Thank you for your interest in joining NCG. We’ve summarized the key information that co-ops interested in joining NCG need to know, depending on whether your co-op is established and already operating a retail location or is in the pre-open start-up phase.
The process for applying for NCG membership is as follows:
1. Review NCG membership criteria
NCG has two sets of membership criteria: one for established co-ops that are already operating a retail location and one for start-up co-ops. The criteria for both can be found in our membership background document.
2. Introduce your co-op
Once you confirm that your co-op meets the criteria in the membership background document, we recommend that you contact membership@ncg.coop to schedule an introductory meeting. During this virtual meeting we can get to know one another, talk about the benefits of membership with NCG and answer questions you have. We encourage your co-op’s GM and one or more board members to attend this call. After this call you will be sent a copy of the New Member Application to fill out.
3. Sign-up for CoMetrics
CoMetrics is a technology cooperative and NCG's trusted partner in financial data warehousing and benchmarking. Co-ops that are already open must have eight recent fiscal quarters of history in CoMetrics before the application submission deadline. Before you can begin submitting your trail balance statements to CoMetrics, co-ops must first map their chart of accounts to a common chart of accounts. This isn’t hard, but it can take time. We advise that you initiate this process at least one month before submitting your membership application. To begin, complete this onboarding form and email us at membership@ncg.coop to let us know that you have initiated CoMetrics onboarding.
4. Submit your application
Once you have filled out your application in its entirety and you have onboarded to CoMetrics, you will submit your application and supporting documentation to membership@ncg.coop by the application deadline for which you are applying.
NCG has three application deadlines:
- January 1: NCG’s board reviews applications in April, for an effective member date of May 1.
- June 1: NCG’s board reviews applications in September, for an effective member date of October 1
- October 1: NCG’s board reviews applications the following January, for an effective member date of February 1
Note: Participation in NCG programs takes additional time for set-up and readiness after a co-op is accepted as a member. It can take up to three months to join NCG’s purchasing contract with UNFI (though usually UNFI is able to process requests within two months). It takes an additional month after joining the purchasing contract to start NCG’s Co+op Deals program.
5. Application Processing
Once NCG is in receipt of your co-op’s application, the membership department will conduct an initial review for thoroughness within two weeks of the application deadline. If any documentation is missing or incomplete it may result in your application being deferred to the next cycle. If applicable, a site visit will be scheduled during the processing period alongside a thorough review of the application and supporting documentation. Should your application meet the membership criteria, it will be presented to the NCG Board of Directors for approval.