SUccess!

 

Thanks for your rsvP!

How did you discover CPA Co-op? It’s likely a peer shared our stories with you. Can you take 2 minutes to share our Annual Meeting invite with a friend or colleague?

“The Community Purchasing Alliance enabled my church to get a new roof on our building, and I believe it is divine... We have a miracle." -Rev. Dr. Brian Jackson at Randall Memorial United Methodist Church in DC. Just one of the many stories we can’t wait to tell at this years Annual Meeting!

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Why Electricity Prices Are Spiking — And How We Helped Nonprofits Navigate the Storm Together
Why Electricity Prices Are Spiking — And How We Helped Nonprofits Navigate the Storm Together

In spring 2025, organizations across DC, Maryland, and Ohio found themselves facing unexpected news: a dramatic, across-the-board spike in electricity supply costs beginning in June. For budget-constrained nonprofits—schools, congregations, and community institutions alike—this presented more than a budget line adjustment. It became a source of uncertainty and concern at precisely the time of year when annual budgets are being finalized. What caused this sudden increase? More importantly, what could we do about it?

CPA Co-op Spring/Summer 2025 Newsletter
CPA Co-op Spring/Summer 2025 Newsletter

Last year, the Community Purchasing Alliance Cooperative formed a national network of co-ops, the CPA Network (CPA). Three local co-ops now make up the CPA Network: CPA DC, CPA MA and PowerUp OH. Over the past decade, our flagship co-op in DC has helped community institutions save time and money, secure better contract terms, and shift spend to local and BIPOC-owned businesses on over $150 million dollars of contracting.

Why Nonprofit Insurance Premiums Are Rising - And How to Respond Strategically
Why Nonprofit Insurance Premiums Are Rising - And How to Respond Strategically

Insurance costs are on the rise — and not by small margins. Nonprofits of every shape and size, from charter schools to religious institutions, are experiencing notable spikes in their insurance premiums. Increases of 15% to 30% annually are becoming more common, and many organizations are seeing these jumps despite having no changes to their claims history, asset valuations, or operational risk.

From DC to Tennessee: Why Collaborative Purchasing Makes Sense Everywhere
From DC to Tennessee: Why Collaborative Purchasing Makes Sense Everywhere

I’ve spent years helping build a strong cooperative of charter schools and nonprofits in Washington, DC. Through that work, we’ve learned that thoughtful, collective purchasing can do more than trim budgets. It can build power, strengthen local economies, and reduce the daily burdens shouldered by operations leaders. This trip reminded me just how much appetite there is for that kind of support in places like Tennessee - and how possible it is to bring it there. 

2024 at CPA Co-op: Celebrating 10 Years of Cooperative Purchasing
2024 at CPA Co-op: Celebrating 10 Years of Cooperative Purchasing

As 2024 comes to a close, our team has been reflecting on all that we’ve accomplished collectively this past year. Together, we have saved mission-driven institutions time and money, shifted contract spend to local, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses, and developed a network of peers that can learn from each other and join hands to create meaningful change. We’re grateful for the role that you’ve played in strengthening the co-op and are excited to share a bit about all that we did together this past year!

Building Collective Power Across Multi-State Cooperatives
Building Collective Power Across Multi-State Cooperatives

What happens when we build alliances across regions and leverage the buying power of community institutions for the benefit of our communities? Cooperative group purchasing has the potential to offer savings, insights, and solidarity across state lines that furthers the ability of each member to serve their local community. 

Trust in the Co-op Helps Members Find Big Energy Saving
Trust in the Co-op Helps Members Find Big Energy Saving

Most actors in the energy industry are motivated by profit. They never look at the utility rate and always encourage organizations to sign contracts—sometimes to the organization’s detriment. In the last year, we have consistently sent members to the default utility rate when the utility has been the best option…

Leadership Transition Ushers in a New Season
Leadership Transition Ushers in a New Season

Through this work, you have taught me so much about facility management, school operations, strategic procurement, energy markets, community wealth building, economic development -- and about leadership. I will be forever grateful for what I’ve learned working with and alongside you in building this incredible vehicle for social change.

Passing the Torch: Leadership Changes at CPA
Passing the Torch: Leadership Changes at CPA

After a decade of service and impact at The Community Purchasing Alliance, our much-valued colleague, collaborator, and founding Executive Director Felipe Witchger is moving on to exciting new endeavors in impact-first investing with his new project, the Francesco Collaborative.

Why buy Natural Gas with CPA Co-op?
Why buy Natural Gas with CPA Co-op?

Natural gas markets are spiking in the wake of this month’s winter storm in Texas and ensuing power outages. This kind of market volatility is precisely why community institutions partner with the Community Purchasing Alliance to collectively purchase energy. Is your institution insulated from market risks?