Here is a template for a cooperative business plan for a South African cooperative business seeking grant funding. This is a guide and you can personalize it and add other items. Goodluck with your funding.

Executive Summary

“[Cooperative Name]” is a [type of cooperative, e.g. worker, consumer, producer] cooperative based in [location, e.g. city, town, rural area]. Our mission is to [briefly describe the cooperative’s mission and objectives]. We are seeking [amount] in grant funding to support the implementation of our business plan.

Business Overview

1. Cooperative Structure
   “[Cooperative Name]” is a [type of cooperative, e.g. worker, consumer, producer] cooperative registered in terms of the Cooperatives Act, 2005 (Act No. 14 of 2005). Our cooperative has [number] members, each of whom has [number] shares.
2. Membership
   Our members are [briefly describe the demographics and characteristics of the cooperative’s members]. Membership benefits include [list benefits, e.g. access to markets, training, shared resources].
3. Business Model
   Our cooperative operates a [briefly describe the business model, e.g. production and sale of agricultural products, provision of services] business model. Our products/services are targeted at [briefly describe the target market].

Market Analysis

1. Industry Overview
   The [industry name] industry in South Africa is [briefly describe the industry, including trends and outlook].
2. Market Research
   Our market research has shown that [briefly describe the findings of the market research, including target market demographics, needs, and trends].
3. Competitor Analysis
   Our main competitors are [list competitors and briefly describe their strengths and weaknesses].

Products/Services

1. Description
   “[Cooperative Name]” produces/provides [briefly describe the products/services offered by the cooperative].
2. Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
   Our USP is [briefly describe the cooperative’s USP and how it differentiates from competitors].

Marketing and Sales Strategy

1. Marketing Objectives
   Our marketing objectives are to [briefly describe the cooperative’s marketing objectives].
2. Marketing Strategies
   Our marketing strategies include [list marketing strategies, e.g. advertising, promotions, public relations].
3. Sales Strategy
   Our sales strategy is to [briefly describe the cooperative’s sales strategy, including sales channels and sales projections].

Operations Plan

1. Production/Service Delivery
   Our production/service delivery process is as follows: [briefly describe the production/service delivery process].
2. Supply Chain Management
   Our supply chain management process is as follows: [briefly describe the supply chain management process].
3. Human Resources
   Our human resources plan includes [briefly describe the cooperative’s human resources plan, including staffing, training, and employee development].

Financial Projections

1. Income Statement: Three-year income statement projections
2. Balance Sheet: Three-year balance sheet projections
3. Cash Flow Statement: Three-year cash flow statement projections

Grant Funding Request

We are seeking R [amount] in grant funding to support the implementation of our business plan. The grant funding will be used for [briefly describe the use of funds, e.g. purchase of equipment, training and development, marketing].

Timeline

We anticipate that the grant funding will be used over a period of [length of time, e.g. 6 months, 1 year]. Our timeline for implementation is as follows:

Milestone	Timeline
Purchase of equipment	[date]
Training and development	[date]
Marketing	[date]

Conclusion

“[Cooperative Name]” is a [type of cooperative, e.g. worker, consumer, producer] cooperative that is committed to [Write your objectives]