Cooperatives are businesses that are owned and controlled by their members. The profits from a cooperative are distributed among its members, and the members have a say in how the cooperative is run. Cooperatives can be formed for a variety of purposes, such as providing housing, food, or financial services.
Self-help organizations are non-profit organizations that are formed by people to provide support and services to each other. Self-help organizations can be formed for a variety of purposes, such as providing support for people with disabilities, mental health issues, or substance abuse problems.
The key differences between cooperatives and self-help organizations are as follows:
* Ownership and control: Cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members, while self-help organizations are non-profit organizations.
* Profits: Cooperatives distribute their profits among their members, while self-help organizations do not generate profits.
* Purpose: Cooperatives can be formed for a variety of purposes, such as providing housing, food, or financial services, while self-help organizations are formed to provide support and services to each other.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between cooperatives and self-help organizations:
| Feature | Cooperative | Self-Help Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | Owned and controlled by members | Non-profit organization |
| Profits | Distributed among members | Do not generate profits |
| Purpose | Can be formed for a variety of purposes | Formed to provide support and services to each other |