo
The Working World is a nonprofit organization that provides non-extractive microfinance and technical support to worker cooperatives and businesses transitioning to cooperative ownership in the Americas.
Overview
What The Working World Ngo does
What The Working World Ngo is
The Working World is a nonprofit organization that provides non-extractive microfinance and technical support to worker cooperatives and businesses transitioning to cooperative ownership in the Americas.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Grant Maker
- Founded
- Founded in 2004
- Approximate age
- About 22 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder
- Last reviewed
- May 1, 2026
Official channels
Find The Working World Ngo elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
The Working World Ngo as a funder
Investment thesis
The Working World believes that capital should support democratic ownership instead of extracting from workers and communities. It funds productive projects for worker cooperatives, requiring repayment only from revenue generated by the investment, while providing tailored business support.
Focus narrative
The Working World invests in worker cooperatives and traditional businesses transitioning to cooperative ownership. Its approach emphasizes non-extractive finance, allowing businesses to repay loans based on income generated from the investments rather than requiring collateral or incurring debt burdens.
Value beyond capital
The Working World provides not only financial support but also technical assistance and training for new cooperatives, ensuring that they have the resources and knowledge necessary to thrive. This holistic approach helps foster sustainable growth and community empowerment.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Friends and Family · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Series A+
- Regions
- North AmericaLatin America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 6
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: Bright Learning Stars: A worker-owned cooperative daycare in Brooklyn that has successfully expanded and paid off loans while providing profit shares to its worker-owners. DONNA: A worker-owned cocktail bar and restaurant in Manhattan that transitioned to cooperative ownership during the pandemic with support from The Working World. The Drivers Cooperative: A driver-owned rideshare cooperative in New York City that aims to improve pay and working conditions for drivers. Brooklyn Stone & Tile: A stone and tile fabrication cooperative that has received ongoing support and investment from The Working World. New Era Windows: A cooperative formed by former workers of Republic Windows and Doors, which transitioned to cooperative ownership with funding from The Working World. Sí Se Puede! Women’s Cooperative: An eco-friendly housecleaning cooperative in Brooklyn that has expanded its services and product offerings with support from The Working World.
Common questions
What to know about The Working World Ngo
Upseed classifies The Working World Ngo under the Grant Maker organization type. Its current public profile includes funder capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 1, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.