OUR HISTORY

 

In 1982, The Cooperative Ministry was founded by five churches (First Presbyterian Church, Main Street Methodist, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Washington Street United Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church) in downtown Columbia. The goal was to establish a collaborative method of assisting those in need while preventing the duplication of services. The Cooperative Ministry began offering services on Monday, Sept. 20, 1982.

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Today, The Cooperative Ministry is supported by 61 faith partners joining with corporations, family foundations, community organizations, government agencies, small businesses, and thousands of individuals. The Cooperative Ministry is debt free and governed by a local board of directors. Of all expenses, 89 percent go to support client services. Volunteerism has always been important to The Cooperative Ministry. Today, volunteers comprise 34 percent of our workforce, serving thousands of hours at our building on West Beltline Boulevard.